Thewear patterns onthe front andrear wheelsdiffer:
RFront wheelswear more onthe shoulder ofthe tire
RRear wheelswear more inthe center ofthetire
Onvehiclesthat havethe same size front andrear wheels,rotatethe wheels accordingtotheintervals inthe tire manufacturer'swarrantybook inyourvehicle documents. Ifthis is notavailable,rotatethe tiresevery3,000to6,000 miles (5,000to10,000 km),depending onthewear. Ensurethatthe directionofrotation is maintained.
It is imperativetoobservethe instructions andsafety notes on "Changing a wheel" when doingso Preparingthevehiclefor a wheelchange(→page 458).
Notes onstoring wheels
Whenstoring wheels, observethefollowingnotes:
RAfterremoving wheels,storethem in a cool,dry and preferably dark place.
RProtectthe tires from contact withoil, greaseor fuel.
Overview ofthe tire-changetool kit
Apart from some country-specificvariants,vehi‐cles are not equipped with a tire-changetool kit.For more information on whichtire-changetoolsarerequired and approvedfor performing awheelchange onyourvehicle, consult aqualifiedspecialistworkshop.
Required tire-changetools may include,forexample:
RJack
RChock
RLug wrench
RAlignment bolt
The tire-changetool kit is located underthetrunkfloor.
1Ratchet
2Alignment bolt
3Jacking support
4Jack
5Lug wrench
6Foldingchock
Wheels and tires457
#Pressthe wheelfirmlyagainstthewheel hub when screwing onthefirstwheel bolt.
#Tightenthe wheel boltsevenly in a diagonalpattern inthe order indicated untiltheyarefinger-tight.
#Unscrewthe alignment bolt.
#Tightenthe last wheel bolt until it isfinger-tight.
#Lowerthevehicle (→page 463).
Loweringthevehicle after a wheelchange
Requirements:RThe new wheel has been installed(→page 462).
#Placetheratchet ontothe hexagon nut ofthejack sothatthe letters "AB" are visible.
#Tolower thevehicle:turntheratchet ofthejack counter-clockwise.
#Tightenthe wheel boltsevenly in a diagonalpattern inthe order indicated (1to5).Specified tighteningtorque:111lb-ft(150 Nm).
&WARNINGRisk of injurythrough incor‐rect tighteningtorque
The wheelscould come loose ifthe wheelbolts or wheel nuts are not tightenedtotheprescribed tighteningtorque.
#Makesurethe wheel bolts or wheelnuts are tightenedtothe prescribedtighteningtorque.
#Ifyou are not sure, do not movethevehicle. Consult aqualified specialistworkshop and havethe tighteningtor‐quechecked immediately.
#Checkthe tire pressure ofthe newly moun‐ted wheel and adjust accordingly.
#Vehicles with a tire pressure monitoringsystem:Restartthe tire pressure monitoringsystem (→page441).
Makesuretoobservethefollowing furtherrela‐ted subject:
RNotes on tire pressure (→page 435)
Wheels and tires463
