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Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a
risk of hydroplaning. These advantages can
only be gained if the tires are fitted corre-
sponding to the direction of rotation.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel.
Mounting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle
XMake sure that you have the appropriate
tire-changing tools. For further informa-
tion inquire at any smart center.
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground.
XApply the parking brake (Ypage 101).
XBring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
XVehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P.
XVehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and engage
first or reverse gear.
XSwitch off the engine.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
XAlso secure the vehicle against rolling
away.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
XOn level ground:place chocks or other suit-
able items under the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the wheel
you wish to change.
XOn light downhill gradients: place chocks
or other suitable items in front of the
wheels of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle
GWARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at
the appropriate jacking point of the vehi- cle, the jack could tip over with the vehicle
raised. There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate
jacking point of the vehicle. The base of the jack must be positioned vertically,
directly under the jacking point of the
vehicle.
Changing a wheel197
>> Wheels and tires.
Z
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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.
Page 202 of 214

XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact sur-faces.
XPlace the new wheel on the wheel hub and
push it on.
XTighten the wheel bolts until they are fin-
ger-tight.
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.
XLower the vehicle until it is once again
standing firmly on the ground.
XPlace the jack to one side.
XTighten the wheel bolts in the sequence
indicated 0043to0085.
Do this evenly in a crosswise pattern. The
tightening torque must be 77 lb-ft (105 Nm).
XCheck the tire pressure of the newly moun-
ted wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tire pressure
(
Ypage 180).
iVehicles with tire pressure monitor: all
wheels mounted must be equipped with
functioning sensors.
Steel wheel with hub cap
XVehicles with steel wheels and hub caps: fit
hub cap 0083so that tire valve 0084is not trap-
ped.
XPress the hub cap 0083evenly onto the wheel
with both hands.
XCheck to make sure the hub cap 0083is seated
safely on the wheel.
XVehicles with steel wheels and hub caps: fit
the hub cap.
Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
!
For safety reasons, smart recommends that
you only use tires and wheels which have
been specifically approved by smart for
your vehicle. These are specially adapted
to the control systems, such as ABS or ESP
®.
Only use tires and wheels specifically tes-
ted and approved by smart. Certain char-
acteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle noise
emissions or fuel consumption, may other-
wise be adversely affected. In addition,
when driving with a load, dimensional var-
iations and different tire deformation
characteristics could cause the tires to
make contact with the bodywork and axle
components. This could result in damage to
the tires or the vehicle.
200Wheel and tire combinations
>> Wheels and tires.