219
Checking and refilling levels
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped
bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and
that the brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you should not use wheel bolts from a different
vehicle, even if it is the same model ⇒ page 189.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.
● The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or
oil to them.
● Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
● If the prescribed torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loos-
en whilst the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening tor-
que is too high, the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
CAUTION
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm. Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.
In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicle's han-
dling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread pattern)
gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pres-
sures specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's reg-
istration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code ⇒ page 217, New tyres and wheels determines the
following speed limits for winter tyres: ⇒
Qmax. 160 km/hSmax. 180 km/hTmax. 190 km/hHmax. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted
tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These
stickers are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal require-
ments of each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with
summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
220Checking and refilling levels
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel
⇒ page 217, New tyres and wheels.
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Other-
wise, this could lead to tyre damage and risk of accident.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres again as soon as possible. They are quieter, do not
wear so quickly and reduce fuel consumption.
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels, and only for the follow-
ing tyres:
175/70R14
185/60R15Chains with links not exceeding 15 mm (including the chain
closure)
215/45R16Chains with links not exceeding 9 mm (including the chain
closure)
215/40R17Chains with links not exceeding 7 mm (including the chain
closure)
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains. For
safety reasons cover caps, available in any Authorised Service Centre, must
then be fitted over the wheel bolts.
WARNING
Snow chains should be correctly tightened in accordance with the manu-
facturer's instructions. This will prevent the chains coming into contact
with the wheel housing.
CAUTION
Remove the snow chains to drive on roads without snow. Otherwise they
will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.
Note
In some countries, the speed limit for using snow chains is 50 km/h. The
legal requirements of the country should be followed.
221
If and when
If and when
Vehicle tools, spare wheel
Vehicle Tools
The vehicle onboard tools are located under the floor panel
in the luggage compartment.
– Lift floor panel
– Take the on-board tools out of the vehicle.
The tool kit includes:
● Jack*
● Hook to remove integral* trim and screw caps.
● Box spanner for wheel bolts*
● Towing ring*
● Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Some of the items listed are only provided in certain model versions, or are
optional extras.
WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed for changing wheels on
this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting heavier vehicles or
other loads. Risk of injury.
● Use the jack only on a firm, level ground.
WARNING (Continued)
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack. Risk of acci-
dent.
● If work is to be carried out underneath the vehicle, this must be se-
cured by suitable means. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.
Spare wheel (emergency wheel)*
The spare wheel (emergency wheel) must only be used for
the minimum necessary time. The temporary spare wheel is stored under the floor panel in the luggage
compartment and is attached by a thumbnut.
How to use the temporary spare wheel
If you ever have a punctured tyre or loss of pressure, the emergency wheel
is only intended for temporary use until you reach a workshop. Change it for
a duty wheel as soon as possible.
Please note the following restrictions when using the temporary spare
wheel. This spare wheel has been specially designed for your vehicle, thus,
it cannot be changed with the spare wheel from another vehicle.
No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on the
compact temporary spare wheel rim.
Snow chains
For technical reasons, snow chains must not be used on the compact tem-
porary spare wheel.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
223
If and when
CAUTION
If you have to change the wheel on a slope, it is essential to lock the parallel
wheel on the same axle as that to be changed, with a wedge or similar in
order to immobilise the vehicle.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below
– Remove the hub caps or the integral trim .
– Slacken the wheel bolts .
– Raise the car with the jack at the corresponding point.
– Remove the wheel and then fit the spare wheel.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly with the box spanner.
– Replace the hub cap.
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel there are still tasks to complete. – Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment. –
Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the luggage compart-
ment and secure it.
– Check the tyre pressure of the newly fitted tyre as soon as pos-
sible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench. The prescribed torque must
be 120 Nm.
Note
● If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the wheel bolt tor-
que checked.
● For safety reasons, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt tight-
ening torque has been checked.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
224If and when
Wheel covers*
The wheel covers must be removed for access to the wheel
bolts
Fig. 144 Remove the
complete hub cap
Removing
– Remove the wheel cover using the wire hook ⇒ fig. 144.
– Hook this into one of the cut-outs of the wheel cover.
Fitting
– Fit the wheel cover onto the wheel rim by pressing it firmly. Put
pressure initially on the point of the cut-out for the valve. Next
fit the rest of the hubcap Loosening the wheel bolts
The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising the vehicle.
Fig. 145 Changing the
wheel: loosen the wheel
bolts
Loosening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt.
– Grasp the box spanner by the end turn it about one full turn to
the left ⇒ fig. 145.
Tightening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt.
– Grasp the box spanner close to the end and turn the bolt to the
right until it is secured.
– An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft
wheel bolts.
225
If and when
WARNING
Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before raising the vehicle
with the jack, otherwise there is a risk of accident.
Note
● If the wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing
down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the vehicle
for support and take care not to slip.
Raising the vehicle
In order to remove the wheel, the vehicle must be raised
with a jack.
Fig. 146 Jack position
points
Fig. 147 Fitting the jack
– Locate the jacking point under the door sill closest to the wheel
to be changed ⇒ fig. 146.
– Place the jack under the jacking point and turn the crank until
the arm of the jack is directly below the vertical rib under the
door sill.
– Align the jack so that the arm of the jack fits around the rib un-
der the door sill and the movable base plate of the jack is flat
on the ground ⇒ fig. 147.
– Raise the jack until the defective wheel is just clear of the
ground.
Recesses at the front and rear of the door sills mark the jacking points
⇒ fig. 146. There is only one jacking point for each wheel. Do not fit the jack anywhere else.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
226If and when
An unstable surface under the jack may cause the vehicle to slip off the
jack. Therefore, the jack must be fitted on solid ground offering good sup-
port. Use a large and stable base, if necessary. On a hard, slippery surface
(such as tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
WARNING
● Take all precautions so that the base of the jack does not slip. Failure
to do so could result in an accident.
● The vehicle can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip off
suddenly if it is not properly engaged.
Removing and fitting the wheel
For removal and fitting the wheel, the following tasks must
be completed.
After loosening the wheel bolts and raising the vehicle with the
jack, change the wheel as described below:
Removing a wheel
– Unscrew the wheel bolts using the box spanner and place them
on a clean surface.
Fitting a wheel
– Screw on the wheel bolts and tighten slightly with the box
spanner.
The wheel bolts should be clean and easily screwed. Before fitting the spare
wheel, inspect the wheel condition and hub mounting surfaces. These sur-
faces must be clean before fitting the wheel. If tyres with a specific direction of rotation are fitted, note the direction of
rotation.
Anti-theft wheel bolts*
A special adapter is required to turn the anti-theft wheel
bolts. This is found in the tool box.
Fig. 148 Anti-theft
wheel bolt
– Insert the adapter onto the wheel bolt and push it on as far as it
will go ⇒ fig. 148.
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the adapter.
– Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt as appropriate.
Code
The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt is stamped onto the front part
of the adaptor.
255
Description of specifications
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing bracket
must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow approach-
ing the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will
be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with a
wheelbase of less than 1 metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar load.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80 km/h limit. This is also valid
in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the drawbar load. If the
permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel bolts
Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. The slightly
raised pressures of warm tyres must not be reduced. ⇒
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels, and only for the follow-
ing tyres:
175/70R14
185/60R15Chains with links not exceeding 15 mm (including the chain
closure)
215/45R16Chains with links not exceeding 9 mm (including the chain
closure)
215/40R17Chains with links not exceeding 7 mm (including the chain
closure)
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
● Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Checking the tyre
pressure is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low,
there is an increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen while the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Authorised Service Centre for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications