259
Wheels and tyres
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 230.
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
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 tightening 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 tightening 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 fuel 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 documentation. 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 257, New tyres and wheels determines the
following speed limits for winter tyres: ⇒
max. 160 km/h (100 mph)
max. 180 km/h (110 mph)
max. 190 km/h (118 mph)
max. 210 km/h (130 mph)
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 Technical Service. The legal requirements 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.
Q
S
T
H
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
265
If and when
– The inflation pressure of the newly fitted spare tyre must be
checked as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench. It must be 120 Nm (always
when cold)
– Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as possible.
Note
● If you notice that the wheel bolts are rusty and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the tightening tor-
que checked.
● For safety reasons, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt tight-
ening torque has been checked. Loosening and tightening the wheel bolts
The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising the vehicle.
Fig. 197 Changing a
wheel: Loosen the wheel
bolts
Loosening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and turn
the wheel bolts about one turn anticlockwise ⇒ Fig. 197 (ar-
row).
Tightening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and tight-
en the bolt firmly by turning clockwise.
1)
An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts* ⇒ page 267.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
305
Description of specifications
Towing a trailer Trailer weights
Trailer weight
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive tri-
als according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in the EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) (in
certain circumstances up to 100 km/h (60 mph). The figures may be differ-
ent in other countries. All data in the official vehicle documentation takes
precedence over these data at all times ⇒
.
Drawbar loads
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 (50 mph) 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
fuel 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.
Consult the section “wheels” of this manual.
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 tightening torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loos-
en while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening tor-
que is too high, the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Technical Service for information about
appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
Emergency activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260, 305
Solar-powered blower/sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Solar sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Spare keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Spare wheel Steel rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Speed warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85
Speed warning function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Start-Stop Activating and deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Steam jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Steering Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Manual steering wheel adjustment . . . . . 173
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Switches on the driver door Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Symbols Red symbols in central display . . . . . . . . . . 80
Yellow symbols on central display . . . . . . . 82
T Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
The danger of not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . 21 The environment
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Warming up the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . 305
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208, 299 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Notes on towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208, 209
Removable towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Towline anchorage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Tow starting General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Traction control system How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Traction control system (ASR) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Turn signal lamps Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trailer turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 93, 251
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tyre repair kit Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tyres useful life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . 251
U Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Upholstery Treating your upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
V
Vehicle care Treating your upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle maintenance electrically adjustable seats . . . . . . . . . . . 226
heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
natural leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
322 Index
non-electrically adjustable seats . . . . . . . 226
seats with airbag components . . . . . . . . . 226
seats without airbag components . . . . . . 226
synthetic leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
trim fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
unheated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Vehicle paintwork Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 218
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
W Warning lamp Alternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Warning lamps Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Engine management (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exhaust emission control system . . . . . . . . 68
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Red symbols in central display . . . . . . . . . . 80
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Yellow symbols on central display . . . . . . . 82
Warning lamps - overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 220 Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251, 305 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 29
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus- ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20, 29
Windows Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Windscreen wiper blades Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Changing blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Changing the rear wiper blade . . . . . . . . . 245
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Washer jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Winter Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Winter conditions Defrost function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Winter driving Diesel engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Winter operation Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Wiper and washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Wooden trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
323
Index