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
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
