
otherwise automatically intervene. The
brake
system could otherwise be damaged.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline.
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation
of fuel vapors are damaging to your
health. G
WARNING
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gasoline
to spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury. G
WARNING
E85 fuel (ethanol) and its vapours are
poisonous, highly flammable and highly
combustible. E85 fuel can cause serious
injury
if ignited, if you come into contact with
it you or if you inhale fuel vapors. Avoid
inhaling E85 fuel vapors and avoid skin
contact with E85 fuel. Extinguish any open
flames before refueling. Keep sparks away
from E85 fuel, and do not smoke. !
Do
not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel
system and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you
accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Fuel" section
(Y page 362). Refueling
Opening/closing the fuel filler flap :
To open the fuel filler flap
; To insert the fuel filler cap
= Tire pressure table
? Fuel type to be used
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked
automatically when you open or close the Refueling
165
Driving and parking Z

Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
You can find information on what to do in the
event of a flat tire in the "Breakdown
assistance" section (Y page 308).
Instructions for driving with MOExtended
tires in the event of a flat tire are also provided
there.
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 308) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. Instructions for
driving with MOExtended tires in the event of
a flat tire are also provided there. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the
wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of
accident.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop. Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
(Y page 345).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ,
depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (5,000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear requires
this. Do not change the direction of wheel
rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tire pressure loss
warning system or the tire pressure monitor. Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have
additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation. Storing wheels
Store
wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters)
can cause invisible exterior damage344
Changing a wheel
Wheels and tires

Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline.
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation
of fuel vapors are damaging to your
health.
Tank capacity Model Total
capacity All models
17.4 US gal
(66.0 l) Model Of which
reserve All models
Approx.
2.1 US gal (8.0 l) Gasoline
Fuel grade
!
Do
not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel
system and engine.
! You should only refuel with unleaded
premium-grade gasoline as this avoids
damaging the catalytic converter.
If engine running problems are apparent,
have the cause checked immediately and
repaired. Excess unburned fuel can
otherwise enter the catalytic converter,
leading to overheating and possibly
causing a fire.
! To ensure the longevity and full
performance of the engine, only premium-
grade unleaded gasoline may be used. If there is no premium-grade unleaded
gasoline available and regular unleaded
gasoline
must be used, please observe the
following precautions:
R only fill the fuel tank to half full with
regular unleaded gasoline and fill the rest
with premium-grade unleaded gasoline
as soon as possible.
R do not drive at the maximum speed.
R avoid sudden acceleration.
R if the vehicle is carrying a light load, e.g.
two passengers without luggage, do not
allow the engine to rev above 3000 rpm.
R if the vehicle is fully loaded or is being
operated in mountainous terrain, do not
depress the accelerator pedal further
than Ô of the pedal travel.
Only refuel using premium-grade unleaded
gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline with additives can be used.
The concentration of additives in the fuel,
however, must not exceed 10%, e.g.:
R Ethanol
R TAME
R ETBE
R IPA
R TBA
For MTBE, the concentration should not
exceed 15%.
The concentration of methanol in gasoline,
including other additives, must not exceed
3%.
Using mixtures of methanol and ethanol is not
permitted. Gasohol, a mixture of 10% ethanol
and 90% unleaded gasoline, may be used.
All of these mix fuels must fulfill the fuel
requirements, e.g.:
R knock resistance
R boiling point
R vapor pressure
You will usually find information about the fuel
grade on the pump. If you cannot find the Service products and filling capacities
363
Technical data Z