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
(Y page
278).
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 manufacture
A provides information about the age of a
tire. The first and second positions represent
the week of manufacture, starting with "01"
for the first calendar week. Positions three and
four represent the year of manufacture. For
example, a tire that is marked with "3208" was
manufactured in week 32 in 2008.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics This information describes the type of tire cord
and the number of layers in sidewall : and
under tire tread ;.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example. Definitions for tires and loading Tire structure and characteristics
Describes the number of layers or the number
of rubber-coated belts in the tire tread and the
tire wall. These consist of steel, nylon, poly-
ester, and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure.
14.5038 pounds
per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals (kPa)
are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of
the United States Department of Transporta-
tion.
Average weight of vehicle occupantsThe number of occupants for which the vehicle
is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lbs).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards A uniform standard to grade the quality of tires
with regard to tread quality, traction and tem-
perature characteristics. The quality grading
assessment is made by the manufacturer fol-
lowing specifications from the U.S govern-
ment. The quality grade of a tire is imprinted
on the sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
The recommended tire pressures are the pres-
sures specified for the tires mounted on the
vehicle at the factory.
The tire and load information table 1
contains
the recommended tire pressures for cold tires,
the maximum permissible load and the maxi-
mum permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recom-
mended tire pressure for cold tires under vari-
ous operating conditions, i.e. loading and/or
speed of the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment
The combined weight of all standard and
optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed on
the vehicle or not.
1 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than
10,000 lbs (4536 kg).What you should know about wheels and tires
295
Wheels and tires Z
X
Turn the jack back to its out-of-use position.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the tire-
change tool kit in the vehicle again.
X Wheel with hub cap: position the opening
for the tire valve in the hub cap over the tire
valve.
X Push the edge of the hub cap with both
hands against the wheel until it clicks into
place. Make sure the hub cap retaining
catches engage on the steel wheel.
X If included in the vehicle equipment, secure
the faulty wheel in the spare wheel bracket
(Y page
303). Otherwise, transport the
faulty wheel in the cargo compartment.
X Check the tire pressure of the newly moun-
ted wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tire pressure
( Y page
282).
Vehicles with the tire pressure monitor sys-
tem: all mounted wheels must be equipped
with functioning sensors.
X Retighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts to
the specified tightening torque after the
vehicle has been driven for
30 miles
(50 km).
When using a wheel/spare wheel with a new
or newly painted wheel rim, have the wheel
bolts/nuts retightened again after approx-
imately
600 to 3,000 miles (1,000 to
5,000 km). Observe the specified tightening
torque. Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
! Retreaded tires are neither tested nor rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz, since previ-
ous damage cannot always be detected on
retreaded tires. As a result, Mercedes-Benz
cannot guarantee vehicle safety if retreaded
tires are mounted. Do not mount used tires
if you have no information about their previ-
ous usage.
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use tires, wheels and accessories which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the driving safety systems, such as
ABS or ESP
®
.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Certain
characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle noise
emissions or fuel consumption, may other-
wise be adversely affected. In addition,
when driving with a load, tire dimension var-
iations could cause the tires to come into
contact with the bodywork and axle compo-
nents. This could result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for dam-
age resulting from the use of tires, wheels
or accessories other than those tested and
approved.
Further information on wheels, tires and
approved combinations can be obtained
from a qualified specialist workshop.
! Large wheels: the lower the section width
for a certain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tires as a result of driving over obstacles
increases.
You will find a table with the recommended
tire pressures for various vehicle loads on the
inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap or under
"Tire pressure tables"
(Y page 289). You can
find further information under "Tire pressure"
( Y page 282).
Check tire pressures regularly and only when
the tires are cold.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle:
R with tires of the same size across an axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tires on all wheels at
a given time (summer tires, winter tires)
i Not all wheel/tire combinations can be
installed at the factory in all countries. Wheel and tire combinations
301
Wheels and tires Z
Tires
R 17 Tires Steel wheels
225/55 R17 RF (XL) 101V 6.5 J x 17 H2 ET 50
225/55 R17 RF (XL) 101H 6.5 J x 17 H2 ET 50
R 17
Tires Alloy wheels
225/55 R17 RF (XL) 101V 7 J x 17 H2 ET 51
225/55 R17 RF (XL) 101H 7 J x 17 H2 ET 51
Spare wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the
type of tire can vary between the spare
wheel and the wheel to be replaced. When
the spare wheel is mounted, driving charac-
teristics may be severely affected. There is a
risk of an accident.
In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never mount more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
R only use a spare wheel that differs from
the wheel to be replaced for a short time.
R do not deactivate ESP ®
.
R have a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type.
When using a spare wheel of a different size,
do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). General notes
The procedure for mounting the spare wheel is
described in "Mounting a wheel"
(Y page 298).
The following should be checked regularly,
particularly prior to long journeys:
R the tire pressure of the spare wheel, which
should then be corrected if necessary
(Y page 282)
R the fastenings of the spare wheel bracket
The spare wheel is located either in the left
rear compartment or in a spare wheel bracket
under the vehicle.
Replace the tires after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
spare wheel.
Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: the
spare wheel is not equipped with a sensor for
monitoring tire pressure. If you have installed
a spare wheel, the tire pressure monitor will
not function for this wheel. The system may
continue to show the tire pressure of the
wheel that has been removed for a few
minutes. The value displayed for the position
where the spare wheel is installed is not the
same as the current tire pressure of the spare
wheel.
When you are driving with the spare wheel
mounted, the tire pressure monitor cannot
function reliably. Only restart the tire pressure
monitor when the defective wheel has been
replaced with a new wheel and sensor.
More Information can be found under "Tire
pressure monitor" (Y page 285). 302
Spare wheel
Wheels and tires