To ensure uniform wear on all tyres, we recommend that you change the
wheels every 10 000 km, in line with the schedule » Fig. 166 - .WARNING■
Change the tyres at the latest when they are worn down to the wear indi-
cators -There is a risk of an accident.■
Faulty wheel alignment affects handling - There is a risk of an accident.
■
Unusual vibrations or the vehicle “pulling ” to one side could be a sign of
tyre damage. Reduce speed and stop! If there are no external signs of tyre
damage, seek the help of a specialist garage.
Spare wheel
Only use this emergency spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage, as
it is not intended for permanent use .
A warning label is always placed on the rim of the temporary spare wheel.
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel. ▶ Do not cover the warning sign.
▶ Be particularly observant when driving.
▶ Inflate the emergency spare to the maximum inflation pressure for the vehi-
cle » page 151 .
In vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring, save the tyre pressure values in the
system » page 123 .
WARNING■
Never drive with more than one spare wheel mounted!■Avoid full throttle acceleration, sharp braking and fast cornering when
driving with the temporary spare wheel.■
Do not use snow chains on the temporary spare wheel.
■
Observe instructions on the warning sign of the emergency wheel.
Tyre marking
Explanation of tyre markings - e.g. 225/50 R 17 91 T
225Tyre width in mm50Height/width ratio in %RCode letter for the type of tyre – Radial17Diameter of wheel in inches91Load indexTSpeed symbol
Load index - indicates the maximum permissible load for each individual tyre
Load index90919293949597Load
(In kg)600615630650670690730
Speed symbol - indicates the maximum permissible speed for a vehicle fitted
with tyres in a given category
Speed
symbolSTUHVWYMaximum speed
(in km/h)180190200210240270300WARNINGNever exceed the maximum permissible load bearing capacity and speed
for the tyres fitted – There is a risk of accident.
Operating in winter conditions
All-year (or “winter”) tyres
All-year or “winter”tyres (indicated by an M+S or a mountain peak/snowflake
symbol ) to improve the performance of the vehicle in winter conditions.
To get the best possible driving characteristics, all-year or “winter”tyres, with a
minimum tread depth of 4 mm on all four wheels, should be fitted.
If “winter” tyres are mounted, summer tyres should be fitted again in good
time as they provide better handling properties, a shorter braking distance,
less tyre noise and reduced tyre wear on roads which are free of snow and ice
as well as at temperatures above 7 °C.
Speed symbol
All-year or “winter”tyres (marked with M+S and a peak/snowflake symbol
) of
a lower speed category than listed in the vehicle’s technical documentation
can be used provided that the maximum permissible speed for these tyres is
not exceeded even if the maximum possible speed of the vehicle is higher.
152General Maintenance
