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through the air intake causing severe internal engine damage. Any such dam- age is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
Always fasten items being carried as secure- ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud- den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle occupants unless the items are securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob- jects.
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive Mercedes-Benz service network at your disposal. If you plan to drive into areas which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you should request pertinent information from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Operation Driving instructions
Control and operation of radio trans- mitter
COMAND, radio and telephone*
Warning!
Please do not forget that your primary re- sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely. Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man- agement and Data System), radio or tele- phone1 if road, weather and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate- ly 14 m) every second.
1 Observe all legal requirements
295
Warning!
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op- erate this vehicle in areas where combusti- ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Operation Driving instructions
Telephones and two-way radios
Catalytic converter (Gasoline engine)
Warning!
Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with- out being connected to an external antenna) from inside the vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc- tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos- sibly resulting in an accident and/or personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele- phone or a citizens band unit should only be used inside the vehicle if they are con- nected to an antenna that is installed on the outside of the vehicle. Refer to the radio transmitter operation in- structions regarding use of an external an- tenna.
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic-type catalytic converters, an important element in conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con- trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis- sions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating condition by following our rec- ommended maintenance instructions as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
To prevent damage to the catalytic con- verters, only use premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle. Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic converter, causing it to overheat, which could po- tentially start a fire.
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Oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)
Emission control
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with an oxidation catalyst, an important element in conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve substantial control of the pollut- ants in the exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating condition by following our recommended maintenance instructions as outlined in your Mainte- nance Booklet.
Warning!
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op- erate this vehicle in areas where combusti- ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Certain systems of the engine serve to keep the toxic components of the exhaust gases within permissible limits required by law. These systems, of course, will function properly only when maintained strictly ac- cording to factory specifications. Any ad- justments on the engine should, therefore, be carried out only by qualified Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni- cians. Engine adjustments should not be altered in any way. Moreover, the specified service jobs must be carried out regularly according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re- quirements. For details refer to the Mainte- nance Booklet.
Operation Driving instructions
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon- sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one win- dow fully open at all times.
297
Operation Driving instructions
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem- perature may rise close to approximately 248°F (120°C). The engine should not be operated with the coolant temperature over 248°F (120°C). Doing so may cause serious en- gine damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
앫 Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which may have leaked into the engine com- partment, to catch fire. You could be se- riously burned.
앫 Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns and can occur just by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
298
왔 At the gas station Refueling
Warning!
Gasoline and diesel fuel are highly flamma- ble and poisonous. They burn violently and can cause serious injury. Whenever you are around gasoline or diesel fuel, avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smok- ing materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking materials near gasoline or diesel fuel!
The fuel filler flap is located on the right-hand side of the vehicle towards the rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with the remote control automatically locks/unlocks the fuel filler flap.
Diesel engine: When filling the diesel fuel tank using fuel containers, place a filling filter, a suede cloth or a clean flannel cloth into the filler neck to filter the diesel fuel. Otherwise, you could clog the fuel lines.
왘 Turn the engine off
앫 by turning the SmartKey to
position 0.
Operation At the gas station
앫 by pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button. Open the driv- er’s door (with the driver’s door open, starter switch is now in position 0, same as SmartKey re- moved from starter switch).
왘 Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
왘 Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow. The fuel filler flap springs open.
왘 Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure is released. 왘 Take off the cap and set it in the recess
on the fuel filler flap. To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully insert filler nozzle unit.
왘 Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit cuts out – do not top up or over- fill.
컄컄
299
Operation At the gas station
컄컄
Warning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres- sure in the system which could cause a gas or diesel fuel discharge. This could cause the gasoline or diesel fuel to spray back out when removing the fuel pump nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
왘 Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right. You will hear when the fuel cap is tight- ened.
왘 Close the fuel filler flap.
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Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp to flash and the ? malfunction indicator lamp (USA only) or the ± malfunction in- dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi- nate. See also “Practical hints” section (컄 page 362).
Gasoline engine: Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of 96 RON/86 MON). Information on gasoline quality can normally be found on the fuel pump. For more information on gasoline, see the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Diesel engine: Only use commercially available vehic- ular diesel fuels No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM D975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D). Information on diesel quality can normally be found on the fuel pump. For more information on diesel fuels, refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Diesel engine: If you have driven the vehicle until the tank is empty, the fuel system needs to be bled (컄 page 432).
! Diesel engine: The engine is more susceptible to wear and damage if you use 앫 marine diesel fuel 앫 heating oil If you use such non-approved fuels and/or special additives, your warranty rights will be limited.
Low outside temperatures (Diesel en- gine) To prevent malfunctions, diesel fuel with better cold flow characteristics is offered in the winter months. Check with your fuel retailer.
Do not fill the tank with gasoline. Do not mix diesel fuel with gasoline or ker- osene. The fuel system and engine will otherwise be damaged.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1 Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system* For more information on refilling the reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys- tem and headlamp cleaning system*” (컄 page 310).
2 Brake fluid
For more information on brake fluid, see “Brake fluid” (컄 page 464).
3 Coolant level
For more information on the coolant level, see “Coolant level” (컄 page 308).
Operation At the gas station
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or below, have the brake system checked for brake pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the problem. For more information, see “Practical hints” (컄 page 358).
301
Operation At the gas station
Engine oil level For more information on engine oil level, see “Engine oil” (컄 page 304).
Tire inflation pressure For more information, see “Checking tire inflation pressure” (컄 page 322).
Vehicle lighting Check function and cleanliness. For more information on replacing light bulbs, see the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 417). For more information, see “Exterior lamp switch” (컄 page 133).
302
왔 Engine compartment Hood
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi- cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be forced open by passing air flow.
Opening
왘 Pull lever 1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked and handle 2 will extend out of the radiator grille.
To avoid damage to the windshield wip- ers or hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are folded forward away from the windshield.
1 Hood release
2 Handle for opening the hood
Operation Engine compartment
왘 Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radia-
tor grille.
왘 Pull up on the hood (do not pull up on
the handle) and then release it. The hood will be automatically held open at shoulder height by gas-filled struts.
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open and the engine is running. Make sure the hood is properly closed before driving. When closing the hood, use extreme caution not to catch hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap- proximately 30 seconds or even restart af- ter the engine has been turned off. Stay clear of fan blades.
303
Operation Engine compartment
Warning!
Closing
Warning!
Be careful that you do not close the hood on anyone.
왘 Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm). The hood will lock audibly.
왘 Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed. If you can raise the hood at a point above the headlamps, then it is not properly closed. Open it again and let it drop with somewhat greater force.
If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine compartment, or if the coolant tem- perature gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If necessary, call the fire department.
Warning!
Gasoline engine: The engine is equipped with a transistorized ignition system. Be- cause of the high voltage it is dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the igni- tion system 앫 with the engine running 앫 while starting the engine 앫 if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
304
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will depend on a number of factors, including driving style. Higher oil consumption can occur when 앫 the vehicle is new 앫 the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Do not use any special lubricant addi- tives, as these may damage the drive assemblies. Using special additives not approved by Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. More information on this subject is available at any Mercedes-Benz Center.
Checking engine oil level with the con- trol system When checking the oil level 앫 the vehicle must be parked on level
ground
앫 with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been stationary for at least five minutes with the engine turned off
앫 with the engine not at operating tem- perature yet, the vehicle must have been stationary for at least 30 minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the multi- function display, do the following: 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33). The standard display (컄 page 145) should appear in the multifunction display. 왘 Press button k or j, on the
steering wheel until the following message is seen in the multifunction display:
Operation Engine compartment
If you want to interrupt the checking procedure, press the k or j button on the multifunction steering wheel.
One of the following messages will subsequently appear in the indicator: 앫 Engine oil level ok 앫 Add 1.0 Qt.
to reach max. oil level
왘 If necessary, add engine oil. For adding engine oil, see (컄 page 306). For more information on engine oil, see the “Technical data” section (컄 page 461) and (컄 page 464).
(Canada: 1.0 Liter)
앫 Add 1.5 Qts.
to reach max. oil level
(Canada: 1.5 Liters)
앫 Add 2.0 Qts.
to reach max. oil level
(Canada: 2.0 Liters)
Other display messages If the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* is not in position 2, the following message will appear:
Switch on ignition to check engine oil level 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33). If you see the message:
Observe waiting period
305
Operation Engine compartment
왘 If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before repeating check procedure.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine at normal operating temperature, the following message will appear:
왘 If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, wait 30 minutes before repeating check procedure.
If you see the message: Engine oil level Not when engine on 왘 Turn off the engine. 왘 If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before checking oil.
왘 If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait 30 minutes before checking oil.
Engine oil level Reduce oil level 왘 Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For more information on messages in the display concerning engine oil, see the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 387).
Adding engine oil
Only use approved engine oils and oil filters required for vehicles with Main- tenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a list- ing of approved engine oils and oil fil- ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet in your ve- hicle literature portfolio, or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Using engine oils and oil filters of spec- ification other than those expressly re- quired for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter at change intervals longer than those called for by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
306
1 Filler cap (Gasoline engine)
1 Filler cap (Diesel engine) 왘 Unscrew filler cap 1 from filler neck. 왘 Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. Avoid environmental damage caused by oil entering the ground or water.
Operation Engine compartment
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter (Gaso- line engine) or oxidation catalyst (Die- sel engine) not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
왘 Screw filler cap 1 back on filler neck. For more information on engine oil, see the “Technical data” section (컄 page 461) and (컄 page 464).
307
Operation Engine compartment
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need to be checked. If you notice transmission fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions, have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the transmission.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on level ground and the engine must be cool. The coolant expansion tank is located on the driver’s side of the engine compart- ment.
308
Warning!
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns: 앫 Use extreme caution when opening the hood if there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking from the cooling system, or if the coolant temperature gauge indi- cates that the coolant is overheated.
앫 Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to cool down before removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is under pressure.
앫 Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx- imately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pres- sure. If opened immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will be blown out un- der pressure.
앫 Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly- col which may burn if it comes into con- tact with hot engine parts.
1 Coolant expansion tank 왘 Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re- lease any excess pressure.
왘 Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it. The coolant level is correct if the level: 앫 for cold coolant: reaches the black
top part of the reservoir
앫 for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher 왘 Add coolant as required.
왘 Replace and tighten cap. For more information on coolant, see the “Technical data” section (컄 page 466).
Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter- ies: 앫 Auxiliary battery (located in the engine
compartment).
앫 Main battery (starter and electrical
consumers; located in the trunk).
These batteries should always be suffi- ciently charged in order to achieve their rated service life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for battery maintenance intervals. If you use your vehicle mostly for short-dis- tance trips, you will need to have the bat- tery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing batteries, always use bat- teries approved by Mercedes-Benz. If you do not intend to operate your vehicle for an extended period of time, consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about steps you need to observe.
G Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling automotive batteries.
A Risk of explosion. D Keep flames or sparks away B Battery acid is caustic. Do not
from battery. Do not smoke.
allow it to come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with clear water and seek medical help if necessary.
Operation Engine compartment
E Wear eye protection. C Keep children away. F Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.
Batteries contain materials that can harm the environment if disposed of improperly. Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of disposal. Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old batteries for recycling.
309
During all seasons, add MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix the windshield washer fluid in a suitable container. 왘 Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or commercially available premixed wind- shield washer solvent/antifreeze, de- pending on ambient temperatures). Always use washer solvent/antifreeze where temperatures may fall below freezing point. Failure to do so could re- sult in damage to the washer sys- tem/reservoir.
Warning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flam- mable. Do not spill washer solvent/ antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may ignite and burn. You could be seriously burned.
Only use washer fluid which is suitable for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu- id can damage the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
For more information, see “Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio” (컄 page 469).
Operation Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located in the engine compartment.
1 Washer fluid reservoir Fluid for the windshield washer system and the headlamp cleaning system is supplied from the windshield washer reservoir. It has a capacity of: 앫 Vehicles without headlamp cleaning
system: approximately 4.8 US qt (4.5 l).
앫 Vehicles with headlamp cleaning sys-
tem: approximately 7.4 US qt (7 l).
310
왔 Tires and wheels See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for information on tested and recommend- ed rims and tires for summer and winter operation. They can also offer advice con- cerning tire service and purchase.
Warning!
Replace rims or tires with the same designa- tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa- tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are mounted: 앫 The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged
앫 The correct operating clearance of the wheels and the tires are no longer guar- anteed
Warning!
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the particular rim type. Failure to do so can re- sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom- mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous damage cannot always be recognized on retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore not assure the operating safety of the vehi- cle when such tires are used. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for information on tested and recommend- ed rims and tires for summer and winter operation.
Operation Tires and wheels
Important guidelines
앫 Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
앫 Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
앫 Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
앫 Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause tire inflation pressure loss and damage to the tire beads.
앫 If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as re- quired.
앫 Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths under 1/8 in (3 mm).
앫 When replacing individual tires, you should mount new tires on the front wheels first (on vehicles with same-sized wheels all around).
311
Tire inspection Every time you check your tire inflation pressure, you should also inspect your tires for the following: 앫 excessive tread wear (컄 page 313) 앫 cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber
Life of tire The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors including but not limited to: 앫 Driving style 앫 Tire inflation pressure 앫 Distance driven
앫 bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Warning!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread.
Replace the tire if you find any of the above conditions. Make sure you also inspect the spare tire periodically for condition and inflation. Spare tires will age and become worn over time even if never used, and thus should be inspected and replaced when necessary.
Operation Tires and wheels
Tire care and maintenance
Warning!
Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam- aged tires can cause tire inflation pressure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace them.
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure at least once a month. For more informa- tion on checking tire inflation pressure see “Recommended tire inflation pressure” (컄 page 320).
312
Tread depth Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths under 1⁄8 in (3 mm). Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These indicators are located in six places on the tread circumference and become visible at a tread depth of approx- imately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire is considered worn and should be replaced. Recommended minimum tire tread depth: 앫 Summer tires 1/8 in (3 mm) 앫 Winter tires 1/6 in (4 mm)
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor safety laws consider a tire to be worn when the tread wear indicators (TWI) become visible at approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), we rec- ommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth approaches 1/8 in (3 mm), the adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply re- duced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
1 TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across the tread.
Operation Tires and wheels
Storing tires
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with oil, grease and gasoline.
Cleaning tires
Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The intense jet of water can result in damage to the tire. Always replace a damaged tire.
313
Operation Tires and wheels
Direction of rotation
Loading the vehicle
앫 The Certification label, also found on
Unidirectional tires offer added advan- tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor- mance. To benefit, however, you must make sure the tires rotate in the direction specified. An arrow on the sidewall indicates the intended direction of rotation (spinning) of the tire.
Spare wheels may be mounted against the direction of rotation (spinning) even with a unidirectional tire for temporary use only until the regular drive wheel has been repaired or replaced. Always observe and follow applicable tempo- rary use restrictions and speed limita- tions indicated on the spare wheel.
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry. 앫 The Tire and Loading Information
placard (Example A) or the Vehicle Tire Information placard (Example B) can be found on the driver's door B-pillar. This placard tells you important information about the number of people that can be in the vehicle and the total weight that can be carried in the vehicle. It also contains information on the proper size and recommended tire inflation pressures for the original equipment tires on your vehicle.
the driver’s door B-pillar tells you about the gross weight capacity of your vehi- cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. The Certification label also tells you about the front and rear axle weight capacity, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The GAWR is the total allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). Never exceed the GVWR or GAWR for either the front axle or rear axle.
314
1 Driver’s door B-pillar Following is a discussion on how to work with the information contained on the two placards with regards to loading your vehi- cle.
Tire and Loading Information
Placard (Example A)
Operation Tires and wheels
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit or vehicle capacity weight as indicated on the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.
Your vehicle is equipped with either the Tire and Loading Information placard (Example A) or the Vehicle Tire Information placard (Example B).
Data shown on placard examples is for illustration purposes only. Load limit data is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in the illustra- tions below. Refer to placard on vehicle for actual data specific to your vehicle.
1 Load limit information on the Tire and
Loading Information placard
The placard showing the load limit informa- tion is located on the driver's door B-pillar. If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire and Loading Information placard (Example A), locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kilograms or XXX lbs.” on this placard. The combined weight of all occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue load (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced in that statement.
315
Operation Tires and wheels
Placard (Example B)
1 Load limit information on the Vehicle
Tire Information placard
The placard showing the load limit informa- tion is located on the driver’s door B-pillar. If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle Tire Information placard (Example B), locate the heading “Vehicle Capacity Weight” on this placard. The combined weight of all occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue (if applicable) should never exceed the weight listed next to vehicle capacity weight.
316
Seating capacity The seating capacity gives you important information on the number of occupants that can be in the vehicle. Observe front and rear seating capacity. Your vehicle is equipped with either placard Example A or placard Example B located on the driver's door B-pillar (컄 page 315).
Data shown on placard examples is for illustration purposes only. Seating data is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in the illustrations below. Refer to placard on vehicle for actual data specific to your vehicle.
Placard (Example A) 1 Seating capacity
Placard (Example B) 1 Seating capacity
Steps for determining correct load limit The following steps have been developed as required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”. Step 1 (Vehicles equipped with placard Example A) 왘 Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
Step 1 (Vehicles equipped with placard Example B) 왘 Locate the heading “Vehicle Capacity
Weight” on your vehicle’s placard.
Step 2
왘 Determine the combined weight of thedriver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
Step 3
왘 Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilo- grams or XXX lbs.Step 4
왘 The resulting figure equals the avail-able amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 x150) = 650 lbs.)
Step 5
왘 Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
Operation Tires and wheels
Step 6 (if applicable) 왘 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle (컄 page 319).
The following table shows examples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with varying seating configura- tions and number and size of occupants. The following examples use a load limit of 1500 lbs. This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you are using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on the vehicle’s placard (컄 page 315).
317
Operation Tires and wheels
Example Combined
weight limit of occu- pants and cargo from placard 1500 lbs
1500 lbs
1500 lbs
Number of occupants (driver and passengers)
Seating configura- tion
Occupants weight
Combined weight of all occupants
Available cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (total load limit or vehicle capacity weight from plac- ard minus combined weight of all occupants)
front: 2
rear: 3
front: 1
rear: 2front:1
Occupant 1: 150 lbs Occupant 2: 180 lbs Occupant 3: 160 lbs Occupant 4: 140 lbs Occupant 5: 120 lbs Occupant 1: 200 lbs Occupant 2: 190 lbs Occupant 3: 150 lbs Occupant 1: 150 lbs
750 lbs
1500 lbs - 750 lbs = 750 lbs
540 lbs
1500 lbs - 540 lbs = 960 lbs
150 lbs
1500 lbs - 150 lbs = 1350 lbs
The higher the weight of all occupants, the less cargo and luggage load capacity is available. For more information, see “Trailer tongue load” (컄 page 319).
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Operation Tires and wheels
Certification label Even after careful determination of the combined weight of all occupants, cargo and the trailer tongue load (if applicable) (컄 page 319) as to not exceed the permis- sible load limit, you must make sure that your vehicle never exceeds the Gross Vehi- cle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle. You can obtain the GVWR and GAWR from the Certification la- bel. The Certification Label can be found on the driver’s door B-pillar, see “Technical data” (컄 page 448).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo, and the trailer tongue load (컄 page 319) must never exceed the GVWR. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The to- tal allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). To assure that your vehicle does not ex- ceed the maximum permissible weight limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear axle), have the loaded vehicle (including driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap- plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a suitable commercial scale.
Trailer tongue load The tongue load of any trailer is an impor- tant weight to measure because it affects the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a trailer is towed, the tongue load must be added to the weight of all occupants riding and any cargo you are carrying in the vehicle. The tongue load typically is ten percent of the trailer weight and every- thing loaded in it. Your Mercedes-Benz has been designed primarily to carry passengers and their cargo. Mercedes-Benz does not recom- mend trailer towing with your vehicle.
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Operation Tires and wheels
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being over- heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Your vehicle is equipped with either the Tire and Loading Information placard (Example A) or the Vehicle Tire Information placard (Example B) located on the driver's door B-pillar (컄 page 315).
The tire inflation pressure should be checked regularly and should only be ad- justed on cold tires. The tires can be con- sidered cold if the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven less than one mile (1.6 km). Follow recommended cold tire inflation pressures listed on placard. Keeping the tires properly inflated provides the best handling, tread life and riding comfort. In addition to the tire placard on the driver’s door B-pillar, also consult the fuel filler flap for any additional information pertaining to special driving situations. For more information, see “Important notes on tire inflation pressure” (컄 page 321).
Data shown on placard examples is for illustration purposes only. Tire data is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in the illustrations below. Refer to placard on vehicle for actual data specific to your vehicle.
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Placard (Example A)
1 Tire and Loading Information placard with recommended cold tire inflation pressures
Placard (Example A) lists the recommend- ed cold tire inflation pressures for maxi- mum loaded vehicle weight. The tire inflation pressures listed apply to the tires installed as original equipment.
Placard (Example B)
Important notes on tire inflation pressure
Warning!
If the tire inflation pressure repeatedly drops: 앫 Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.
앫 Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
Tire temperature and tire inflation pressure are also increased while driving, depending on the driving speed and the tire load. If you will be driving your vehicle at high speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, where it is legal and conditions allow, consult the placard on the inside of the fuel filler flap on how to adjust the cold tire in- flation pressure. If you do not adjust the tire inflation pressure, excessive heat can build up and result in sudden tire failure.
1 Vehicle Tire Information placard with
recommended cold tire inflation pressures
Placard (Example B) lists the recommend- ed cold tire inflation pressures for maxi- mum loaded vehicle weight. The tire inflation pressures listed apply to the tires installed as original equipment.
Placard (Example B) may list recommended cold tire inflation pressures for different vehicle loads.
Operation Tires and wheels
Be sure to readjust the tire inflation pressure for normal driving speeds. You should wait until the tires are cold before adjusting the tire inflation pressure. Some vehicles may have supplemental tire pressure information for vehicle loads less than the maximum loaded vehicle condi- tion. If such information is provided, it can be found on the placard located on the in- side of the fuel filler flap. Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi- mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire inflation pressure where the temperature is different from the outside temperature.
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Operation Tires and wheels
Checking tire inflation pressure
왘 Firmly press a tire gauge onto the
valve.
왘 Read tire inflation pressure on tire gauge and check against the recom- mended tire inflation pressure on the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar (컄 page 315). If necessary, add air to achieve the recommended tire inflation pressure.
If you have overfilled the tire, release tire inflation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.
왘 Install the valve cap. 왘 Repeat this procedure for each tire.
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure at least once a month. Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure when the tires are cold. The tires can be considered cold if the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven less than one mile (1.6 km). If you check the tire inflation pressure when the tires are warm (the vehicle has been driven for several miles or sitting less than three hours), the reading will be approximately 4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than the cold reading. This is normal. Do not let air out to match the specified cold tire in- flation pressure. Otherwise, the tire will be underinflated.
Checking tire inflation pressure manually Follow the steps below to achieve correct tire inflation pressure: 왘 Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire.
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Checking tire inflation pressure elec- tronically* The tire pressure monitoring system only functions on wheels that are equipped with the proper electronic sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pressure, as selected by the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is- sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure in one or more of the tires. You can call up the tire inflation pressure using the control system (컄 page 150).
After you have reactivated the tire pressure monitoring system, the cur- rent tire inflation pressures will only be shown after a few minutes’ driving time. During this time, you will see the follow- ing message in the display: Tire pressure displayed only after driving a few mins.
i Possible differences between the read- ings of a tire inflation pressure gauge of an air hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and the vehicle’s control system can occur. The readings issued by the con- trol system are more precise.
왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 33). 왘 Press button è or ÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly until the standard display menu ap- pears in the multifunction display (컄 page 150).
왘 Press the j or k button until the current inflation pressures for each tire appear in the multifunction display.
Operation Tires and wheels
Warning!
Warning!
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as possi- ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information placard. Driving on a significantly under-in- flated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. Each tire, including the spare, should be checked monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation pressure as specified in the vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
The recommended tire inflation pres- sures for your vehicle can be found on the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or the inside of the fuel filler flap, not in the owner’s manual.
The tire pressure monitoring system does not indicate a warning for wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always adjust tire infla- tion pressure according to the placard locat- ed on the driver’s door B-pillar or the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The tire pressure monitoring system is not able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra- matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In this case bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully apply- ing the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering maneuvers.
Operating radio transmission equip- ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or near the vehicle could cause the tire pressure monitoring sys- tem to malfunction.
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Operation Tires and wheels
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pres- sures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be- cause they are more likely to become punc- tured or damaged by road debris, potholes, etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat- ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s door opening). Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
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Reactivating the tire pressure monitor- ing system The tire pressure monitoring system must be reactivated in the following situations: 앫 If you have changed the tire inflation
pressure
앫 If you have replaced the wheels or tires 앫 If you have installed new wheels or
tires
왘 Using the tire placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the inside of the fuel filler flap, make sure the tire inflation pressure of all four tires is cor- rect.
왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until you see the current inflation pres- sures for each tire appear in the multi- function display or the following message appears in the multifunction display: Tire pressure displayed only after driving a few mins.
If you are transporting a deflated tire in the vehicle, do not activate the tire pressure monitoring system until 앫 the deflated tire is no longer in the
vehicle
앫 you have inflated the tire to the cor-
rect pressure
왘 Press the reset button on the instru-
ment cluster (컄 page 24). The following message will appear in the multifunction display: Check current tire pres.?
왘 Press the æ button.
The following message will appear in the multifunction display field: Tire pres. monitor reactivated The tire pressure monitoring system will now monitor the tire inflation pres- sure values of all four tires. The following message will appear in the multifunction display field: Tire pressure displayed only after driving a few mins.
This display appears until the individual inflation pressure values are matched with the tires. The individual values are then displayed (컄 page 396).
If you wish to cancel activation: 왘 Press the ç button. If one of the following messages appears in the multifunction display: 앫 reactivate tire pressure monitor after rectifying pressure
앫 Tire pressure Please rectify
왘 Check the tire inflation pressures and
correct them if necessary.
왘 Reactivate the tire pressure monitoring
system.
Operation Tires and wheels
After you have reactivated the tire pressure monitoring system, the cur- rent tire inflation pressure values will only be shown after several minutes of driving. During this time, the following message appears in the display: Tire pressure displayed only after driving a few mins.
The time before the tire inflation pres- sures are shown depends on whether or not 앫 you have mounted new tires 앫 the old tires are still on the vehicle If you have mounted new tires, it will take slightly longer before the tire infla- tion pressures are shown in the display.
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Operation Tires and wheels
If the positions of the wheels have not been changed on the vehicle, the tire inflation pressures are shown correctly after a short period. If the positions of the wheels have been switched, howev- er, it is possible that the tire inflation pressures are temporarily shown for the wrong wheel positions. They are corrected after a few minutes of driv- ing, and the tire inflation pressures are shown for the correct wheel positions.
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Potential problems associated with underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tire inflation pressure Underinflated tires can: 앫 cause excessive and uneven tire wear 앫 adversely affect fuel economy 앫 lead to tire failure from being
overheated
앫 adversely affect handling
characteristics
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.
Overinflated tire inflation pressure Overinflated tires can: 앫 adversely affect handling
characteristics
앫 cause uneven tire wear 앫 be more prone to damage from road
hazards
앫 adversely affect ride comfort 앫 increase stopping distance
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Tire labeling
Besides tire name (sales designation) and manufacturer name, a number of markings can be found on a tire. Following are some explanations for the markings on your vehicle's tires:
Operation Tires and wheels
1 Uniform Quality Grading Standards
(컄 page 334)
Tire size designation, load and speed rating
2 DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
(컄 page 332)
3 Maximum tire load (컄 page 333) 4 Maximum tire inflation pressure
(컄 page 334) 5 Manufacturer 6 Tire ply material (컄 page 336) 7 Tire size designation, load and speed
rating (컄 page 327)
8 Load identification (컄 page 331) 9 Tire name
For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration. For more information, see “Rims and tires” (컄 page 453).
1 Tire width 2 Aspect ratio in % 3 Radial tire code 4 Rim diameter 5 Tire load rating 6 Tire speed rating
For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.
327
Operation Tires and wheels
General: Depending on the design standards used, the tire size molded into the sidewall may have no letter or a letter preceding the tire size designation. No letter preceding the size designation (as illustrated above): Passenger car tire based on European design standards. Letter “P” preceding the size designation: Passenger car tire based on U.S. design standards. Letter “LT” preceding the size designation: Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards. Letter “T” preceding the size designation: Temporary spare tires which are high pressure compact spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
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Rim diameter The rim diameter 4 (컄 page 327) is the diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating The tire load rating 5 (컄 page 327) is a numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can support. For example, a load rating of 91 corre- sponds to a maximum load of 1356 lbs (615 kg) the tire is designed to support. See also “Maximum tire load” (컄 page 333) where the maximum load as- sociated with the load index is indicated in kilograms and lbs.
Tire width The tire width 1 (컄 page 327) indicates the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio The aspect ratio 2 (컄 page 327) is the dimensional relationship between tire section height and section width and is expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio is arrived at by dividing section height by section width.
Tire code The tire code 3 (컄 page 327) indicates the tire construction type. The “R” stands for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag- onal or bias ply construction; letter “B” means belted-bias ply construction. At the tire manufacturer's option, any tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18). For additional information, see “Tire speed rating” (컄 page 329).
For additional information on tire load rating, see “Load identification” (컄 page 331).
Tire load rating 5 (컄 page 327) and Tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 327) are also referred to as “service descrip- tion”.
Warning
The tire load rating must always be at least half of the GAWR (컄 page 337) of your vehi- cle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the result which may cause an accident and/or seri- ous personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same designation, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit or vehicle capacity weight as indicated on the placard located on the driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.
Operation Tires and wheels
Tire speed rating The tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 327) indicates the approved maximum speed for the tire.
Warning!
Even when permitted by law, never operate a vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are rated can lead to sudden tire failure, causing loss of vehicle control and possibly resulting in an accident and/or personal injury and possible death, for you and for others.
Tire load rating 5 (컄 page 327) and Tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 327) are also referred to as “service descrip- tion”.
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Operation Tires and wheels
Summer tires
Index (Y) ZR
Speed rating up to 100 mph (160 km/h) up to 106 mph (170 km/h) up to 112 mph (180 km/h) up to 118 mph (190 km/h) up to 130 mph (210 km/h) up to 149 mph (240 km/h) up to 168 mph (270 km/h) up to 186 mph (300 km/h) above 186 mph (300 km/h) above 149 mph (240 km/h)
앫 At the tire manufacturer's option, any
tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size designation (for exam- ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the maximum speed capability of the tire, the service description for the tire must be referred to. The service description
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앫 Any tire with a speed capability above 186 mph (300 km/h) must include a “ZR” in the size designation AND the service description must be placed in parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren- thesis designates the maximum speed capability of the tire as being above 186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire manufacturer for the actual maximum permissible speed of the tire.
is comprised of the tire load rating 5 (컄 page 327) and the tire speed rating 6 (컄 page 327). If your tire includes “ZR” in the size designation and no service description 5 and 6 (컄 page 327) is given, the tire manufacturer must be consulted for the maximum speed ca- pability. If a service description 5 and 6 (컄 page 327) is given, the speed capa- bility is limited by the speed symbol in the service description. Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y. In this example, “97Y” is the service description. The letter “Y” designates the speed rating and the speed capabil- ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph (300 km/h).
All-season and winter tires
Load identification
Index Q M+S T M+S H M+S V M+S
Speed rating up to 100 mph (160 km/h) up to 118 mph (190 km/h) up to 130 mph (210 km/h) up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
The marking “M+S” next to the service description designates tires with mud and snow capabilities.
1 Load identification
For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.
Operation Tires and wheels
In addition to tire load rating, special load information may be molded into the tire sidewall following the letter designating the tire speed rating 1 (컄 page 331). No specification given: absence of any text (like in above example) indicates a standard load (SL) tire. XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load (or reinforced) tire. Light Load: designates a light load tire. C, D, E: designates load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure.
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Operation Tires and wheels
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations require each new tire manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a TIN into or onto a sidewall of each tire produced. The TIN is a unique identifier which facili- tates efforts by tire manufactures to notify purchasers in recall situations or other safety matters concerning tires and gives purchasers the means to easily identify such tires. The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identification mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code” and “Date of manufacture”.
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DOT (Department of Transportation) A tire branding symbol 1 (컄 page 332) which denotes the tire meets require- ments of the U.S. Department of Transpor- tation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark The manufacturer’s identification mark 2 (컄 page 332) denotes the tire manufacturer. New tires have a mark with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym- bols. For more information on retreaded tires, see (컄 page 311).
Tire size The code 3 (컄 page 332) indicates the tire size.
1 DOT 2 Manufacturer’s identification mark 3 Tire size 4 Tire type code (at the option of the tire
manufacturer)
5 Date of manufacture
For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.
Tire type code The code 4 (컄 page 332) may, at the option of the manufacturer, be used as a descriptive code for identifying significant characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture The date of manufacture 5 (컄 page 332) identifies the week and year of manufac- ture. The first two figures identify the week, starting with “01” to represent the first full week of the calendar year. The second two figures represent the year. For example, “3202” represents the 32nd week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1 Maximum tire load rating
For illustration purposes only. Actual data on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in above illustration.
The maximum tire load is the maximum weight the tires are designed to support.
Operation Tires and wheels
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit or vehicle capacity weight as indicated on the placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.
For more information on tire load rating (컄 page 328) For information on calculating total and cargo load capacities (컄 page 317).
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Operation
