Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar load)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that may act on the ball coupling of the trailer
tow hitch.
Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are dis-
tributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread is
level with the bars, the wear limit of 00CDin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over
designated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight
Nominal load and goods/luggage load plus
68 kg (150 lbs) multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle. Flat tire
General notes
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel.
The spare wheel is under the vehicle at the
rear (Y page 313).
Information about fitting a wheel can be found
in the "Wheel change" section (Y page 308).
When you replace a tire, we recommend that
you also replace the tire valve. Please observe
the safety-relevant information on tire valve
(Y page 292). Changing wheels
Rotating 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 acci-
dent.
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 elec-
tronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
(Y page 308).
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 inter-
vals in the tire manufacturer's warranty book
in your vehicle documents. If no warranty
book is available, the tires should be rotated
every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (5,000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if tire wear requires. Do
not change the direction of rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is rotated. Check the tire pressure and reac-
tivate the tire pressure monitor if necessary. Changing wheels
307Wheels and tires Z
Wheels with centering by wheel bolts:
X
Vehicles with alloy wheels: take the short
wheel bolts that fit the steel spare wheel
out of the vehicle tool kit.
X Screw in the wheel bolts and tighten them
lightly.
For wheels with wheel nuts:
X Front wheels with wheel nut covers: press
the wheel nut covers onto the wheel nuts.
X Screw in the three wheel nuts over the fix-
ing discs of the wheel nut cover.
X Turn the wheel so that the wheel bolts are
in the middle of the holes.
X Screw on the rest of the wheel nuts.
X Slightly tighten all the wheel nuts.
Lowering the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts
and bolts are not tightened to the specified
tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.
Have the tightening torque immediately
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
after a wheel is changed.
! Only use the jack pump lever middle rod
and the rod with the largest diameter as a
lug wrench extension. Only slide the middle
rod as far as it will go onto the lug wrench.
The rods may otherwise bend and be dis-
torted to such an extent that they can no
longer be used as a pump lever for the jack. Tightening torque pattern
0043—0084
Wheel bolts or wheel nuts
X Using the pump lever, slowly turn the low-
ering screw on the jack through approx-
imately one revolution and carefully lower
the vehicle (Y page 309).
X Put the jack aside.
X Pull the rod with the smallest diameter off
the pump lever.
The shortened pump lever serves as a lug
wrench extension.
X Starting with the middle rod, slide the lug
wrench extension as far as it will go onto
the lug wrench.
X Using the extended lug wrench, tighten the
wheel bolts evenly in a crosswise pattern in
the sequence indicated (0043 to0084).
Tighten the wheel bolts to the following
tightening torques:
R Steel wheel 177 lb-ft(240 Nm)
R Light-alloy wheel 133 lb-ft(180 Nm)
Tighten the wheel nuts to a tightening tor-
que of 133 lb-ft (180 Nm).
X Push the piston on the hydraulic jack in
again and close the pressure release
screw.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the vehicle again.
i You can now install the hub caps on steel
wheels with wheel bolts. The installing pro-
cedure depends on whether the hub cap
acts as a trim that covers the whole wheel,
or just covers the center. 312
Changing wheelsWheels and tires
