Definition of terms ......................... 392
Direction of rotation ...................... 395
Display message ............................ 285
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 395
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 393
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 392
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 393
General notes ................................ 399
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 393
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 393
Important safety notes .................. 374
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 393
Information on driving .................... 374
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 393
Labeling (overview) ........................ 389
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 394
Load index ..................................... 391
Load index (definition) ................... 393
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 394
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 393
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 394
Maximum tire load ......................... 391
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 394
MOExtended tires .......................... 376
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 394
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 394
Replacing ....................................... 395
Service life ..................................... 376
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 394
Snow chains .................................. 377
Speed rating (definition) ................ 393
Storing ........................................... 395
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 392
Summer tires in winter .................. 376
Temperature .................................. 388TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 394
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 394
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 394
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 393
Tire size (data) ............................... 399
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 389
Tire tread ....................................... 375
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 394
Total load limit (definition) ............. 395
Traction ......................................... 388
Traction (definition) ....................... 394
Tread wear ..................................... 388
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 387
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 393
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 394
Wheel and tire combination ........... 401
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 393
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 63
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 370
Important safety notes .................. 367
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissible .................... 416
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 349
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 232
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 233
Driving tips .................................... 228
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 75
Installing the ball coupling ............. 230
Lights display message .................. 272
Mounting dimensions .................... 415
Power supply ................................. 234
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 157
Removing the ball coupling ............ 234
Trailer loads ................................... 416
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 367
Installing the towing eye ................ 368
Notes for 4MATIC vehicles ............ 370
Removing the towing eye ............... 369
T
ransporting the vehicle ................ 369
With both axles on the ground ....... 369
Index19
otherwise be damaged or could themselves
damage the rear seats.
Observe the loading guidelines (
Ypage 306).
The outside and the middle rear seat backr-
ests can be folded down separately to
increase the cargo compartment capacity.
The division ratio is 40% to 20% to 40%.
Both outside seat backrests in the rear com-
partment are electrically unlocked with the
release handles either in the cargo compart-
ment or beside the seat backrests in the rear
compartment (vehicles with EASY-PACK tail-
gate only). The corresponding rear seat
backrests then fold forward automatically.
Folding the rear seat backrests forward
XVehicles without memory function: if nec-
essary, move the driver's or front-
passenger seat forward.
XVehicles with memory function: when one
or both parts of the rear seat backrest are
folded forward, the respective front seat
moves forward slightly, when necessary, in
order to avoid contact.
XFully insert the rear seat backrest head
restraints.
XHook in seat belt buckle tongue :through
seat belt retainer ;.
Release handle in the cargo compartment
Release handle next to the seat backrest (vehicles
with EASY-PACK tailgate only)
Left and right seat backrest:
XPull the left-hand or right-hand release han-
dle at the rear in cargo compartment :or
at the side beside backrests :.
The corresponding backrest folds for-
wards.
XMove the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary.
310Stowage areas
Stowage and features
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
General notes
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires. The affected
tire must not show any clearly visible damage.
You can recognize MOExtended tires by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
sidewall of the tire. You will find this marking next to the tire size designation, the load-
bearing capacity and the speed index
(
Ypage 389).
MOExtended tires may only be used in con-
junction with an active tire pressure monitor.
If a pressure loss warning message
appears in the multifunction display:
Robserve the instructions in the display mes-
sages (
Ypage 285).
Rcheck the tire for damage.
Rif driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
is approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the
vehicle is partially laden. When the vehicle is
fully laden it is approximately 19 miles
(30 km).
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis-
tance possible depends upon:
Rvehicle speed
Rroad condition
Routside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving condi-
tions or maneuvers, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
is counted from the moment the tire pressure
loss warning appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). When replacing one or all tires, please
observe the following specifications for your
vehicle's tires:
Rsize
Rthe type and
Rthe "MOExtended" mark
If a tire has gone flat and cannot be replaced
with a MOExtended tire, a standard tire may
be used as a temporary measure. Make sure
tha
t you use the proper size and type (sum-
mer or winter tire).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not feature run-flat
properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may
be obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
Ryou hear banging noises.
Rthe vehicle starts to shake.
Ryou see smoke and smell rubber.
RESP®is intervening constantly.
Rthere are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
defective tire must be replaced in every case.
Flat tire357
Breakdown assistance
Z
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
XSpecification for maximum gross vehicle
weight:is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants,
load and luggage must not exceed the speci-
fied value.
iThe specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustra-
tion are examples. The maximum permis-
sible gross vehicle weight rating is vehicle- specific and may differ from that in the
illustration. You can find the valid maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight rating for
your vehicle on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard.
Number of seats
Maximum number of seats :indicates the
maximum number of occupants allowed to travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
iThe specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustra-
tion are examples. The number of seats is
vehicle-specific and can differ from the
details shown. The number of seats in your vehicle can be found on the Tire and Load-
ing Information placard.
Determining the correct load limit
Step-by-step instructions
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
XStep 1: Locate the statement "The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on
your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information
placard.
XStep 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
XStep 3: Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX kilo-
grams or XXX lbs.
XStep 4: The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will be five
150-lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs).
XStep 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capa-
city calculated in step 4.
Loading the vehicle385
Wheels and tires
Z
Tire labeling
Overview
:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(
Ypage 393)
;DOT, Tire Identification Number
(
Ypage 392)
=Maximum tire load (Ypage 391)
?Maximum tire pressure (Ypage 380)
AManufacturer
BTire material (Ypage 392)
CTire size designation, load-bearing capa-
city and speed rating (
Ypage 389)
DLoad index (Ypage 391)
ETire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales designa-
tion) and the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
GWARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
:Tire width
;Nominal aspect ratio in %
=Tire code
?Rim diameter
ALoad bearing index
BSpeed rating
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size descrip-
tion (as shown above): these are passenger
vehicle tires according to European manufac-
turing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S. manu-
facturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: compactemergency wheels with high tire pressure
that are only designed for temporary use in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width:shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio;is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent. The aspect
All about wheels an d tires389
Wheels and tires
Z
ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code:tire code=specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the man-
ufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter?is the diam-
eter of the bead seat, not the diameter of the
rim flange. The rim diameter is specified in
inches (in).
Load-bearing index: load-bearing indexA
is a numerical code that specifies the maxi-
mum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissi-
ble load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side (
Ypage 384).
Example:
Load-bearing index 91 indicates a maximum
load of 1,356 lb (615 kg) that the tires can
bear. For further information on the maximum
tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(
Ypage 391).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (
Ypage 391).
Speed rating: speed ratingBspecifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the traffic condi-
tions.
Summer tires
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)
IndexSpeed rating
Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)
Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)
Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(..Y)over 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZRover 149 mph (240 km/h)
ROptionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR18).
The service specification is made up of
load-bearing index Aand speed rating B.
RIf the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service specifica-
tions, ask the tire manufacturer in order to
find out the maximum speed.
If a service specification is available, the
maximum speed is limited according to the
speed rating in the service specification.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97 Y.In this exam-
ple, "97 Y" is the service specification. The
letter "Y" represents the speed rating. The
maximum speed of the tire is limited to
186 mph (300 km/h).
RThe size description for all tires with maxi-
mum speeds of over 186 mph (300 km/h)
must include "ZR", andthe service specifi-
cation must be given in parentheses. Exam-
ple: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). Speed rating
"(Y)" indicates that the maximum speed of
the tire is over 186 mph (300 km/h). Ask
the tire manufacturer about the maximum
speed.
390All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equip-
ment including the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning system and optional equipment if
these are installed in the vehicle, but does not
include passengers or luggage.
Maximum load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum per-
missible weight in kilograms or lbs for which a
tire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (pounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tire pressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an
outward force to each square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked with the tires
out of direct sunlight for at least three
hours and
Rif the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1 mile (1.6 km) Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sit
s
securely on t
he wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 5 lbs (2.3 kg). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the accesso-
ries.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier which can be used
by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Treadwear indicators
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 áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
394All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.
RAvoid changing the wheel on uphill and
downhill slopes.
RBefore raising the vehicle, secure it from
rolling away by applying the parking brake
and inserting wheel chocks. Do not disen-
gage the parking brake while the vehicle is
raised.
RThe jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a
large, flat, load-bearing underlay must be
used. On a slippery surface, a non-slip
underlay must be used, e.g. rubber mats.
RDo not use wooden blocks or similar
objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the
jack will not be able to achieve its load-
bearing capacity due to the restricted
height.
RMake sure that the distance between the
underside of the tires and the ground does
not exceed 1.2 in (3 cm).
RNever place your hands and feet under the
raised vehicle.
RDo not lie under the vehicle.
RDo not start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
RNever open or close a door or the tailgate
when the vehicle is raised.
RMake sure that no persons are present in
the vehicle when the vehicle is raised.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
Jacking points
The jacking points are located just behind the
front wheel housings and just in front of the
rear wheel housings (arrows).
XTake the ratchet wrench out of the vehicle
tool kit and place it on the hexagon nut of
the jack so that the letters AUFare visible.
XPosition jack =at jacking point ;.
XMake sure the foot of the jack is directly
beneath the jacking point.
Changing a wheel397
Wheels and tires
Z