208Vehicle careWheel changingSome vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel
3 204.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
● Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-slippery surface. The
front wheels must be in the
straight-ahead position.
● Apply the parking brake and engage first gear or reverse gear
(manual transmission) or N
(manual transmission
automated).
● Switch off the air suspension system 3 140.
● Remove the spare wheel 3 210.
● Never change more than one wheel at a time.
● Use the jack only to change wheels in case of puncture, not
for seasonal winter or summer
tyre change.
● The jack is maintenance-free.● If the ground on which the vehicle
is standing is soft, a solid board
(max. 1 cm thick) should be
placed under the jack.
● No people or animals may be in the vehicle when it is jacked-up.
● Never crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
● Do not start the engine when the vehicle is raised on the jack.
● Clean wheel bolts/nuts and their threads before mounting thewheel.9 Warning
Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel
nut and wheel nut cone.
1. Remove the wheel cover using the hook supplied. Vehicle tools
3 198.
Depending on vehicle, first
remove the bolt/nut covers by
hand then remove the wheel
cover, or press wheel cover at the points indicated by the arrows and
turn to release.
Rear-wheel drive, with twin rear
wheels: Remove the tyre valve
extender from the inner rear
wheel.
2. Install the wheel wrench (depending on vehicle, attach
wheel wrench to adapters)
ensuring that it locates securely
and loosen each wheel bolt/nut by half a turn.
Vehicle care209
3. Vehicles with Front-wheel drive:If equipped, attached heightener
to lifting pad when changing a
front wheel.
Raise vehicle by placing lifting
pad spigot of the jack (vehicle
tools 3 198) under the jacking
hole located nearest the wheel
concerned.
Ensure the jack is positioned
correctly. The jack base must be
on the ground directly below the
jacking hole in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
Attach wheel wrench onto the jack
and raise the vehicle (max. 3 cm)
by turning the wrench until the
wheel is clear of the ground.
Vehicles with Rear-wheel drive:
Pay attention to the operating
instructions supplied with the
hydraulic jack (vehicle tools
3 198) and assemble the parts
required as specified.
Position the adapter at the jacking
hole located nearest the wheel
concerned.
Ensure the jack is positioned
correctly. The jack head must be
level with the jacking hole. Pump
the jack by pressing the wheel
wrench/adapters, to position the
base plate correctly.
Raise the vehicle (max. 3 cm) by pressing the wheel wrench until
the wheel is clear of the ground.
4. Unscrew wheel bolts/nuts completely and wipe clean with a
cloth.
Put wheel bolts/nuts somewhere
where the threads will not be
soiled.
5. Change the wheel.
6. Screw in the wheel bolts/nuts.
7. Lower vehicle.
8. Install the wheel wrench (depending on vehicle, attach
wheel wrench to adapters)
ensuring that it locates securely
and tighten each wheel bolt/nut in a crosswise sequence. Tighteningtorque is: 172 Nm (Front-wheel
drive), 235 Nm (Rear-wheel drive
with twin rear wheels), 264 Nm
(Rear-wheel drive with single rear
wheels).
9. Refit wheel cover. Rear-wheel drive, with twin rear
wheels: Install the tyre valve
extender to the inner rear wheel
before refitting the wheel cover.
210Vehicle careNote
If applicable, fit anti-theft bolts
nearest the tyre valve (otherwise it
may not be possible to refit the wheel cover).
10. Stow the replaced wheel 3 210
and the vehicle tools 3 198.
11. Have the new wheel balanced on the vehicle. Check the tyre
pressure of the installed tyre
3 246 and also the wheel bolt/nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with atyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel
3 204.
If mounting a spare wheel which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
The spare wheel is held under the
vehicle frame using a winch and
secured by tightening a cable using
the wheel wrench and adapters
(depending on vehicle).
It may be necessary to jack the
vehicle up to gain access to the spare
wheel on a fully loaded vehicle with a flat rear tyre.
To release the spare wheel, loosen
cable by connecting the wheel
wrench and adapters (depending on
vehicle) to the slot position illustrated
and lower the wheel fully by turning
wrench clockwise.
Caution
Only use the wheel wrench and
adapters (depending on vehicle)
to lower the spare wheel.
The use of pneumatic tools is
prohibited. This may result in
damage to the winch cable and
equipment.
Vehicle care211
Place wheel upright, unclip retainer
from wheel rim and release the wheel
from the cable and connected
retainer by routing these components through the centre of the wheel.
Twin rear wheel vehicles have an
additional mounting plate attached to
the spare wheel. Before using the
wheel, undo the nut and remove the
mounting plate.When reinstalling a spare wheel, first
attach the mounting plate (twin rear
wheel vehicles) and secure with the
nut.
Place wheel upright, then route the
cable and connected retainer from
the front of the wheel (side with tyre
valve) and through the centre of the
wheel. Attach the retainer and clip it
into place, ensuring it is correctly
positioned and that the front of the
wheel (side with tyre valve) will be
facing upwards when reinstalled.Place wheel below the vehicle frame,
directly beneath the winch
mechanism.
212Vehicle careThen tighten cable using the wheel
wrench and adapters by connecting
to the slot position illustrated above
and turning wrench anticlockwise
until the wheel is secured in the fully
raised position.9 Warning
Ensure the front of the wheel (side
with tyre valve) is facing upwards
when the spare wheel is
reinstalled below the vehicle
frame.
Temporary spare wheel
Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 204.
Summer and winter tyres
If you use winter tyres, the spare
wheel may still be fitted with a
summer tyre.
If you use the spare wheel when it is
fitted with a summer tyre the vehicle's driveability may be affected,
especially on slippery road surfaces.
Directional tyres Fit directional tyres such that they rollin the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.
Vehicle care215far away from the discharged
vehicle battery as possible,
however at least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump start.
2. After five minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
one minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. three minutes with the
leads connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle The towing eye and wheel wrench are
stowed with the vehicle tools 3 198.
Disengage the cover using a suitable
tool and remove.
Screw the towing eye clockwise into
the front towing point and tighten fully using the wheel wrench.
Attach a tow rope - or better still a tow
rod - to the towing eye, never to the
bumper or front suspension units.
Caution
Do not tow the vehicle from the
rear. The front towing eye must
only be used for towing and not
recovering a vehicle.
Switch on ignition to permit operation
of brake lights, horn and windscreen
wipers, and move the steering wheel
slightly to release the steering wheel
lock.
Switch off the air suspension system 3 140.
Transmission in neutral.
Caution
Vehicles with manual
transmission automated: If neutral cannot be selected, the vehiclemust only be towed with the drive
wheels raised off the ground.
The vehicle should always be
towed with the ignition switched
off.
Manual transmission automated
3 150.
Vehicle care217Appearance care
Exterior care LocksThe locks are lubricated at the factoryusing a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock
function. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
WashingThe paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing. Restrictions for
filmed or matt painted body parts or decor tapes, see "Polishing and
waxing".
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can cause paint damage.If using a vehicle wash, comply with
the vehicle wash manufacturer's
instructions. The windscreen wipers
must be switched off and the exterior
mirrors must be folded in. Remove
antenna and external accessories
such as roof racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wheel housings are also thoroughly
rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened
doors and the bonnet as well as the
areas they cover.
Clean bright metal mouldings with a
cleaning solution approved for
aluminium to avoid damages.Caution
Always use a cleaning agent with
a pH value of four to nine.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot surfaces.
Have the door hinges of all doors
greased by a workshop.
Do not clean the engine compartment with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Thoroughly rinse and leather-off the vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use
separate leathers for painted and
glass surfaces: remnants of wax on
the windows will impair vision.
Do not use hard objects to remove
spots of tar. Use tar removal spray on
painted surfaces.
Exterior lights
Headlight and other light covers are
made of plastic. Do not use any
abrasive or caustic agents, do not use an ice scraper, and do not clean them
dry.
Polishing and waxing
Wax the vehicle regularly (at the
latest when water no longer beads).
Otherwise, the paintwork will dry out.
Polishing is necessary only if the paint
has become dull or if solid deposits
have become attached to it.
218Vehicle carePaintwork polish with silicone forms a
protective film, making waxing
unnecessary.
Unpainted plastic body parts must not be treated with wax or polishing
agents.
Matt filmed body parts or decor tapes must not be polished, to avoid
gleaming. Do not use hot wax
programmes in automatic car washes if the vehicle is equipped with theseparts.
Matt painted decor parts, e.g. mirror
housing cover, must not be polished.
Otherwise these parts would become
agleam or the colour would be
dissolved.
Windows and windscreen wiper
blades
Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois
leather together with window cleaner and insect remover.
When cleaning the rear window from
inside, always wipe in parallel to the
heating element to prevent damage.For mechanical removal of ice, use a
sharp-edged ice scraper. Press the
scraper firmly against the glass so
that no dirt can get under it and
scratch the glass.
Remove dirt residues from smearing wiper blades by using a soft cloth and
window cleaner. Also make sure to
remove any residues such as wax,
insect residues and similar from the
window.
Wheels and tyres
Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damage
Rectify minor paintwork damage with
a touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust areas repaired by a workshop.Underbody
Some areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other
critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.
After the underbody is washed, check
the underbody and have it waxed if
necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could
damage the PVC coating. Have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.
Towing equipment Do not clean the coupling ball bar with
a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.