TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is composed of the
manufacturer identification code, tire size, tire
model code and manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a code
that contains the maximum load bearing capa-
city of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the tires
and the road surface.
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar load)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that may act on the ball coupling of the trailer
tow hitch.
Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distrib-
uted over the tire tread. If the tire tread is level
with the bars, the wear limit of áin (1.6 mm)
has been reached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over des-
ignated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight
Nominal load and goods/luggage load plus
68 kg (150 lb s)multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle.
Changing wheels
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions. The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels and tires are of the same dimensions.
!On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are located
in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used near
the valve. This could damage the electronic
components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes under "Mounting a wheel" (
Ypage 299).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the tires according to the intervals in
the tire manufacturer's warranty book in your
vehicle documents. If no warranty book is avail-
able, the tires should be rotated every 3,000 to
6,000 miles (5,000 to 10,000 km) or earlier if
tire wear requires. Do not change the direction
of rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and the
brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel is rota-
ted. Avoid oily or greasy cleaning agents.
Check the tire pressure and reactivate the tire
pressure monitor if necessary.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation have
additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk of hydro-
planing. You will only gain these benefits if the
correct direction of rotation is observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates its
correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel against the direc-tion of rotation. Observe the time restriction on
use as well as the speed limitation specified on
the spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the tires
from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
298Changing wheels
Wheels and tires
Additives
!Do notuse any additive sin th eengin eoil.
This could damag eth eengine.
Engine oil viscosity
!If th eSA Eviscosit yclas sof th eengin eoil
used does no tcover th eoutside temperature
range in whic hyou are operating th evehicle,
it mus tbe changed in goo dtime, in particular
before th ecold season commences. Using an
engin eoil that does no thav eadequate tem-
peratur echaracteristics can lead to engin e
damage.
The temperature range information of th eSA E
classification always refers to that of fresh oil.
The temperature characteristics of th eengin e
oil may deteriorat esignificantly due to agin g
in use, especially at low outside tempera-
tures.
We recommen dthat you chang eth eengin e
oil before th ecold season commences. Use
an approve dengin eoil of th especifie dSA E
class.
Engin eoil SA Eclassification
Viscosit yindicates th eflo wcharacteristics of a
fluid .If an engin eoil has ahigh viscosity, this
mean sthat it is thick ; alow viscosit ymean sthat
it is thin.
Dependin gon th erespective outside tempera-
tures, select an engin eoil according to SA E
classification (viscosity). The table displays th e
SA Eclassification to be used .The low temper-
atur echaracteristics of engin eoils can notice -
ably deteriorat eduring operation ,e.g. from
aging, soo tand fuel accretion .Fo rthis reason ,
regular oil changes usin gan approve dengin eoil
from th esuitable SA Eclassification are urgently
recommended.
Oil change
Oil chang eintervals depend on th evehicle's
operating condition sand th equalit yof th e
engin eoil used .The on-board computer auto -
matically shows th edat efor th enext oil chang e
as an event message in th edisplay.
Mercedes-Benz recommends having th eoil
changed at aqualified specialist workshop .
Information about oil consump tion
Dependin gon th edrivin gstyle, th evehicl econ-
sumes amaximum of 1. 0US qt (1. 0l)of engine
oil over a distance of 620 miles (1,000 km).
Oil consumption may be higher if:
RThe vehicle is new.
RYou mainly operate the vehicle under arduous
operating conditions.
RYou frequently drive at high engine speeds.
Regular maintenance is one of the preconditions
for moderate rates of consumption.
You can only estimate the oil consumption after
you have driven a considerable distance.
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis, e.g.
weekly or each time you refuel (
Ypage 254).
Transmission oil
Automatic transmission
Operating fluid: automatic transmission
fluid
Product name/numberMaintenance interval
Mobil ATF 134 FE
Valvoline ATF Pro 236.15
MB Sheet No. 236.15—
More information can be obtained at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
310Service products and capacities
Technical data