
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 180).
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
Rin the tire pressure table in the fuel filler
flap (Ypage 98)
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 bechecked.
XPress the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.
XRead the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading Information placard (
Ypage 180).
XIf the tire pressure is too low increase the
tire pressure to the recommended value.
XIf the tire pressure is too high, release
air. To do this, press down the metal pin in
the valve using the tip of a pen, for exam-
ple. Then check the tire pressure again
using the tire pressure checker.
XScrew the valve cap onto the valve.
XRepeat these steps for the other tires.
Tire pressure monitor
General notes
iThis function is only available in the
USA.
If a tire pressure monitor is installed, the
vehicle's wheels have sensors that monitor
the tire pressures in all four tires. The tire
pressure monitor warns you if the pressure
drops in one or more of the tires. The tire pressure monitor only functions if the cor-
responding sensors are fitted to all wheels.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provi-
ded), should be checked at least once every
two weeks when cold and inflated to the
pressure recommended by the vehicle man- ufacturer on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard on the driver's door B-pillar
or the tire pressure label on the inside of
the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the Tire and Loading Information
placard or, if available, the tire pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure moni-
toring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale lights up, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driv-
ing on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping abil-
ity. Please note that the TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it
is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if underinfla-
tion has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
Tire pressure183
>> Wheels and tires.
Z

All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
iThe actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half times
as well on the government test track as a tire
graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how- ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions.
Traction
GWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
!Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
The traction grades – from highest to lowest –
are AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road surfa-
ces.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
smart recommends a minimum tread depth of
00CF in (4 mm) on all four winter tires. Observe
the legally required minimum tire tread
depth (
Ypage 178). Winter tires can reduce
the braking distance on snow-covered surfa- ces in comparison with summer tires. The
braking distance is still much further than on
surfaces that are not icy or covered with snow.
Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) (
Ypage 179).
Temperature
GWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause excessive heat build-up and pos- sible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B
and C. They represent the tire's resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
190All about wheels and tires
>> Wheels and tires.

Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the 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 kilograms).
These optional extras, such as high-perform-
ance brakes, level control, a roof rack or a
high-performance battery, are not included
in the curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
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 iden-
tify 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 00CDin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus 68 kg
(150 lbs) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
You can find information on what to do in the
event of a flat tire in the "Flat tire" section
(
Ypage 161).
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
Never interchange the front and rear wheels
as they have different dimensions, e.g.
size, wheel offset etc. Otherwise, there
could be a negative effect on the road hold- ing and you could endanger yourself or oth-
ers.
!On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are loca-
ted in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the elec-
tronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Various types of steel wheel can be fitted on
your vehicle. Some steel wheels have a red
mark in the hub cap area. The hub cap has to be
removed to see the red mark, see "Raising the
vehicle" in the "Wheel change" section
(
Ypage 197). When changing the wheels,
always fit wheels of the same type on all axles.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes when changing a wheel
(
Ypage 196).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating condi-
tions. Front tires typically wear more on the
shoulders and the rear tires in the center.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is rotated. Check the tire pressure and reac-
tivate the tire pressure monitor if necessary.
196Changing a wheel
>> Wheels and tires.

Observe the following when raising the vehi-
cle:
Rmake sure you have a suitable jack and
wheel wrench. If used incorrectly, the jack
could tip over with the vehicle raised.
For further information inquire at any
smart center.
Rthe jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed. It is not suited for per-
forming maintenance work under the vehi-
cle.
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. Never 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.
Rdo not open or close a door or the tailgate
while the vehicle is raised.
Rmake sure that no persons are present in the
vehicle when the vehicle is raised.
!The jack is designed exclusively for
jacking up the vehicle at the jacking
points. Otherwise, your vehicle could be
damaged.
Steel wheel with hub cap
XVehicles with steel wheels and hub caps:
carefully reach into two of the hub cap
openings and remove the hub cap.
Steel wheel with hub cap
XVehicles with steel wheels and hub caps:
remove the hub cap.
XUsing wheel wrench 0043, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one
full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely.
198Changing a wheel
>> Wheels and tires.

smart accepts no liability for damage
resulting from the use of tires or wheels
other than those tested and approved.
Information on wheels and tires can be
obtained at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a smart center.
!Retreaded tires have not been tested by
smart and are not recommended. Previous
damage sustained by the tires (before the
retreading process) cannot always be rec-
ognized. As a result, smart cannot guaran-
tee vehicle safety if retreaded tires are
fitted.
Overview of abbreviations used in the fol-
lowing tire tables:
RBA: both axles
RFA: front axle
RRA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various oper- ating conditions can be found:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire pres-
sures under various operating conditions
(
Ypage 180).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the mainte-
nance recommendations of the tire manufac-
turer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle with:
Rtires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
Rwith the same type of tires on all wheels at a given time (summer tires, winter tires)
Exception: it is permissible to fit a dif-
ferent type or make in the event of a flat
tire.
iThe following pages contain information
on approved wheel rim and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicle with winter tires.
Winter tires are not available at the fac-
tory as standard equipment or optional
extras.
If you want to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, it may be necessary
to obtain wheel rims in the corresponding size. The size of the approved winter tires
may differ from the standard tires. This is
dependent on the model and the equipment
installed at the factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
iNot all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
Wheel and tire combinations201
>> Wheels and tires.
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