144Vehicle careVehicle batteryThe vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
3 105.
Disconnecting the battery
If the vehicle's battery is to be
disconnected (e.g. for maintenance
work), the alarm siren must be
deactivated as follows: Switch the
ignition on then off, then disconnect
the vehicle's battery within
15 seconds.
Replacing the vehicle battery
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area, it
must be closed off with a dummy cap,
and the ventilation in the vicinity of the negative terminal must be opened.
Only use vehicle batteries that allow
the fuse box to be mounted above the
vehicle battery.
Ensure that the battery is always replaced by the same type of battery.We recommend that you have the
vehicle battery replaced by a
workshop.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols: ● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
Vehicle care161Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations 3 186.
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.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased on a vehicle with tyre
pressure monitoring system, switch
off ignition.
Temperature dependency
The 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
10 kPa for a 10 °C temperature
increase. This must be considered
when warm tyres are checked.
The tyre pressure value displayed in
the Driver Information Centre shows
the real tyre pressure. A cooled down tyre will show a decreased value,which does not indicate an air leak.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) checks the pressure of all
four tyres once a minute when vehicle speed exceeds a certain limit.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.
Note
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle operating permit.
The current tyre pressures can be
shown in the Vehicle Information
Menu in the Driver Information
Centre.
162Vehicle careThe menu can be selected by thebuttons on the turn signal lever.
Press MENU to select the Vehicle
Information Menu X.
Turn the adjuster wheel to select the
tyre pressure monitoring system.
System status and pressure warnings
are displayed by a message with the
corresponding tyre flashing in the
Driver Information Centre.
The system considers the tyre
temperature for the warnings.
A detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by illumination
of control indicator w 3 71.
If w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 186.
If
w flashes for 60-90 seconds and
then illuminates continuously, there is
a fault in the system. Consult a
workshop.
After inflating, 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 79.
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
Vehicle care163illuminates. For the further three
wheels the system remains
operational.
The 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 to the tyre information label or tyre pressure chart 3 186, and
select the appropriate setting in the
Tyre load menu in the Driver
Information Centre 3 73. This setting
is the reference for the tyre pressure
warnings.The Tyre Load menu only appears if
the vehicle is in a standstill and the
parking brake is applied. On vehicles
with automatic transmission, the
selector lever must be in P.
Select:
● Light for comfort pressure up to
3 people.
● Eco for Eco pressure up to
3 people.
● Max for full load.
Tyre pressure sensor matching
process
Each tyre pressure sensor has a
unique identification code. The
identification code must be matched
to a new wheel position after rotating the wheels or exchanging the
complete wheel set and if one or more
tyre pressure sensors were replaced. The tyre pressure sensor matching
process should also be performed
after replacing a spare wheel with a
road wheel containing the tyre
pressure sensor.
The malfunction light w and the
warning message or code should
extinguish at the next ignition cycle.
The sensors are matched to the
wheel positions using a relearn tool,
in the following order: left side front
wheel, right side front wheel, right
side rear wheel and left side rear
wheel. The turn signal light at the
current active position is illuminated
until the sensor is matched.
Consult a workshop for service. There
are two minutes to match the first
wheel position, and five minutes
overall to match all four wheel
Vehicle care165
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
is the same as before.
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
nominal tyre pressure and make
other vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced. 3 1619 Warning
The use of unsuitable tyres or
wheels may lead to accidents and will invalidate the vehicle
operating permit.
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.
Tyre chains
Use tyre chains only on front wheels.
166Vehicle care9Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Always use fine mesh chains that add
no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain
lock).
Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 205/60 R16 and
215/50 R17.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Wheel changing
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 .
● 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.
Jacking positions
The jacking positions shown refer to
the use of lifting arms and accessory
jacks used for changing winter /
summer tyres.
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform centrically under the recess
of the sill.
168Vehicle care● Never crawl under a jacked-upvehicle.
● 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. Pull off
the wheel cover. Vehicle tools
3 159.
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.
2. Fold out the wheel wrench and install ensuring that it locates
securely and loosen each wheel
nut by half a turn.
Vehicle tools 3 159
The wheels might be protected by
locking wheel nuts. To loosen
these specific nuts first attach the
adapter onto the head of the nut
before installing the wheel
wrench. The adapter is located in
the glovebox.3. Ensure the jack is correctly positioned under the relevant
vehicle jacking point.
4. Set the jack to the necessary height. Position it directly below
170Vehicle care3. Place spare wheel facingupwards, in the wheel well and
secure by tightening the wing nut.
4. Close floor cover.
9 Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not secured properly.
During a sudden stop or a
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone.
Always store jack and tools in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load compartment must always be
secured with the strap.
Spare wheel with directional tyre
Fit directional tyres such that they rollin the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.
Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.
● Never expose the vehicle battery
to naked flames or sparks.