other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and at an obtuse angle. Oth-
erwise, the tires, particularly the sidewalls,
may be damaged.
Regular checking of wheels and tires
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly check the wheels and tires of your
vehicle for damage at least once a month, as
well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of
tire pressure. Pay particular attention to dam-
age such as:
Rcuts in the tires
Rpunctures
Rtears in the tires
Rbulges on tires
Rdeformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (
Ypage 363). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
mount anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle.
Do not use any other valve caps or systems,
e.g. tire pressure monitoring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary (
Ypage 365). The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
RDriving style
RTire pressure
RDistance covered
Notes on tire tread
GWARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where speed is not adapted to suit the driving con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
RSummer tires: âin (3 mm)
RM+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Marking :shows where the bar indicator
(arrow) for tread wear is integrated into the
tire tread.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned on the tire
tread. They are visible once a tread depth of
Operation363
Wheels and tires
Z
approximatelyáin(1.6 mm )ha sbeen
re ached. If this is the case, the tire is so worn
that it must be replaced.
Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
Exception: it is permissible to install a dif-
ferent type or make in the event of a flat
tire. Observe the "MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics" section
(
Ypage 343).
ROnly mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
RBreak in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first 60 miles (100 km). They only reach
their full performance after this distance.
RDo not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
RReplace the tires after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
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.
MOExtended tires may only be used in con-
junction with an active tire pressure monitor
and only on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires with
a flat tire (
Ypage 343).
iVehicles equipped with MOExtended tires
are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the
factory. It is therefore recommended that
you additionally 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 can be obtained from a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (
Ypage 383).
Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45
‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehi-
cle to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very
cold temperatures could cause cracks to
form, thereby damaging the tires perma-
nently. Mercedes-Benz cannot accept
responsibility for this type of damage.
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
M+S tires
GWARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There is
a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ãin
(4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use win-
ter tires or all-season tires. Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
364Winter operation
Wheels and tires
ditions. Only these tires will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP®to
function optimally in winter. These tires have been developed specifically for driving in
snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on
all wheels to maintain safe handling charac-
teristics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures (Ypage 368).
XRestart the tire pressure monitor
(
Ypage 371).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
Rnever install snow chains to the front
wheels
Ralways install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible
wheel-tire combinations (
Ypage 388).
ROnly use snow chains when driving on
roads completely covered by snow.
Remove the snow chains as soon as possi- ble when you come to a road that is not
snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of
snow chains. Observe the appropriate reg-
ulations if you wish to mount snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
ROn vehicles with AIRMATIC (Ypage 197) or
Active Body Control (ABC) (
Ypage 194),
you must drive at raised vehicle level if
snow chains have been installed.
RWhen snow chains are installed, never use Active Parking Assist (
Ypage 202).
You may wish to deactivate ESP
®(Ypage 74)
when pulling away with snow chains installed.
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased
driving force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
Rmonthly, at least
Rif the load changes
Rbefore beginning a long journey
Runder different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
Tire pressure365
Wheels and tires
Z
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
iThe specifications on the sample Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure tables are examples. Tire pressure
specifications are vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data shown here. The tire
pressure specifications that are valid for
your vehicle can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard and tire pres-
sure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard
:Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(
Ypage 372).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-
tains the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires. The recommended tire pressures
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible vehicle
speed.
Tire pressure table
The tire pressure table is on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
Example: tire pressure table for all tires permitted
for this vehicle by the factory
The tire pressure table contains the recom-
mended pressures for cold tires for various
operating conditions, i.e. differing load and
speed conditions.
Example: tire pressure table with tire dimensions
If a tire size precedes a tire pressure, the tire
pressure information following is only valid
for that tire size. The load conditions "partially
laden" and "fully laden" are defined in the
table for different numbers of occupants and
amounts of luggage. The actual number of
seats may differ.
366Tire pressure
Wheels and tires
Some tire pressure tables show only the rim
diameters instead of the full tire size, e.g.
R18. The rim diameter is part of the tire size
and can be found on the tire sidewall
(
Ypage 377).
If the tire pressures have been set to the
lower values for lighter loads and/or lower
road speeds, the pressures should be reset to the higher values:
Rif you want to drive with an increased load
and/or
Rif you want to drive at higher road speeds
iThe tire pressures for increased loads
and/or higher road speeds, shown in the
tire pressure table, may have a negative
effect on driving comfort.
If the tire pressure is not set correctly, this
can lead to an excessive build up of heat and
a sudden loss of pressure.
For more information, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Important notes on tire pressure
GWARNING
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tire may be damaged. Tire
pressure that is too low may result in a tire
blow-out. There is a risk of an accident.
RCheck the tire for foreign objects.
RCheck whether the wheel is losing air or the valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage, con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tire
valves, the tire valves may be overloaded and
malfunction, which can cause tire pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tire pres- sure monitors keep the tire valve open. This
can also result in tire pressure loss. There is a
risk of an accident.
Only screw the standard valve cap or other
valve caps approved by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tire valve.
Use a suitable pressure gage to check the tire
pressure. The outer appearance of a tire does
not permit any reliable conclusion about the
tire pressure. On vehicles equipped with the
electronic tire pressure monitor, the tire pres-
sure can be checked in the on-board com-
puter.
The tire temperature and pressure increase
when the vehicle is in motion. This is depend-
ent on the driving speed and the load.
Therefore, you should only correct tire pres-
sures when the tires are cold.
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)
The tire temperature changes depending on
the outside temperature, the vehicle speed
and the tire load. If the tire temperature
changes by 18 ‡ (10 †), the tire pressure
changes by approximately 10 kPa (0.1 ba r/
1. 5psi) . Take this into account when check-
ing the pressure of warm tires. Only correct
the tire pressure if it is too low for the current operating conditions. If you check the tire
pressure when the tires are warm, the result-
ing value will be higher than if the tires were
cold. T
his is normal. Do not reduce the tire
pressure to the value specified for cold tires.
The tire pressure would otherwise be too low.
Observe the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table on the inside of the
fuel filler flap
Tire pressure367
Wheels and tires
Z
Underinflated or overinflated tires
Underinflated tires
GWARNING
Tires with pressure that is too low can over-
heat and burst as a consequence. In addition, they also suffer from excessive and/or irreg-
ular wear, which can severely impair the brak-
ing properties and the driving characteristics.
There is a risk of an accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too low in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Underinflated tires may:
Roverheat, leading to tire defects
Radversely affect handling
Rwear excessively and/or unevenly
Rhave an adverse effect on fuel consumption
Overinflated tires
GWARNING
Tires with excessively high pressure can burst
because they are damaged more easily by
road debris, potholes etc. In addition, they
also suffer from irregular wear, which can
severely impair the braking properties and the driving characteristics. There is a risk of an
accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too high in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Overinflated tires may:
Rincrease the braking distance
Radversely affect handling
Rwear excessively and/or unevenly
Rhave an adverse effect on ride comfort
Rbe more susceptible to damage
Maximum tire pressures
:Example: maximum permissible tire pres-
sure
Never exceed the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure. Always observe the rec-
ommended tire pressure for your vehicle
when adjusting the tire pressure
(
Ypage 365).
iThe actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notes
Observe the notes on tire pressure
(
Ypage 365).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
Ron the vehicle's Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard on the B-pillar
Ron the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap (
Ypage 168)
Rin the "Tire pressure" section
Checking tire pressures manually
To determine and set the correct tire pres-
sure, proceed as follows:
XRemove the valve cap of the tire that is to
be checked.
XPress the tire pressure gage securely onto
the valve.
368Tire pressure
Wheels and tires
XRead thetire pressur eand compar eit to
th erecommended value on th eTir eand
Loadin gInformation placard or th etire
pressur etable (
Ypage 365).
XIf thetire pressur eis to olow, increase th e
tire pressur eto th erecommended value .
XIf thetire pressur eis to ohigh ,release air.
To do so, press down th emetal pin in th e
valve, usin gth etip of apen for example.
The nchec kth etire pressur eagain usin g
th etire pressur echecker.
XScrew th evalv ecap onto th evalve.
XRepeat these steps for th eother tires .
Tire pressure monitor
Genera lnotes
If atire pressur emonitor is installed, th evehi-
cle's wheels hav esensor sthat monitor th e
tire pressures in all fou rtires .The tire pres-
sur emonitor warn syou if th epressur edrops
in on eor mor eof th etires .The tire pressur e
monitor only function sif th ecorrespondin g
sensor sare installed in all wheels.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
th emultifunction display. Afte r afew minute s
of driving, th ecurren ttire pressur eof eac h
tire is shown in th eServic e
menuof th emul-
tifunction display, see illustration (example).
Fo rinformation on th emessage display, refer
to th e"Checking th etire pressur eelectroni-
cally" section (
Ypage 370).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Eac htire, includin gth espar e(if provided),
should be checke dat leas tonce every tw o
week swhen cold and inflated to th epressur e
recommended by th evehicl emanufacturer
on th eTir eand Loadin gInformation placard
on th edriver's doo rB-pillar or th etire pres-
sur elabel on th einside of th efuel filler flap .If
your vehicl ehas tires of adifferen tsiz ethan
th esiz eindicate don th eTir eand Loadin g
Information placard or, if available, th etire
pressur elabel ,you should determin eth e
proper tire pressur efor those tires .
As an added safet yfeature, your vehicl ehas
been equipped wit h atire pressur emonitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminate s alow tire pres-
sur etelltale when on eor mor eof your tires
are significantly underinflated. Accordingly,
when th elow tire pressur etelltale lights up,
you should stop and chec kyour tires as soo n
as possible, and inflat ethem to th eproper
pressure. Drivin gon asignificantly underin-
flated tire causes th etire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduce sfuel efficiency
and tire tread life ,and may affec tth evehicle's
handlin gand stopping ability. Pleas enote that
th eTPM Sis no t a
substitu
t efor proper tire
maintenance ,and it is th edriver's responsi-
bilit yto maintai ncorrec ttire pressure, eve nif
underinflation has no treached th elevel to
trigge rillumination of th eTPM Slow tire pres-
sur etelltale.
Your vehicl ehas also been equipped wit h a
TPM Smalfunction indicato rto indicate when
th esystem is no toperating properly. The
TPM Smalfunction indicato ris combine dwit h
th elow tire pressur etelltale. Whe nth esys-
te m detects amalfunction ,th ewarnin glamp
will flas hfor approximately aminute and then
remain continuousl yilluminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time th evehi-
cle is started as lon gas th emalfunction
exists. Whe nth emalfunction indicato ris illu-
Tire pressure36 9
Wheels and tires
Z
minated, the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of incom-
patible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate Tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to that recommended for cold tires
which is suitable for the operating situation
(
Ypage 365). Note that the correct tire pres-
sure for the current operating situation must
first be taught-in to the tire pressure monitor.
If there is a substantial loss of pressure, the
warning threshold for the warning message is
aligned to the reference values taught-in.
Restart the tire pressure monitor after adjust-
ing the pressure of the cold tires
(
Ypage 371). The current pressures are
saved as new reference values. As a result, a
warning message will appear if the tire pres-
sure drops significantly.
The tire pressure monitor does not warn you
of an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tire pressure
(
Ypage 365).
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tire is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering maneuvers.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster for indicat-
ing pressure loss or a malfunction. Whether
the warning lamp flashes or lights up indi-
cates whether a tire pressure is too low or the
tire pressure monitor is ma
lfunctioning:
Rif the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is signif- icantly too low. The tire pressure monitor is
not malfunctioning.
Rif the warning lamp flashes for around a
minute and then remains lit constantly, the
tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning.
In addition to the warning lamp, a message
appears in the multifunction display. Observe
the information on display messages
(
Ypage 279).
It may take up to ten minutes for a malfunc-
tion of the tire pressure monitor to be indica-
ted. A malfunction will be indicated by the tire
pressure warning lamp flashing for approx-
imately one minute and then remaining lit.
When the malfunction has been rectified, the
tire pressure warning lamp goes out after a
few minutes of driving.
The tire pressure values indicated by the on-
board computer may differ from those meas-
ured at a gas station with a pressure gage.
The tire pressures shown by the on-board
computer refer to those measured at sea
level. At high altitudes, the tire pressure val-
ues indicated by a pressure gage are higher
than those shown by the on-board computer.
In this case, do not reduce the tire pressures.
The operation of the tire pressure monitor can be affected by interference from radio trans-
mitting equipment (e.g. radio headphones,
two-way radios) that may be being operated
in or near the vehicle.
Checking the tire pressure electroni-
cally
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock (
Ypage 151).
XUse ò on the steering wheel to call up
the list of menus.
XPress 9or: on the steering wheel
to select the Service
menu.
XPress theabutton.
370Tire pressure
Wheels and tires