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270Vehicle careWheel coversWheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination
requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Vehicles with steel wheels: When
using locking wheel nuts, do not
attach wheel covers.
Tyre chains
Use tyre chains only on front wheels.
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon,
Sports tourer
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain
lock).
Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 205/60 R16 and
215/50 R17.3-door hatchback
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 225/55 R17. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
Tyre chains are also permitted on
tyres of size 245/45 R18. Always use
fine mesh chains that add no more
than 7 mm to the tyre tread and the inboard sides (including chain lock).VXR Version
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 235/45 R18. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).General
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Page 277 of 343
Vehicle care275
Install the wheel wrench ensuring
that it locates securely and loosen
each wheel nut by half a turn.
Variants 1b, 2 and 3 with foldable
wheel wrench:
Fold out the wheel wrench and
install ensuring that it locates
securely and loosen each wheel
nut by half a turn.
The wheels might be protected by
locking wheel nuts. To loosen
these specific nuts first attach the
adapter onto the head of the nut
before installing the wheel
wrench. The adapter is located in
the glovebox.
3. Ensure the jack is correctly positioned under the relevant
vehicle jacking point.
Some versions have sill
panellings with covered vehicle
jacking points: pull out the cover
at the respective jacking point
firstly.
4. 3-door / 5-door hatchback and
4-door saloon, jack variants 1a,
1b and 3, 3 262:
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Vehicle care27710. Align the valve hole in the wheelcover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
Install centre cap on alloy wheels.
11. Install vehicle jacking point cover on versions with sill panelling.
12. Stow the replaced wheel 3 277,
the vehicle tools 3 262 and the
adapter for the locking wheel nuts
3 61.
13. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.Jacking position for lifting platform
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform centrically under the recess
of the sill.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
If mounting a spare wheel, which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.
The spare wheel has always a steel
rim.Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
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Vehicle care279
4. Insert the strap through thespokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear lashing
eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the spare wheel well,
Sports Tourer and 4-door saloonVehicles equipped with a full size
spare wheel:
A damaged full size wheel must be
stowed outside up in the spare wheel
well secured with the wing nut.
The floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
Vehicles equipped with a temporary
spare wheel:
Secure a damaged full size wheel
outside up with the wing nut in the
spare wheel well after exchanging thethread bolt by an extension bolt,
placed in the tool bag 3 262. To
replace the bolt:
1. Install the hexagon key of the wheel wrench ensuring that it
locates securely on the bolt.
2. Turn the wheel wrench anticlockwise to loosen the bolt.
Remove the bolt.
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Vehicle care281they are not fixed properly. During
a sudden stop or a collision, loose equipment could strike someone.
Store jack and tools always in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load compartment must always be
secured by the strap.
Temporary spare wheel
Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in
the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 270.
Spare wheel with directional tyre
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.
● Never expose the vehicle battery
to naked flames or sparks.
Page 290 of 343
288Vehicle careClothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible discolourations, especially on light-
coloured upholstery. Removable
stains and discolourations should be
cleaned as soon as possible.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water or interior cleaner.Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open
Velcro fasteners on clothing could damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with
sharp-edged objects, like zips or
belts or studded jeans.
Plastic and rubber parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be
cleaned with the same cleaner as
used to clean the body. Use interior cleaner if necessary. Do not use any
other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol
in particular. Do not use high-
pressure jet cleaners.
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Technical data293Information on identification label:1:manufacturer2:type approval number3:vehicle identification number4:permissible gross vehicle weightrating in kg5:permissible gross train weight
in kg6:maximum permissible front axle
load in kg7:maximum permissible rear axle
load in kg8:vehicle-specific or country-
specific data
The combined total of front and rear
axle loads must not exceed the
permissible gross vehicle weight. For
example, if the front axle is bearing its
maximum permissible load, the rear
axle can only bear a load that is equal
to the gross vehicle weight minus the front axle load.
The technical data is determined in
accordance with European
Community standards. We reserve
the right to make modifications.
Specifications in the vehicle
documents always have priority over
those given in this manual.
Engine identification
The technical data tables show the
engine identifier code. Engine data
3 297.
To identify the respective engine,
refer to the engine power in the EEC
Certificate of Conformity provided
with your vehicle or other national
registration documents.