2013 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class Owner's Manual

Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels
and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(Y page 344).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Notes on driving
If
the vehicle is heavily loaded, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, may be damaged. Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn,

old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage at least once a
month, as well as after driving off-road or
on rough roads. Damage includes bulges
and deformation on tires, cuts, punctures,
cracks or severe corrosion on wheels, for example. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the

condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire (Y page 319). In order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface,
turn the steering wheel to full lock.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve other than
the standard valve cap or a valve cap
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your
vehicle.
Do not install anything onto the valve, such
as tire pressure monitoring systems.
R You should regularly check the pressure of
all your tires including the spare wheel,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the
tire pressure as necessary ( Y page 327).
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the

treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible
at approximately á inches (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches â inches (3 mm) the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely. Operation
319
Wheels and tires Z

Mark
: is a visual warning on the tread wear
indicators (TWI). The arrow indicates the
placement of the tire tread.
Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth. tire traction on wet road surfaces
decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The
recommended tread depth for winter tires is
at least 1
/ 6 in (4 mm). Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount approved tires of the correct
size onto the wheels.
R Tires are supplied with a protective layer
from the factory. Break in new tires at
moderate speeds for the first 60 miles
(100 km). They only reach their full
performance after this distance. R
Do
not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth. as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after six years at the
latest, regardless of wear. This also applies
to the spare wheel. Winter operation
General notes
Have
your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section ( Y page 340). Driving with summer tires
At
temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity significantly, and
therefore traction and braking power as well.
Change the tires on your vehicle to
M+S tires. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã
in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ã
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately. G
WARNING
The spare wheel and M+S tires have different
tire characteristics. Driving characteristics
can

be severely impaired when you mount the
spare wheel. There is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
and drive carefully. Have the spare wheel 320
Winter operation
Wheels and tires

replaced with a new wheel with an M+S tire
at the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use all-
season
tires or winter tires. Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Not all tires with the M+S marking provide the
driving characteristics of winter tires. In
addition to the M+S marking, winter tires also
have the i snowflake symbol on the tire
wall. Tires with this marking fulfill the
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) regarding snow
traction, and were specially developed for
driving on snow. Only these tires will allow
driving safety systems such as ABS and
ESP ®
to function optimally in winter, since
these tires have been designed specifically
for driving on snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on
all wheels to maintain safe handling
characteristics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have installed the M+S tires:
X Check the tire pressures (Y page 325).
X Restart the tire pressure monitor
(Y page 327).
i You can obtain information about winter
tires that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz especially for your vehicle
at any Mercedes-Benz Service center.
i For further information about tires, see
(Y page 346). Snow chains
! Information about the use of snow chain
compatible AMG winter tires is applicable
for AMG tires. Use of snow chains is only
permissible with these tires. !
On some tire sizes there is not enough
space
for snow chains. To avoid damage to
the vehicle or tires, observe the "Wheel and
tire combinations" section under "Tires and
wheels".
! If snow chains are mounted on the front
wheels, the snow chains could grind
against the bodywork or components of the
chassis. This could result in damage to the
vehicle or the tires.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use snow chains
that have been specially approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a
corresponding standard of quality.
R Only use snow chains when driving on
roads completely covered by snow.
Remove the snow chains as soon as
possible when you are no longer driving on
snow-covered roads.
R Local regulations may restrict the use of
snow chains. Observe the relevant
regulations when mounting snow chains.
R Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
R Snow chains cannot be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 62).
R Mount snow chains only in pairs and only
on the rear wheels. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
i You may wish to deactivate
ESP ®
(Y page 62) when pulling away with
snow chains installed. This way you can
allow the wheels to spin in a controlled
manner, achieving an increased driving
force (cutting action). Winter operation
321
Wheels and tires Z

Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires
including the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The
specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire
pressure tables are examples. Tire
pressure specifications are vehicle-specific
and may deviate from the data shown here.
The tire pressure specifications that are
valid for your vehicle can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with a trailer:
the applicable
value for the rear tires is the maximum tire
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap. Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
:
Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Y page 328).
The Tire and Loading Information placard
contains

the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires. The recommended tire pressures
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible vehicle
speed.
Tire pressure table Example: tire pressure table for all tires permitted
for this vehicle by the factory
The

tire pressure table is on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
The tire pressure table contains the
recommended pressures for cold tires for
various operating conditions, i.e. differing
load and speed conditions. 322
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Example: tire pressure table with tire dimensions
If
a tire size precedes a tire pressure, the tire
pressure information following is only valid
for that tire size. The load conditions "partially
laden" and "fully laden" are defined in the
table for different numbers of occupants and
amounts of luggage. The actual number of
seats may differ. Some tire pressure tables only show the rim
diameter instead of the complete tire size,
e.g. R16. The rim diameter is part of the tire
size and can be found on the tire sidewall
(Y page 334).
If the tire pressures have been set to the
lower values for lighter loads and/or lower
road speeds, the pressures should be reset
to the higher values:
R
if you want to drive with an increased load
and/or
R if you want to drive at higher road speeds.
i The tire pressures for increased loads
and/or higher road speeds, shown in the
tire pressure table, may have a negative
effect on driving comfort. If the tire pressure is not set correctly, this
can

lead to an excessive build up of heat and
a sudden loss of pressure.
For more information, contact a qualified
specialist workshop. Important notes on tire pressure
G
WARNING
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tire may be damaged. Tire
pressure that is too low may result in a tire
blow-out. There is a risk of an accident.
R Check the tire for foreign objects.
R Check

whether the wheel is losing air or the
valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage,
contact a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tire
valves,
the tire valves may be overloaded and
malfunction, which can cause tire pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tire
pressure monitors keep the tire valve open.
This can also result in tire pressure loss. There
is a risk of an accident.
Only screw the standard valve cap or other
valve caps approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tire valve.
Use a suitable pressure gauge to check the
tire pressure. The outer appearance of a tire
does not permit any reliable conclusion about
the tire pressure. On vehicles equipped with
the electronic tire pressure monitoring
system, the tire pressure can be checked
using the on-board computer.
The tire temperature and pressure increase
when the vehicle is in motion. This is
dependent on the driving speed and the load.
Therefore, you should only correct tire
pressures when the tires are cold. Tire pressure
323
Wheels and tires Z

The tires are cold:
R
if the vehicle has been parked without
direct
sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has been driven for less than
1 mile (1.6 km).
The tire temperature changes depending on
the outside temperature, the vehicle speed
and the tire load. If the tire temperature
changes by 18 ‡ (10 †), the tire pressure
changes by approximately 10 kPa (0.1 bar/
1.5 psi). Take this into account when
checking the pressure of warm tires. Only
correct the tire pressure if it is too low for the
current operating conditions. If you check the
tire pressure when the tires are warm, the
resulting value will be higher than if the tires
were cold. This is normal. Do not reduce the
tire pressure to the value specified for cold
tires. The tire pressure would otherwise be
too low.
Observe the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the following for the tire pressure on
the spare wheel:
R the tire and loading information table on
the B-pillar on the driver's side.
R the tire pressure sticker on the inside of the
fuel filler flap. Underinflated or overinflated tires
Underinflation G
WARNING
Tires with pressure that is too low can
overheat and burst as a consequence. In
addition,

they also suffer from excessive and/
or irregular wear, which can severely impair
the braking properties and the driving
characteristics. There is a risk of an accident. Avoid tire pressures that are too low in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Underinflated tires may:
R overheat, leading to tire defects
R have an adverse effect on handling
characteristics
R wear quickly and unevenly
R have

an adverse effect on fuel consumption
Overinflation G
WARNING
Tires with excessively high pressure can burst
because they are damaged more easily by
road debris, potholes etc. In addition, they
also suffer from irregular wear, which can
severely

impair the braking properties and the
driving characteristics. There is a risk of an
accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too high in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Overinflated tires may:
R increase the braking distance
R have an adverse effect on handling
characteristics
R wear quickly and unevenly
R have an adverse effect on ride comfort
R be more susceptible to damage
Maximum tire pressures :
Example: maximum permissible tire
pressure324
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Never exceed the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure. Always observe the
recommended tire pressure for your vehicle
when adjusting the tire pressure
(Y page 338).
i
The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific
and may deviate from the values in
the illustration. Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notes Observe the notes on tire pressure
(Y page 322).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R
on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar
(Y page 322)
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap ( Y page 322)
R in the "Tire pressure information" section
R in the "Tire pressure information" section
(Y page 322)
Checking tire pressures manually To determine and set the correct tire
pressure, proceed as follows:
X
Remove the valve cap of the tire that is to
be checked.
X Press the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.
X Read the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading

Information placard on the B-pillar
on the driver's side of your vehicle
(Y page 322).
X The tire pressure is too low:
increase the
tire pressure to the recommended value.
X The tire pressure is too high:
press down
the metal pin in the valve using the tip of a
pen, for example.
Air is released from the tire. X
Check the tire pressure again with the tire
pressure gauge.
X Screw the valve cap onto the valve.
X Repeat these steps for the other tires. Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.

If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate if the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS Tire pressure
325
Wheels and tires
Z

malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will
flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the
vehicle is started as long as the malfunction
exists.
When
the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure suitable for the operating situation
(Y page 322). Note that the correct tire
pressure for the current operating situation
must first be taught-in to the tire pressure
monitor. If there is a substantial loss of
pressure, the warning threshold for the
warning message is aligned to the reference
values taught-in. Restart the tire pressure
monitor after adjusting to the cold tire
pressure ( Y page 327). The current
pressures are saved as new reference values.
As a result, a warning message will appear if
the tire pressure drops significantly.
The tire pressure monitor does not warn you
of an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tire pressure
(Y page 322).
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tire is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering maneuvers. If a tire pressure monitor system is installed,
the vehicle's wheels have sensors installed
that
monitor the tire pressures in all four tires.
The tire pressure monitor warns you if the
pressure drops in one or more of the tires. The
tire pressure monitor only functions if the
correct wheel electronics units are installed
on each wheel.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow
warning lamp in the instrument cluster for
indicating pressure loss/malfunctions (USA)
or pressure loss (Canada). Whether the
warning lamp flashes or lights up indicates
whether a tire pressure is too low or the tire
pressure monitor is malfunctioning:
R if the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is
significantly too low. The tire pressure
monitor is not malfunctioning.
R USA only: if the warning lamp flashes for
around a minute and then remains lit
constantly, the tire pressure monitor is
malfunctioning.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display. After a few minutes
of driving, the current tire pressure of each
tire is shown in the multifunction display.
USA only: if there is a malfunction with the
tire pressure monitor it can take more than
ten minutes until the malfunction is shown by
the tire pressure warning lamp flashing for
approximately one minute and then lighting
up continuously. When the malfunction has
been rectified, the tire pressure warning lamp
goes out after a few minutes of driving.
The tire pressure values indicated by the on-
board computer may differ from those
measured at a gas station with a pressure
gauge. The tire pressures shown by the on-
board computer refer to those measured at
sea level. At high altitudes, the tire pressure
values indicated by a pressure gauge are
higher than those shown by the on-board
computer. In this case, do not reduce the tire
pressures. 326
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires