254Vehicle careWheels 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.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and shouldtherefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 295.Tyre designations
E.g. 215/60 R 16 95 H215:tyre width, mm60:cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:belt type: RadialRF:type: RunFlat16:wheel diameter, inches95:load index e.g. 95 is equivalent
to 690 kgH:speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q:up to 160 km/hS:up to 180 km/hT:up to 190 km/hH:up to 210 km/hV:up to 240 km/hW:up to 270 km/h
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.
Performance 3 286.
Directional tyres
Directional tyres should be mounted
so that they rotate in the correct
direction. The proper rotation
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.
Unscrew the valve cap.
Tyre pressure 3 295.
256Vehicle careTyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
checks the pressure of all four wheels once a minute when vehicle speed
exceeds a certain limit.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns just 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.
Note
In countries where the tyre pressure monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
Select the Tyre pressure monitoring
page under the Info Menu in the
Driver Information Centre 3 111.
System status and pressure warnings
are displayed by a message
indicating the corresponding tyre in
the Driver Information Centre.
The system considers the tyre
temperature for the warnings.
Temperature dependency 3 254.
A detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by the control
indicator w 3 109.
If
w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 295.
After inflating, some driving may be
required to update the tyre pressure
values in the Driver Information
Centre. 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.
Vehicle messages 3 120.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced or increased, switch off ignition.
Only mount wheels with pressure
sensors, otherwise the tyre pressure
will not be displayed and w
illuminates continuously.
A spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel is not equipped with pressure
sensors. The tyre pressure
monitoring system is not operational
for these wheels. Control indicator w
illuminates. For the further three
wheels the system remains
operational.
Vehicle care257The use of commercially available
liquid tyre repair kits can impair the
function of the system. Factory-
approved repair kits can be used.
Operating electronic devices or being
close to facilities using similar wave
frequencies could disrupt the tyre
pressure monitoring system.
Each time the tyres are replaced tyre
pressure monitoring system sensors
must be dismounted and serviced.
For the screwed sensor replace valve core and sealing ring, for clipped
sensor replace complete valve stem.
Vehicle loading status Adjust tyre pressure to load condition
according tyre information label or
tyre pressure chart 3 295, and select
the appropriate setting in the Tyre
loading page under the Settings
menu in the Driver Information Centre 3 111 . This setting is the reference for
the tyre pressure warnings.
The menu Tyre loading only appears
if the vehicle is in a standstill and the parking brake is applied. On vehicles
with automatic transmission the
selector lever has to be in P.
Select:
● Light for comfort pressure up to
3 people.
● Eco for Eco pressure up to
3 people.
● Max for full loading.
Auto learn function
After changing wheels the vehicle
must be stationary for approx.
20 minutes, before the system
recalculates. The following relearn
process takes up to 10 minutes of
driving with a minimum speed of
20 km/h. In this case $ can be
displayed or pressure values can
swap in the Driver Information Centre.
If problems occur during the relearn
process, a warning message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Tread depthCheck tread depth at regular
intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety
reasons at a tread depth of 2-3 mm
(4 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 2 mm.
258Vehicle care
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.
If there is more wear at the front than
the rear, swap round front wheels and rear wheels periodically. Ensure that
the direction of rotation of the wheels
remains the same.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every 6 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.
Vehicles with steel wheels: When
using locking wheel nuts, do not
attach wheel covers.
Wheel caps Tyres of size 245/35 R20 have a
specific wheel cap. To remove the
cap from the dismantled wheel, first
disengage the arms one by one. Then press the cap in the middle area from
behind and remove it.
To assemble, first adjust the wheel
cap in order that the positioning leg
fits into the recess.
Vehicle care259Tyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer
Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 215/60 R16,
225/50 R17 and 235/45 R18.
Country Tourer
Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 235/45 R18.
Temporary spare wheel
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at tyre's side wall cannot be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is in a compartment
under the floor cover in the load
compartment.
1. Take the tyre repair kit from the compartment.
2. Remove the compressor.
262Vehicle careNote
The driving characteristics of the repaired tyre is severely affected,
therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off for at least 30
minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at a
pressure of 7 bar.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle. Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used
to pump up other items e.g.
footballs, air mattresses, inflatable
dinghies etc. They are located on the underside of the compressor. To
remove, screw on compressor air hose and withdraw adapter.Wheel changing
Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel
3 259.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
● Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-skid surface. The front
wheels must be in the straight- ahead position.
● Apply the parking brake and engage first gear, reverse gear or
P .
● Remove the spare wheel 3 264.
● Never change more than one wheel at once.
● 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.
● Take heavy objects out of the vehicle before jacking up.● 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 vehicle when it is
raised on the jack.
● Clean wheel nuts and thread with
a clean cloth before mounting the
wheel.9 Warning
Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel
nut and wheel nut cone.
1. Disengage wheel nut caps with a screwdriver and remove.
Steel wheels with cover: Pull off
the wheel cover.
Alloy wheels: Disengage wheel
nut caps with a screwdriver and
remove. To protect the wheel,
place a soft cloth between the
screwdriver and the alloy wheel.
Vehicle care263
2. Fold out the wheel wrench andinstall ensuring that it locates
securely and loosen each wheel
nut by half a turn.
The wheels might be protected by
locking wheel nuts. To loosen
these specific nuts, first attach the adapter for the locking wheel nuts
onto the head of the nut before
installing the wheel wrench. The
adapter is located in the glovebox.3. Some versions may have covered
the vehicle jacking point. Pull out
the cover sideways.
4. Ensure the jack is correctly positioned under the relevant
vehicle jacking point.
5. Set the jack to the necessary height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
264Vehicle care
Attach wheel wrench and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate wheel wrench until wheel is clear of the
ground.
6. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 7. Change the wheel. Spare wheel 3 264.
8. Screw on the wheel nuts.
9. Lower vehicle.
10. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
150 Nm.
11. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
12. Install vehicle jacking point cover.
13. Stow and secure the replaced wheel 3 264, the vehicle tools
3 253 and the adapter for the
locking wheel nuts 3 70.
14. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
Jacking position for lifting platformRear arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
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,