Tires/disc wheelRear axle load
5360 lbs
(2431 kg)7060 lbs
(3202 kg)7720 lbs
(3502 kg)
285/65 R 16 C 128/126N (121 R)
285/65 R 16 C 128/126 N (123 R)7
8.5J x 16 ET 63
—450 kPa
(4.5 bar/65 psi)—
235/65 R 16 C 121N (118 R)
6.5J x 16
Spare wheel for vehicles with
Super Single tires—520 kPa
(5.2 bar/75 psi)—
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
The Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show themaximum possible load.
(1) Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg):
Tire and Loading Information placard :is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side. Tire and Loading Information placard
:shows the
permissible number of occupants and the
maximum permissible load of the vehicle. It
also contains details of the tire sizes and
corresponding pressures for tires mounted
at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is located on the base of the driver's seat. The vehicle
identification plate informs you of the gross
vehicle weight rating. It is made up of the
vehicle weight, all vehicle occupants, the
fuel and the cargo. You can also find infor-
mation about the maximum Gross Axle
Weight Rating on the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle). Do not exceed
the maximum gross vehicle weight or the
maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle.
Tire and Loading Information placard
General notes
Only vehicles with a gross weight of less than
10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) have a Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the driv-
er's side.
7Super Single tires.
258Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires
is marked with "3208", was manufactured in
week 32 in 2008.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics
This information describes the type of tire cord
and the number of layers in sidewall :and
under tire tread ;.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Definitions for tires and loading
Tire structure and characteristics
Describes the number of layers or the number of
rubber-coated belts in the tire tread and the tire
wall. These consist of steel, nylon, polyester,
and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure. 14.5038 pounds
per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals (kPa)
are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of the
United States Department of Transportation.
Average weight of vehicle occupants
The number of occupants for which the vehicle
is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A uniform standard to grade the quality of tires
with regard to tread quality, traction and tem-
perature characteristics. The quality grading
assessment is made by the manufacturer fol- lowing specifications from the U.S government.
The quality grade of a tire is imprinted on the
sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
The recommended tire pressures are the pres-
sures specified for the tires mounted on the
vehicle at the factory.
The tire and load information table
8contains the
recommended tire pressures for cold tires, the
maximum permissible load and the maximum
permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recommen-
ded tire pressure for cold tires under various
operating conditions, i.e. loading and/or speed
of the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment
The combined weight of all standard and
optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed on
the vehicle or not.
Wheel rim
The part of the wheel on which the tire is moun-
ted.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
GAWR is the maximum gross axle weight rating.
The actual load on an axle must never exceed
the gross axle weight rating. The Gross Axle
Weight Rating can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate on the driver seat frame
(
Ypage 276).
Speed index
The speed index is part of the tire identification.
It specifies the speed range for which the tire is
approved.
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
GTW is the total of weight of a trailer and the
weight of the load, accessories etc. on the
trailer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
accessories installed, occupants, luggage and
the drawbar noseweight if applicable. The gross
vehicle weight may never exceed the gross vehi-
8Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4536 kg).
264What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a code
that contains the maximum load bearing capa-
city of a tire.
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 distrib-
uted over the tire tread. If the tire tread is level
with the bars, the wear limit ofáin(1.6 mm )
ha sbeen re ached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over des-
ignated 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
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel,
the spare wheel is under the rear of the vehicle
(
Ypage 272).
Information about installing a wheel can be
found in the "Wheel change" section
(
Ypage 267).
Changing wheels
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
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 electronic
components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
(
Ypage 267).
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 intervals
in the tire manufacturer's warranty book in your
vehicle documents. If no warranty book is avail-
able, 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 rota-
ted.
Check the tire pressure and reactivate the tire
pressure monitor if necessary.
Diagram showing tire rotation for single and dual
tires
Single tires: if the tires are of identical dimen-
sions, you can rotate both wheels on both the
front and rear axles so that the tires' original
direction of rotation is maintained. On unidirec-
266Changing wheels
Wheels and tires
tional tires, an arrow on the sidewall shows the
prescribed direction of rotation of the tire.
Twin rear tires:if the tires are of identical
dimensions, you can rotate the wheels on the
front axle and the inner wheels on the rear axle
in pairs such that the original direction of tire
rotation is retained. With unidirectional tires,
you may rotate the outside wheels at the rear
axle from one side to the other.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation have
additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk of hydro-
planing. You will only gain these benefits if the
correct direction of rotation is observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates its
correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel against the direc-
tion of rotation. Observe the time restriction on
use as well as the speed limitation specified on
the spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the tires
from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Mounting a wheel
Vehicle preparation
XStop the vehicle as far away as possible from
traffic and on a level, firm and non-slip sur-
face.
XIf your vehicle poses a risk to approaching
traffic, switch on the hazard warning lamps.
XApply the parking brake.
XTurn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
XMove the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
XSwitch off the engine.
XPassengers should leave the vehicle. Make
sure that the passengers are not endangered
as they do so.
XMake sure that no one is near the danger area
while the wheel is being changed. Anyone
who is not directly assisting in the wheel change should, for example, stand behind the
barrier.
XPlace the warning triangle or warning lamp at
a suitable distance.
Observe legal requirements.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
iObserve the safety notes on parking in the
section on "Driving and parking"
(
Ypage 130).
XOn level terrain: place chocks or other suit-
able objects under the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the wheel to
be changed.
XOn slight inclines: place chocks or other
suitabl e objects under the wheels on the front
and rear axles opposite the wheel to be
changed.
XTake the vehicle tool kit and the jack from the
footwell on the front-passenger side
(
Ypage 240).
XRemove the spare wheel from the spare wheel
bracket (Ypage 273). Observe the safety
notes in the "Spare wheel" section
(
Ypage 272).
XOn wheels with wheel bolts, remove the hub
caps.
XAssemble the lug wrench extension using the
middle rod and the rod with the largest diam-
eter from the three-piece jack pump lever.
XStarting with the middle rod, slide the lug
wrench extension as far as it will go onto the
lug wrench.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the wheel bolts/
wheel nuts on the wheel to be changed by
about one full turn. Do not unscrew the wheel bolts/nuts completely.
Changing wheels267
Wheels an d tires
Z
Jacking point, front axle
XPlace the jack under the jacking point in frontof the front axle.
XVehicles with all-wheel drive: unscrew jack
spindle =counter-clockwise as far as it will
go.
Jacking point, rear axle (example: vehicle type
2500)
Jacking point, rear axle (example: vehicle type
3500)
XPlace the jack under the jacking point in front
of the rear axle.
Jacking point, rear axle (example: Cab Chassis)Jacking point at the rear axle on chassis ver-
sions
XPlace the jack next to the front leaf spring
support beneath the jacking point.
Removing a wheel
!Do not place the wheel bolts or the wheel
nuts in sand or dirt. The threads of the wheel
bolts and wheel nuts could otherwise be dam-
aged when being tightened.
XUnscrew the wheel bolts or nuts.
XOn front wheels with wheel nuts, remove the
wheel nut cover.
XRemove the wheel.
Installing the adapter
GWARNING
If you tighten the adapter bolts when the vehi-
cle is raised, the jack could tip over. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that the vehicle is properly pre-
pared for a wheel change. Tighten the adapter
bolts with particular care and attention.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Changing a wheel" (
Ypage 266).
GWARNING
If you do not tighten the bolts of the adapter to
the specified tightening torque, the adapter
may come loose with the spare wheel. There
is a risk of an accident.
Tighten the bolts of the adapter to the speci-
fied tightening torque. Have the spare wheel
replaced with a complete wheel and an extra-
Changing wheels269
Wheels and tires
Z
wide tire at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
!Vehicles with Super Single tires:if you
install the spare wheel, do not exceed the
maximum speed of 40 mph (60 km/h) and do
not drive further than 65 miles(100 km).
The transmission could otherwise be dam-
aged by the difference in wheel rotation
speeds.
On vehicles with Super Single tires, you must
attach the narrow spare wheel to the rear axle by
means of an adapter. The adapter is bolted to
the spare wheel using the adapter bolts for
transportation.
The handling characteristics of your vehicle are affected when driving with a spare wheel instal-
led. After changing a wheel, drive to the nearest
specialist workshop and have the spare wheel
replaced with a wheel and tire assembly that hasa Super Single tire.
XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact sur-
faces.
XUnscrew the six adapter bolts on the spare
wheel and remove the adapter.
XTighten the adapter with the six adapter boltsevenly in a crosswise pattern through the
outer holes on the wheel hub.
XTighten the six adapter bolts on the wheel hub
to a tightening torque of 177 lb-ft(240 Nm).
XPush the wheel onto the adapter and attach it.
Mounting a new wheel
GWARNING
Oiled or greased wheel bolts or damaged
wheel bolts/hub threads can cause the wheel bolts to come loose. As a result, you could
lose a wheel while driving. There is a risk of
accident.
Never oil or grease wheel bolts. In the event of
damage to the threads, contact a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. Have the
damaged wheel bolts or hub threads
replaced/renewed. Do not continue driving.
GWARNING
If you tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is raised, the jack could tip
over. There is a risk of injury.
Only tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is on the ground.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on "Changing a wheel" (
Ypage 266).
Only use wheel bolts or wheel nuts that have
been designed for the wheel and the vehicle. For safety reasons, we recommend that you only
use wheel bolts or wheel nuts which have been
approved for Sprinter vehicles and the respec-
tive wheel.
!For a steel wheel, only use the short wheel
bolts to mount the steel spare wheel. Using
other wheel bolts to mount the steel spare
wheel could damage the brake system.
!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 electronic
components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
:Wheel bolt for alloy wheel
;Wheel bolt for steel wheel
XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact sur-
faces.
XVehicles with Super Single tires: first attach
the adapter for the narrow spare wheel to the
wheel hub (
Ypage 269).
Slide the new wheel onto the wheel hub or
onto the adapter for the spare wheel and push
it on.
270Changing wheels
Wheels and tires
Slide the new wheel onto the wheel hub and
push it on.
Wheels with centering by wheel bolts:
XVehicles with alloy wheels: take the short
wheel bolts that secure the steel spare wheel
out of the vehicle tool kit.
XScrew in the wheel bolts and tighten them
lightly.
For wheels with wheel nuts:
XFront wheels with wheel nut covers: press the
wheel nut covers onto the wheel nuts.
XScrew in the three wheel nuts over the fixing
discs of the wheel nut cover.
XTurn the wheel so that the wheel bolts are in
the middle of the holes.
XScrew on the rest of the wheel nuts.
XSlightly tighten all the wheel nuts.
Lowering the vehicle
GWARNING
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 distorted to
such an extent that they can no longer be
used as a pump lever for the jack.
!Vehicles with Super Single tires: if you
install the spare wheel, do not exceed the
maximum speed of 40 mph (60 km/h) and do
not drive further than 65 miles(100 km).
The transmission could otherwise be dam-
aged by the difference in wheel rotation
speeds.
Tightening torque pattern
:—B
Wheel bolts or wheel nuts
XUsing the pump lever, slowly turn the lowering
screw on the jack through approximately one revolution and carefully lower the vehicle
(
Ypage 268).
XPut the jack aside.
XPull the rod with the smallest diameter off the
pump lever.
The shortened pump lever serves as a lug
wrench extension.
XStarting with the middle rod, slide the lug
wrench extension as far as it will go onto the
lug wrench.
XUsing the extended lug wrench, tighten the
wheel bolts evenly in a crosswise pattern in
the sequence indicated ( :toB).
Tighten the wheel bolts to the following tight-
ening torques:
RSteel wheel 177 lb-ft(240 Nm)
RAlloy wheel 133 lb-ft(180 Nm)
Tighten the wheel nuts to a tightening torque
of 133 lb-ft (180 Nm).
XPush the piston on the hydraulic jack in again
and close the pressure release screw.
XVehicles with all-wheel drive: turn the jack
spindle clockwise as far as it will go
(
Ypage 268).
XStow the jack and the rest of the vehicle tools
in the vehicle again.
iYou can now install the hub caps on steel
wheels with wheel bolts. The installing proce-
dure depends on whether the hub cap acts as
a trim that covers the whole wheel, or just
covers the center.
XWheel with hub cap: position the opening for
the tire valve in the hub cap over the tire valve.
XPush the edge of the hub cap with both hands against the wheel until it clicks into place.
Changing wheels271
Wheels and tires
Z
Make sure the hub cap retaining catches
engage on the steel wheel.
XWheel with central hub cap: position the
retaining lugs of the central hub cap over the
wheel bolts.
XHit the middle of the hub cap to engage it on
the wheel.
XSecure the faulty wheel in the spare wheel
bracket (Ypage 273).
XVehicles with Super Single tires: transport the
defective rear wheel in the load area. The rear
wheel is too large for the spare wheel bracket.
XCheck the tire pressure of the newly mounted
wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tire pressure
(
Ypage 250).
XRetighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts to the
specified tightening torque after the vehicle
has been driven for 30 miles (50 km).
When using a wheel or spare wheel with a new or
newly painted wheel rim, have the wheel bolts or
nuts retightened again after approximately 600
to 3,000 miles (1,000 to 5,000 km). Observe the
specified tightening torque.
iVehicles with the tire pressure monitor sys-
tem: all mounted wheels must be equipped
with functioning sensors.
Wheel and tire combination
General notes
!
Retreaded tires are neither tested nor rec-
ommended for Sprinter vehicles, since previ-
ous damage cannot always be detected on
retreaded tires. We can therefore not guar-
antee driving safety. Do not mount used tires if you have no information about their previ-
ous usage.
The recommended tire pressures can be found:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information placard9
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
Ron the tire pressure table on the B-pillar on the driver's side
The recommended tire pressure can also be
found in the "Tire pressure table" section in this
Operator's Manual (
Ypage 257). The wheel/tire
combination for your vehicle can be found on the tire pressure table. Further information on
wheel/tire combination can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Check tire pressures regularly and only when
the tires are cold. Observe the notes on the rec-
ommended tire pressure (
Ypage 250).
Follow the maintenance recommendations in
the tire manufacturer's warranty book in your
vehicle documents.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always equip
the vehicle:
Rwith tires of the same size across an axle (left
and right)
Rwith the same type of tires on all wheels at a
given time (summer tires, winter tires)
Tires that have been specially designed and
approved for your vehicle are marked with MO
(Mercedes-Benz Original). You can find this
identification on the tires themselves and in the
following table.
iNot all wheel/tire combinations can be
installed at the factory in all countries.
Spare wheel
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the type of tire can vary between the spare wheel and
the wheel to be replaced. When the spare
wheel is mounted, driving characteristics may be severely affected. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
In order to reduce risks:
Ryou should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
Rnever mount more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
Ronly use a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel to be replaced for a short time.
Rdo not deactivate ESP®.
Rhave a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
9Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg).
272Spare wheel
Wheels and tires