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Vehicle care183Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition
Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
We recommend not swapping the
front wheels with the rear wheels and vice versa, as this can affect vehicle
stability. Always use less worn tyres
on the rear axle.
Tyres Factory-fitted tyres are matched to
the chassis and offer optimum driving comfort and safety.Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, a notice indicating the
maximum permissible speed for the
tyres must be affixed within the
driver's field of vision.
Tyre designations E.g. 195/65 R 16 C 88 Q195:Tyre width, mm65:Cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:Belt type: RadialRF:Type: RunFlat16:Wheel diameter, inchesC:Cargo or commercial use88:Load index e.g. 88 is
equivalent to 567 kgQ:Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q:up to 100 mphS:up to 112 mphT:up to 118 mphH:up to 130 mphV:up to 150 mphW:up to 168 mph
Choose a tyre appropriate for the
maximum speed of your vehicle.
The maximum speed is achievable at kerb weight with driver (75 kg) plus
125 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the maximum speed of
the vehicle.
Directional tyres
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring system.
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184Vehicle care
The tyre pressure information label
on the driver's door frame indicates
the original equipment tyres and the
correspondent tyre pressures.
Always inflate tyres to the pressures
shown on the label.
Tyre pressures 3 216.
The tyre pressure data refers to cold tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare tyre to the
pressure specified for full load.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 206.
2. Identify the respective tyre.
The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations 3 216.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
9 Warning
For specific tyres the
recommended tyre pressure as
shown in the tyre pressure table may exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
Never exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
Temperature dependency
Tyre pressure depends on the
temperature of the tyre. During
driving, tyre temperature and
pressure increase.
Tyre pressure values provided on the
tyre information label and tyre
pressure chart are valid for cold tyres, which means at 20 °C. The pressure
increases by nearly 1.5 psi for a
10 °C temperature increase. This
must be considered when warm tyres
are checked.
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Vehicle care185Trailer towingWhen towing a trailer with a fully
laden vehicle, the tyre pressure must
be increased by 20 kPa/0.2 bar
(3.0 psi) and the maximum speed
limited to 60 mph.
Trailer towing 3 159.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
uses radio and sensor technology to
check tyre pressure levels.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.
All wheels must be equipped with pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure.
Notice
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
The tyre pressure monitoring system
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the tyres and transmit tyre pressure
readings to a receiver located in the
vehicle.
Tyre pressure chart 3 216.
Low tyre pressure conditionA detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by illumination
of control indicator w 3 98 and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
If w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 216.
After inflating, some driving may be
required to update the tyre pressure
values in the system. During this time
w may illuminate.
If w illuminates at lower temperatures
and extinguishes after some driving,
this could be an indicator for
approaching a low tyre pressure
condition. Check tyre pressure of all
four tyres.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased, switch off ignition.
Only mount wheels with pressure
sensors, otherwise w flashes for
several seconds then illuminates
continuously together with control
indicator F 3 96 and a corresponding
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
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186Vehicle careA spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel is not equipped with pressure
sensors. The tyre pressure
monitoring system is not operational
for these wheels. For the further three wheels, the tyre pressure monitoring
system remains operational.
Control indicator w and the
corresponding message appears at
each ignition cycle until the tyres are
inflated to the correct tyre pressure.
Driver Information Centre 3 100.
Vehicle messages 3 101.
Puncture A puncture or severely under-inflated
tyre is indicated by illumination of
control indicator w together with C
3 96 and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre. Stop vehicle and switch off
engine.
Tyre pressure 3 216.
Tyre repair kit 3 188.
Spare wheel 3 192.
Wheel changing 3 191.Relearn function
After a puncture has been repaired
and the driver has inflated the tyres to
the correct tyre pressure, the tyre
pressure monitoring system needs to recalculate.
Tyre pressure 3 216.
Tyre repair kit 3 188.
During driving, select the tyre
pressure menu in the Driver
Information Centre by pressing button
on end of wiper lever. Press and hold button for approx. five seconds to
initialise recalculation. A
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Several minutes of driving at a speed above 25 mph may be required to
complete the relearn process. The system can only provide limited
information during this time.
If problems occur during the relearn
process, control indicator w remains
illuminated and a warning message is displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Driver Information Centre 3 100.
Vehicle messages 3 101.
General information The use of tyre chains or
commercially available liquid tyre
repair kits can impair the function of
the system. Factory-approved tyre
repair kits can be used.
Tyre repair kit 3 188, Tyre chains
3 188.
External high-power radio equipment
could disrupt the tyre pressure
monitoring system.
Each time the tyres are replaced, the
tyre pressure monitoring system
sensors must be dismounted and
serviced by a workshop.
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Vehicle care187Tread depthCheck tread depth at regular
intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety
reasons at a tread depth of two to
three mm (four mm for winter tyres).
For safety reasons it is recommended
that the tread depth of the tyres on
one axle should not vary by more than
two mm.
The legally permissible minimum
tread depth (1.6 mm) has been
reached when the tread has worn
down as far as one of the tread wear
indicators (TWI). Their position is
indicated by markings on the
sidewall.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every six years.
Changing tyre and wheel size
If tyres of a different size than those
fitted at the factory are used, it may be necessary to reprogramme the
speedometer as well as the nominal
tyre pressure and make other vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels
may lead to accidents and will
invalidate the vehicle type
approval.
Wheel covers
Wheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
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188Vehicle careTyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 15 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
For tyre size 215/60 R17, consult a
workshop.
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Wheel covers on steel wheels may
come into contact with parts of the
chains. In such cases, remove the
wheel covers.
Tyre chains may only be used at
speeds up to 30 mph and, when
travelling on roads that are free of
snow, they may only be used for brief
periods since they are subject to rapid wear on a hard road and may snap.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit Minor damage to the tyre tread or
sidewall can be repaired with the tyre
repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding four mm or
that is at tyre sidewall near the rim
cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If the vehicle has a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear or reverse gear.
The tyre repair kit is located under the
driver's seat. Vehicle tools 3 182.
1. Remove the compressor and sealant bottle from the tyre repairkit case.
2. Remove the electrical connection cable and air hose from the
compartments on the underside
of the compressor.
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Vehicle care189
3. Screw the air hose to theconnection on the sealant bottle.
4. Fit the sealant bottle into the retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre
in such a way that the sealant
bottle is upright.
5. Unscrew valve cap from defective
tyre.6. Screw the filler hose to the tyre valve.
7. The switch on the compressor must be set to O.
8. Connect the electrical connection cable to the power outlet or
cigarette lighter socket.
To avoid discharging the vehicle
battery, we recommend running
the engine.9. Set the rocker switch on the compressor to I. The tyre is filled
with sealant.
10. The compressor pressure gauge briefly indicates up to six bar
(600 kPa/87 psi). Then the
pressure starts to drop.
11. All of the sealant is pumped into the tyre. Then the tyre is inflated.
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190Vehicle care
12. The prescribed tyre pressureshould be obtained within
15 minutes. Tyre pressure
3 216 . When the correct pressure
is obtained, switch off the
compressor.
If the prescribed tyre pressure is
not obtained within 15 minutes,
remove the tyre repair kit. Move
the vehicle one tyre rotation
(approx. two metres). Reattach
the tyre repair kit and continue the
filling procedure for 15 minutes. If
the prescribed tyre pressure is still not obtained, the tyre is too badly
damaged. Seek the assistance of
a workshop.
Drain excess tyre pressure with
the button beside the pressure
indicator.
Do not run the compressor for
longer than 15 minutes.
13. Detach the tyre repair kit.
14. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
15. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the tyre repair kit and affix in the
driver's field of view.
16. Store the sealant bottle in the plastic bag. Return tyre repair kit
to case and stow under the driver's seat.17. Continue driving immediately so that the sealant is evenlydistributed throughout the tyre.
After driving approx. six miles, but no more than ten minutes, stop
and check tyre pressure using the
compressor. Screw air hose from
compressor directly onto tyre
valve when doing this.
18. If the tyre pressure is more than 2.2 bar (220 kPa/31 psi), set it to
the correct value. Repeat the
procedure until there is no more
loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 2.2 bar (220 kPa/31 psi),
the vehicle must not be driven.
Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
19. Detach the tyre repair kit, return to
case and stow under the driver's
seat.9 Warning
Do not allow the sealant to contact
skin, eyes or clothing. If swallowed seek medical assistance
immediately.