length and bolt head shape must be used. The attachment of the
wheels and function of the brake system depend on this.
It may not be possible to use wheel bolts from different vehicles of the
same model.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
Correctly tightened bolts for steel and alloy wheel rims should have a
torque of 88 ft-lbs. (120 Nm). After changing a wheel, have the wheel
bolt tightening torque checked right away with an accurate torque
wrench.
Before you check the tightening torque, replace corroded and diffi-
cult-to-turn wheel bolts and clean the threads in the wheel hub.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel
hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even
if tightened to the required torque.
WARNING
Improperly tightened wheel bolts can come loose while driving
and cause you to lose control over the vehicle, resulting in ac-
cidents and serious injuries.
Only use wheel bolts that belong your vehicle and to the
wheel being installed.
Never use different wheel bolts.
Wheel bolts and wheel hub threads must always be clean,
easy-to-turn and free of oil and grease.
Only use the lug wrench that is supplied with the vehicle to
loosen the wheel bolts.
Loosen the wheel bolts only about 1 turn before lifting the
vehicle with the jack.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the
wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased
or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted
rim rings.
If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the proper torque, the
wheel can come off the vehicle when it is moving. Extremely
high torque can damage the wheel bolts and/or their threads.
2. Switch off the engine. Automatic transmission: shift the transmis-
sion into Park (P)) ⇒ Automatic transmission: Selector lever. Man-
ual transmission only: shift into a gear ⇒ Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever. Then set the electronic parking brake ⇒ Braking
and parking to help prevent the vehicle from moving.
3. If towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park the
trailer properly.
4. Straighten the steering wheel so that the front wheels point straight
forward.
5. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with chocks or other suitable
things.
6. Loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to be changed ⇒ Wheel bolts.
7. Find the jack lift point ⇒ fig. 191 on the vehicle frame that is closest
to the wheel to be changed.
8. Crank up the jack so that it still just fits underneath the lift point.
9. Position the jack so that its base is directly underneath the lift point
⇒ fig. 192, making sure that the entire base of the jack rests se-
curely on the ground.
10. Align the jack and wind up the jack claw at the same time, until
the claw cradles the vertical rib underneath the vehicle ⇒ fig. 192.
11. Continue cranking up the jack until the wheel is just a little off
the ground.
The vehicle may only be lifted by a jack positioned at one of the four
jack lift points ⇒ .
Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the follow-
ing steps in the order listed ⇒ .
1. Find a level spot on firm ground for lifting the vehicle.
2. Switch off the engine. Automatic transmission: shift the transmis-
sion into Park (P)) ⇒ Automatic transmission: Selector lever. Man-
ual transmission: shift into a gear ⇒ Manual transmission: Gear-
shift lever. Then set the electronic parking brake ⇒ Braking and
parking to help prevent the vehicle from moving.
3. If towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park the
trailer properly.
4. Straighten the steering wheel so that the front wheels point straight
forward.
5. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with chocks or other suitable
things.
6. Loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to be changed ⇒ Wheel bolts.
7. Find the jack lift point on the vehicle frame that is closest to the
wheel to be changed.
8. Remove the cover panel in the side sill. To do so, pull forcefully but
carefully in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 193. Secure the cover
panel with the retaining strap.
9. Crank up the vehicle jack so that it still just fits underneath the lift
point.
10. Position the jack so that its base is directly underneath the lift
point ⇒ fig. 194, making sure that the entire base of the jack rests
securely on the ground.
11. Align the jack and wind up the jack claw at the same time, until
the claw cradles the vertical rib underneath the vehicle ⇒ fig. 194.
12. Continue raising the vehicle jack until the wheel is lifted off the
ground.
WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle
with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to
serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery ex-
plosion:
All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks.
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-
tem ⇒ Vehicle battery.
Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-
tance (the booster battery) has the same voltage as the dead
battery (12 V) and about the same amperage capacity (see bat-
tery label).
Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or frozen vehicle
battery. The battery can explode. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has since thawed,
must be replaced.
When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it gives off hydro-
gen gas, which is highly explosive! Always keep fire, sparks,
open flame, and smoking materials far away from vehicle bat-
teries. Never use a mobile telephone while connecting or dis-
connecting jumper cables.
Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated areas. Batteries
give off highly explosive hydrogen gas during jump-starting.
Always route the jumper cables so that they cannot get
caught in any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.
Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle di-
rectly to the negative terminal of the dead battery, as this may
cause the hydrogen gas given off by the dead battery to ex-
plode.
Never attach the negative cable from the vehicle providing
starting assistance to any part of the fuel system or to the
brake hoses or brake lines.
WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle
with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to
serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery ex-
plosion:
All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks.
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-
tem ⇒ Vehicle battery.
Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehi-
cle battery.
Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the posi-
tive cable, then the negative cable.
Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing
starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake
hoses or brake lines.
Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to
touch.
Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery
terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle
battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or
other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the window
clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the
vehicle. Get expert assistance.
Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle
battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the
vehicle battery to ignite.
Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or
frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can ex-
plode. Replace the battery instead.
Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufac-
turer.
Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-
tance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and
about the same capacity (see battery label).