positions for a short time. This is rectified after a
few minutes of driving; the tire pressures are
then displayed for the correct positions.
Restarting the tire pressure monitor
General notes
When you restart the tire pressure monitor, all
existing warning messages are deleted and the
warning lamp goes out. The monitor uses the
currently set tire pressures as the reference val-
ues for monitoring. In most cases, the tire pres-
sure monitor will automatically detect the new
reference values after you have changed the tire
pressures. However, you can also define refer-
ence values manually as described here. The tire
pressure monitor then monitors the new tire
pressure values.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
The vehicle must be stationary. Use the buttons
in the instrument cluster.
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XPress Èto select the TirePressuremenu.
XPress3to confirm.
The display shows the Monitoring Active
message.
XPress3to confirm.
The display shows the Tire Pressure OK?
message.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
XPress the fbutton.
The display shows the distance menu.
After you have driven for a few minutes, the
system checks whether the current tire pres-
sures are within the specified range. The new
tire pressures are then accepted as reference
values and are monitored.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
XPress g.
The display shows the tire pressure menu.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
Using the steering wheel buttons
XMake sure that the tire pressure of all four
wheels is set correctly for the current oper-
ating conditions. When doing so, observe the
notes under "Tire pressure" (
Ypage 280).
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XPress =or; to select the Servicemenu.
XPress9or: to select the TirePres‐suresubmenu.
XPressato confirm.
The display shows either the current tire pres-
sure for the individual tires, or the Tire
pressure will be displayed afterdriving a few minutesmessage.
XPress the:button.
The display shows the Use Current Pres‐
sures as New Reference Values:mes-
sage.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
XPress the abutton.
The display shows the Tire Press. Moni‐
tor Restartedmessage.
After you have driven for a few minutes, the
system checks whether the current tire pres- sures are within the specified range. The new
tire pressures are then accepted as reference
values and are monitored.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
XPress the %button.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Tire pressure287
Wheels and tires
Z
Load index
Load index (example)
In addition to the load-bearing index, load rat-
ing:may be imprinted after the letters that
identify speed rating on the sidewall of the tire
(
Ypage 291).
RIf no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard load
(SL) tire
RRF or Reinforced: represents a reinforced tire.
Alternatively, depending on the manufac-
turer, the designation XL (Extra Load) can be
used.
RLight Load: represents a light load tire
RC, D, E: represents a load range that depends
on the maximum load that the tire can carry at
a certain pressure
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Maximum tire load
Example: maximum tire load
Maximum tire load :is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissible load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (
Ypage 288).
iThe actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the values
in the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations stipulate that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprint a TIN in
or on the sidewall of each tire produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifica-
tion code ;, tire size =, tire type code ?and
manufacturing date A.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol :indicates that the tire complies with
the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code: manufac-
turer identification code ;provides details on
the tire manufacturer. New tires have a code
with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a code
with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
(
Ypage 277).
Tire size: identifier=describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code?can be used by
the manufacturer as a code to describe specific
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufactureA
provides information about the age of a tire. The first and second positions represent the week of
manufacture, starting with "01" for the first cal-
endar week. Positions three and four represent
What you should know about wheels and tires293
Wheels and tires
Z
