2007 Mercedes-benz E Class Wagon Owners Manual

the Roadside Assistance button •. 왘 Press and hold the button (for longer

than 2 seconds). A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As- sistance dispatcher will be initiated. The button will flash while the call is in progress. The message Connecting call will appear in the multifunction display and the audio system is muted.

When the connection is established, the message Call connected appears in the multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the vehicle identification number, model, color and lo- cation (subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).

A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be established. 왘 Describe the nature of the need for

assistance.

The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/or towing, charges may ap- ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance man- ual for more information. The following is only available in the USA: 앫 Sign and Drive services: Services such as a jump start, a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable.

i The indicator lamp on the Roadside Assis- tance button • remains illuminated in red for approximately 10 seconds during the system self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth- er with the SOS button and the Information button ¡). See system self-check (컄 page 293) when the indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays on longer than approximately 10 seconds. If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance button • is flashing continuously and there was no voice connection to the Response Center established, then the Tele Aid system could not initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele- vant cellular phone network is not available). The message Call failed appears in the multi- function display.

Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us- ing button t on the multifunction steering wheel or the respective button for ending a tele- phone call on the COMAND headunit.

Information button ¡ The Information button ¡ is located be- low the center armrest cover. 왘 Press and hold button (for longer than

2 seconds). A call to the Customer Assistance Cen- ter will be initiated. The button will flash while the call is in progress. The message Connecting call will appear in the multifunction display and the audio system is muted.

When the connection is established, the message Call connected appears in the multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the vehicle identification number, model, color and lo- cation (subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).

Controls in detail Useful features

A voice connection between the Customer Assistance Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle will be estab- lished. Information regarding the operation of your vehicle, the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is available to you. For more details concerning the Tele Aid system, please visit www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password (sent to you sep- arately) to learn more (USA only).

i The indicator lamp on the Information button ¡ remains illuminated in red for ap- proximately 10 seconds during the system self-check after switching on the ignition (togeth- er with the SOS button and the Roadside Assis- tance button •).

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i When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the COMAND system audio is muted and the select- ed mode (radio or CD) pauses. The optional cel- lular phone (if installed) switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle must be parked. Dis- connect the coiled cord and place the call. The COMAND navigation* system (if engaged) will continue to run. The multifunction display in the instrument cluster is available for use, and spo- ken commands are only available by pressing the RPT button on the COMAND unit. A pop-up win- dow will appear in the COMAND display to indi- cate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.

Controls in detail Useful features

See system self-check (컄 page 293) when the indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays on longer than approximately 10 seconds. If the indicator lamp on the Information button ¡ is flashing continuously and there was no voice connection to the Response Center established, then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant cel- lular phone network is not available). The mes- sage Call failed appears in the multifunction display. Information calls can be terminated using button t on the multifunction steering wheel or the respective button for ending a telephone call on the COMAND headunit. ! If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after pressing one of the buttons or remain illu- minated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a malfunction or the service is not currently active, and may not initiate a call. Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center and have the system checked or contact the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as possi- ble.

Call priority If other service calls such as a Roadside Assistance call or Information call are active, an Emergency call is still possible. In this case, the Emergency call will take priority and override all other ac- tive calls.

i The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until the call is concluded. Calls can only be terminated by a Response Center or Custom- er Assistance Center representative except Roadside Assistance and Information calls, which can also be terminated by pressing button t on the multifunction steering wheel or the respective button for ending a telephone call on the COMAND headunit.

! If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system does not reset, contact the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer Ser- vice at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.

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i The remote door unlock feature is available if the relevant cellular phone network is avail- able. The SOS button will flash and the message Call connected will appear in the multifunc- tion display to indicate receipt of the door unlock command. Once the vehicle is unlocked, a Response Center specialist will attempt to establish voice contact with the vehicle occupants. If the tailgate recessed handle was pulled for more than 20 seconds before door unlock autho- rization was received by the Response Center, you must wait 15 minutes before pulling the tail- gate recessed handle again.

Remote door unlock In case you have locked your vehicle unin- tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle), and the reserve SmartKey is not handy: 왘 Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada). You will be asked to provide your pass- word which you provided when you completed the subscriber agreement. 왘 Then return to your vehicle and pull the tailgate recessed handle for a minimum of 20 seconds until the SOS button is flashing. The message Call connected appears in the multifunction display.

As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi- cle via Internet using the ID and password sent to you shortly after the completion of your acquaintance call. The Response Center will then unlock your vehicle with the remote door unlocking feature.

Controls in detail Useful features

Stolen Vehicle Recovery services In the event your vehicle was stolen: 왘 Report the incident to the police.

The police will issue a numbered inci- dent report.

왘 Pass this number on to the

Mercedes-Benz Response Center along with your password issued to you when you subscribed to the service. The Response Center will then attempt to covertly contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is lo- cated, the Response Center will con- tact the local law enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will only be pro- vided to law enforcement.

i When the anti-theft alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds, a call is initiated automatically to the Response Center. See anti-theft alarm system (컄 page 106).

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Controls in detail Useful features

Garage door opener

The integrated remote control is capable of operating up to three separately controlled devices. It provides a convenient way to re- place up to three hand-held remote con- trols used to operate devices such as garage door openers, gate openers, or oth- er devices compatible with HomeLink® or some other systems. Before the integrated remote control can be used, it must be programmed to the ga- rage door opener, gate operator or other device you wish to operate. See the follow- ing instructions for programming informa- tion.

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Warning!

Before programming the integrated remote control to a garage door opener or gate operator, make sure people and objects are out of the way of the device to prevent po- tential harm or damage. When programming a garage door opener, the door moves up or down. When programming a gate operator, the gate opens or closes.

Do not use the integrated remote control with any garage door opener that lacks safety stop and reverse features as required by U.S. federal safety standards (this includes any garage door opener model manufactured before April 1, 1982). A garage door that cannot detect an object - signaling the door to stop and reverse - does not meet current U.S. federal safety standards.

Indicator lamp

Interior rear view mirror with integrated re- mote control 2 3 4 Signal transmitter button Needed for programming (not part of vehi- cle equipment):

Hand-held remote control of ga- rage door opener, gate operator or other device Hand-held remote control but- ton

When programming a garage door opener, park vehicle outside the garage.

Do not run the engine while programming the integrated remote control. Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and possible death.

Programming the integrated remote control Step 1: 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 37).

Controls in detail Useful features

Step 2: 왘 If you have previously programmed a signal transmitter button and wish to retain its programming, proceed to step 3. If you are programming the integrated remote control for the first time, press and hold the two outer signal transmit- ter buttons 2 and 4 and release them only when the indicator lamp 1 begins to flash after approximately 20 seconds (do not hold the button for longer than 30 seconds). This proce- dure erases any previous settings for all three channels and initializes the memory. If you later wish to program a second and/or third hand-held transmitter to the remaining two signal transmitter buttons, do not repeat this step and be- gin directly with step 3.

Step 3: 왘 Hold the end of hand-held remote

control 5 of the device you wish to train approximately 2 to 5 in (5 to12 cm) away from the signal trans- mitter button (2, 3 or 4) to be pro- grammed, while keeping the indicator lamp 1 in view.

Step 4: 왘 Using both hands, simultaneously

press hand-held remote control button 6 and the desired signal trans- mitter button (2, 3 or 4). Do not release the buttons until step 5 is com- pleted. Indicator lamp 1 will flash, first slowly and then rapidly.

i The indicator lamp 1 flashes immediately the first time the signal transmitter button is pro- grammed. If this button has already been pro- grammed, the indicator lamp will only start flashing after 20 seconds.

컄컄

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Controls in detail Useful features

컄컄

Step 5: 왘 After indicator lamp 1 changes from a slow to a rapidly flashing light, release the hand-held remote control button and the signal transmitter button.

Step 6: 왘 Press and hold the just-trained signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4) and observe the indicator lamp 1. If indicator lamp 1 stays on constantly, programming is complete and your device should activate when the respective signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4) is pressed and re- leased.

i If indicator lamp 1 flashes rapidly for about 2 seconds and then turns to a constant light, continue with programming steps 8 through 12 as your garage door opener may be equipped with the “rolling code” feature.

Step 7: 왘 To program the remaining two signal transmitter buttons, repeat the steps above starting with step 3.

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Rolling code programming To train a garage door opener (or other rolling code devices) with the rolling code feature, follow these instructions after completing the “Programming” portion (steps 1 through 6) of this text. (A second person may make the following training procedures quicker and easier.) Step 8: 왘 Locate “training” button on the garage

door opener motor head unit. Exact location and color of the button may vary by garage door opener brand. Depending on manufacturer, the “training” button may also be referred to as “learn”or “smart” button. If there is difficulty locating the transmitting button, refer to the garage door opener Operator’s Manual.

Step 9: 왘 Press the “training” button on the ga-

rage door opener motor head unit. The “training light” is activated.

You have 30 seconds to initiate the follow- ing two steps. Step 10: 왘 Return to the vehicle and firmly press, hold for 2 seconds and release the pro- grammed signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4).

Step 11: 왘 Press, hold for 2 seconds and release same signal transmitter button a sec- ond time to complete the training pro- cess.

i Some garage door openers (or other rolling code equipped devices) may require you to press, hold for 2 seconds and release the same signal transmitter button a third time to com- plete the training process.

Step 4: 왘 Press and hold the signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4). Do not release this button until it has been successful- ly trained.

왘 While still holding down the signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4), “cycle” your hand-held remote control button 6 as follows: Press and hold button 6 for 2 seconds, then release it for 2 seconds, and again press and hold it for 2 seconds. Repeat this se- quence on the hand-held remote con- trol until the frequency signal has been learned. Upon successful training, indi- cator lamp 1 will flash slowly and then rapidly after several seconds.

왘 Proceed with programming step 5 and

step 6 to complete.

Step 12: 왘 Confirm the garage door operation by pressing the programmed signal trans- mitter button (2, 3 or 4).

Step 13: 왘 To program the remaining two signal transmitter buttons, repeat the steps above starting with step 3.

Gate operator/Canadian programming Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit) after several seconds of transmission which may not be long enough for the integrated signal transmitter to pick up the signal during programming. Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are designed to “time-out” in the same manner. If you live in Canada or if you are having difficulties programming a gate operator (regardless of where you live) by using the programming procedures, replace step 4 with the following:

Controls in detail Useful features

i Upon completion of programming the inte- grated remote control, make sure you retain the hand-held remote control that came with the ga- rage door opener, gate operator or other device. You may need it for use in other vehicles, for fu- ture programming of an integrated remote con- trol, or simply for continued use as a hand-held remote control to operate the respective device in other situations.

Reprogramming a single signal trans- mitter button To program a device using a signal trans- mitter button previously trained, follow these steps: 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 37). 왘 Press and hold the desired signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4). Do not release the button.

왘 Indicator lamp 1 will begin to flash af- ter 20 seconds. Without releasing the signal transmitter button, proceed with programming starting with step 3.

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Controls in detail Useful features

Operation of integrated remote control 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 37). 왘 Select and press the appropriate inte- grated signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4) to activate the remote con- trolled device. The integrated remote control trans- mitter continues to send the signal as long as the button is pressed – up to 20 seconds.

Erasing the integrated remote control memory 왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 37). 왘 Simultaneously press and hold outer signal transmitter buttons 2 and 4, for approximately 20 seconds, until indicator lamp 1 flashes rapidly. Do not hold for longer than 30 seconds. The codes of all three channels are erased.

i If you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all three channels.

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Programming tips If you are having difficulty programming the integrated remote control, here are some helpful tips: 앫 Check the frequency of hand-held re- mote control 5 (typically located on the reverse side of the remote). The in- tegrated remote control is compatible with radio-frequency devices operating between 280-390 MHz.

앫 Put a new battery in hand-held remote control 5. This will increase the likeli- hood of the hand-held remote control sending a faster and more accurate sig- nal to the integrated remote control.

앫 While performing step 3, hold

hand-held remote control 5 at differ- ent lengths and angles from the signal transmitter button (2, 3 or 4) you are programming. Attempt varying an- gles at the distance of 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12 cm) away or the same angle at varying distances.

앫 If another hand-held remote control is available for the same device, try the programming steps again using that other hand-held remote control. Make sure new batteries are in the hand-held remote control before beginning the procedure.

앫 Straighten the antenna wire from the

garage door opener assembly. This may help improve transmitting and/or receiving signals.

i Certain types of garage door openers are in- compatible with the integrated remote control. If you should experience further difficulties with programming the integrated remote control, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or call Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen- ter (in the USA only) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

i USA only: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-

ence, and

(2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

i Canada only: This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference re-

ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Controls in detail Useful features

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Operation

The first 1000 miles (1500 km) Driving instructions At the gas station Engine compartment Tires and wheels Winter driving Maintenance Vehicle care

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Operation The first 1000 miles (1500 km)

In the “Operation” section you will find de- tailed information on operating, maintain- ing and caring for your vehicle.

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After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may gradually increase vehicle and engine speeds to the permissible maximum.

! Additional instructions for AMG vehicles: 앫 During the first 1000 miles (1500 km), do not exceed a speed of 85 mph (140 km/h).

앫 During this period, avoid engine speeds

above 4500 rpm in each gear.

All of the above instructions, as may apply to your vehicle type, also apply when driv- ing the first 1000 miles (1500 km) after the engine or the rear differential has been replaced.

i Always obey applicable speed limits.

The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the break-in period, the more satis- fied you will be with its performance later on. 앫 Drive your vehicle during the first

1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but moderate vehicle and engine speeds. 앫 During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and excessive en- gine speeds (no more than 2/3 of maximum rpm in each gear).

앫 Avoid accelerating by kickdown. 앫 Do not attempt to slow the vehicle

down by shifting to a lower gear using the gear selector lever.

앫 Select positions 3, 2 or 1 only when driving at moderate speeds (for hill driving).

앫 Select C as the preferred shift program (컄 page 193) for the first 1000 miles (1500 km).

Operation Driving instructions

Drinking and driving

Pedals

Warning!

Warning!

Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob- structing the pedals’ range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta- cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure that the pedals still have sufficient clearance.

Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combina- tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions and judgment.

The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac- cident are greatly increased when you drink or take drugs and drive.

Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow anyone to drive who has been drinking or taking drugs.

왔 Driving instructions Drive sensibly – save fuel

Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de- pends on driving habits and operating con- ditions. To save fuel you should: 앫 Keep tires at the recommended infla-

tion pressures.

앫 Remove unnecessary loads. 앫 Remove roof rack when not in use. 앫 Allow engine to warm up under low

load use.

앫 Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-

eration.

앫 Have all maintenance work performed

at the intervals specified in the Maintenance Booklet and as required by the Maintenance System. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in hilly area.

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Operation Driving instructions

Power assistance

Brakes

Warning!

Warning!

With the engine not running, there is no power assistance for the brake and steering systems. In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve- hicle.

After driving in heavy rain for some time without applying the brakes or through wa- ter deep enough to wet brake components, the first braking action may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to obtain expected braking ef- fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front.

Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.

It can also result in the brakes overheating, thereby significantly reducing their effec- tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci- dent.

! Vehicles without 4MATIC: Because the ESP® operates automatically, the engine and the ignition must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* in position 0 or 1) when: 앫 the parking brake is being tested on a brake

test dynamometer

앫 the vehicle is being towed with the front axle

raised

Active braking action through the ESP® may oth- erwise seriously damage the brake system. For information on vehicles with 4MATIC, see “Four wheel electronic traction system (4MATIC) with the ESP®” (컄 page 104). To help prevent brake disk corrosion after driving on wet road surfaces (particularly salted roads), it is advisable to brake the vehicle with considerable force prior to parking. The heat generated serves to dry the brakes. If your brake system is normally only sub- jected to moderate loads, you should occa- sionally test the effectiveness of the

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brakes by applying above-normal braking pressure at higher speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the brake pads.

Warning!

Make sure not to endanger any other road users when carrying out these braking ma- neuvers.

Refer to the description of the Brake Assist System (BAS) (컄 page 99).

Operation Driving instructions

Warning!

If other than recommended brake pads are installed, or other than recommended brake fluid is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe braking is substantially impaired. This could result in an accident.

! When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.

After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some time, rather than immediately park, so that the air stream will cool down the brakes faster.

Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the reason for low brake fluid level in the reservoir. The brake fluid level in the reservoir may be too low if the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster comes on and an acoustic warning sounds although the parking brake is released (컄 page 381). Observe additional messages in the multi- function display that may appear (컄 page 411). Have the brake system inspected immediately. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. All checks and service work on the brake system should be carried out by qualified technicians only. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Only install brake pads and brake fluid recommended by Mercedes-Benz.

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Operation Driving instructions

High-performance brake system (E 63 AMG only) The high-performance brake system is de- signed to operate under the extremely high operating demands required to accommo- date the performance capabilities of the vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak- ing-type noise depending on the 앫 vehicle speed 앫 brake force applied 앫 ambient conditions, e.g. temperature

and humidity

As with any brake system, the wear of indi- vidual brake system components such as brake pads or disks strongly depends on your driving style and the conditions under which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv- ing style calling for high demand braking will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear more quickly.

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Warning!

Driving off

New vehicle brake pads and discs, and replacement brake pads and discs may take several hundred miles of driving until they provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that time, you may need to use increased brake pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware of this and adjust your driving and braking accordingly during this break-in period.

Excessive high demand braking will cause correspondingly high brake wear. Please be attentive to the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster and brake condition mes- sages in the multifunction display. Especial- ly for high performance driving, it is important to maintain and have the brake system checked regularly.

Apply the brakes to test them briefly after driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road is clear of other traffic. Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the oper- ating temperature has been reached.

! When driving off on a slippery surface, do not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP® switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear.

Parking

Warning!

Do not park this vehicle in areas where com- bustible 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.

To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to the vehicle drivetrain, as a result of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle always: 앫 Keep right foot on brake pedal. 앫 Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

앫 Move the gear selector lever to

position P.

앫 Slowly release brake pedal. 앫 When parked on an incline, turn front

wheel towards the road curb.

앫 Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0 and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, or press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (vehi- cles with KEYLESS-GO*).

앫 Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle when leaving.

Operation Driving instructions

Tires

Warning!

If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi- ble damage to your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the hazard warning flash- ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau- tion to an area which is a safe distance from the road.

Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer for repairs.

Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These indicators are located in six places on the tread circumference and be- come visible at a tread depth of approxi- mately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire is considered worn and should be re- placed.

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Operation Driving instructions

The treadwear indicator appears as a solid band across the tread.

Warning!

Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You could lose control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

For more information, see “Tires and wheels” (컄 page 332).

Hydroplaning

Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.

Warning!

Although the applicable federal motor vehi- cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be- come visible at approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al- low 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 reduced.

Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions), the tire traction varies widely.

Specified tire inflation pressures must be maintained. This applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temper- atures).

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Tire traction

The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is always lower than on a dry road. You should pay particular attention to the condition of the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to the freezing point.

Warning!

If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be substantially reduced. Under such weather conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme caution.

Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires (컄 page 363) with a minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the winter season to make sure normal balanced handling characteristics. On packed snow, they can reduce your stopping distance compared to summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap- propriate caution.

! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Operation Driving instructions

Tire speed rating

Regardless of the tire speed rating, local speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru- dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail- ing conditions.

An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from exceeding a speed of: 앫 All models except E 63 AMG:

130 mph (210 km/h)

앫 E 63 AMG:

155 mph (250 km/h)

Warning!

앫 E 63 AMG with increased top speed*:

186 mph (300 km/h)

Even when permitted by law, never operate a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi- mum speed rating of the tires.

Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail- ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos- sibly resulting in an accident and/or personal injury and possible death, for you and for others.

The factory equipped tires on your vehicle may have a tire speed rating above the maximum speed permitted by the elec- tronic speed limiter. Make sure your tires have the required tire speed rating as specified for your vehicle in the “Technical data” section (컄 page 480), for example when purchasing new tires. For information on how to identify the tire speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire size designation, load and speed rating” (컄 page 349).

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Operation Driving instructions

If you are uncertain about the correct read- ing of the information given on a tire’s side- wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to assist you.

i For information on speed ratings for winter tires, see “Winter driving” (컄 page 363). For additional general information on tire speed markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating” (컄 page 360).

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Winter driving instructions

The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control system under such conditions. When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move gear selector lever to position N. Try to keep the vehicle under control by cor- rective steering action.

i For more information on driving with snow chains, see “Snow chains” (컄 page 364).

Road salts and chemicals can adversely af- fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary to produce the normal braking effect. Depressing the brake pedal periodically when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking efficiency back to normal. If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien- cy should be tested as soon as possible af- ter driving is resumed.

Warning!

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi- cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre- vent this type of control loss.

Make sure not to endanger any other road users when carrying out these braking ma- neuvers.

Operation Driving instructions

Warning!

Standing water

Passenger compartment

! Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown depth. Before driving through water, determine its depth. Never accelerate before driving into water. The bow wave could force wa- ter into the engine and auxiliary equipment, thus damaging them. If you must drive through standing water, drive slowly to prevent water from entering the pas- senger compartment or the engine compart- ment. Water in these areas could cause damage to electrical components or wiring of the engine or transmission, or could result in water being in- gested by the engine through the air intake caus- ing severe internal engine damage. Any such damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle with the engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in- terior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a window slightly on the side of the ve- hicle not facing the wind.

Warning!

The outside temperature indicator is not de- signed to serve as an ice-warning device and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In- dicated temperatures just above the freez- ing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

For more information, see “Winter driving” (컄 page 363).

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 cargo compartment is the preferred place to carry objects.

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.

317

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.

318

Telephones and two-way radios

Catalytic converter

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 serious 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 vehicle 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 convert- ers, only use premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle. Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, exces- sive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic con- verter, causing it to overheat, which could potentially start a fire.

Warning!

Emission control

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 parts of the engine and the emission control system serve to keep the toxic components of the exhaust gases within permissible limits required by law. These systems will function properly only when maintained strictly according to factory specifications. Any adjustments on the engine should, therefore, be carried out only by qualified Mercedes-Benz Center authorized technicians. Engine adjustments should not be altered in any way. Moreover, the specified service procedures must be carried out regularly according to Mercedes-Benz servicing requirements. For details refer to the Maintenance Booklet.

Operation Driving instructions

Warning!

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un- consciousness 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.

319

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 overheated can cause some fluids, which may have leaked into the engine compartment, to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.

앫 Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which 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.

320

왔 At the gas station Refueling

Warning!

i In case that the central locking system does not release the fuel filler flap, or the opening mechanism is clamping, notify Roadside Assis- tance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It burns violently and can cause serious injury.

Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate- rials near gasoline!

Turn off the engine before refueling.

Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid in- haling fumes and skin or clothing contact, extinguish all smoking materials.

Direct skin contact with fuels and the inha- lation of fuel vapors can damage your health.

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.

왘 Turn the engine off

앫 by turning the SmartKey to

position 0.

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.

Operation At the gas station

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 off or over- fill.

Warning!

Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres- sure in the system which could cause a gas discharge. This could cause the gas to spray back out when removing the fuel pump noz- zle, which could cause personal injury.

컄컄

321

Operation At the gas station

컄컄

왘 Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise

Check regularly and before a long trip

until it audibly engages. 왘 Close the fuel filler flap.

i Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp to flash and the malfunction indi- cator lamp ? (USA only) or the malfunction indicator lamp ± (Canada only) to illuminate. For more information, see also “Practical hints” (컄 page 382).

i 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 (USA only) or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

322

1 Windshield washer system and head-

lamp cleaning system*

2 Brake fluid 3 Coolant level i Opening the hood, see (컄 page 324).

Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system* For information on refilling the reservoir, see “Windshield washer system and head- lamp cleaning system*” (컄 page 331).

Brake fluid

! 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 381). For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.” (컄 page 489).

Coolant For normal replenishing, use water (pota- ble water quality). For more information on coolant, see “Coolant level” (컄 page 329) and see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.” (컄 page 486).

Vehicle lighting Check function and cleanliness. For more information on replacing light bulbs, see “Replacing bulbs” (컄 page 442). For more information, see “Exterior lamp switch” (컄 page 141).

Engine oil level For more information on engine oil level, see “Engine oil” (컄 page 326).

Tire inflation pressure For more information, see “Checking tire inflation pressure” (컄 page 341).

Operation At the gas station

323

Operation 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.

This could cause the hood to come loose and injure you and/or others.

Opening

Warning!

If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine compartment, or if the coolant tem- perature indicator 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.

324

Warning!

Warning!

The engine is equipped with a transistorized ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is dangerous to touch any components (ig- nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the ignition system 앫 with the engine running 앫 while starting the engine 앫 if ignition is “on” and the engine is

turned manually

You could be injured when the hood is open – even when the engine is turned off.

Parts of the engine can become very hot. To prevent burns, let the engine cool off com- pletely before touching any components on the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety precautions.

Warning!

To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open and the engine is running.

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.

1 Release lever 왘 Pull release lever 1. The hood is unlocked.

2 Handle for opening the hood 왘 Lift the hood slightly.

Handle 2 will extend out of the radia- tor grille.

! To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are folded forward away from the windshield.

! To avoid damage to handle 2 never pull up the hood on handle 2.

Operation Engine compartment

왘 Pull handle 2 to its stop out of radia-

tor grille.

왘 Lift bottom of hood at edge of radiator

grille. The hood will be automatically held open at shoulder height by gas-filled struts.

325

Operation Engine compartment

Closing

Warning!

When closing the hood, use extreme caution not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that you do not close the hood on anyone.

Make sure that the hood is securely en- gaged before driving off. Do not continue driving if the hood can no longer engage af- ter an accident, for example. The hood could otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in motion and endanger you and others.

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.

326

Checking engine oil level 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 sta- tionary for at least 5 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 5 minutes with the engine turned off

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.

i Do not use any special lubricant additives, as these may damage the drive assemblies. Us- ing 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.

Operation Engine compartment

왘 Pull out oil dipstick 1 again after

Adding engine oil

approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac- curate reading. The oil level is correct when it is be- tween the lower (min) mark 3 and upper (max) mark 2 of oil dipstick 1.

i All models (except E 63 AMG): The filling quantity between the upper and lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l). E 63 AMG: The filling quantity between the upper and lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately 1.6 US qt. (1.5 l). 왘 If necessary, add engine oil. For adding engine oil, see “Adding engine oil”. For more information on engine oil, see “Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.” (컄 page 486). For more information on messages in the multifunction display concerning engine oil, see the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 416).

! Only use approved engine oils and oil filters required for vehicles with Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil- ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service Prod- ucts pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle literature portfolio, or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Using engine oils and oil filters of specification other than those expressly required for the Main- tenance 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 or emission control system damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

327

1 Oil dipstick 2 Upper (max) mark 3 Lower (min) mark To check the engine oil level with the oil dipstick, do the following: 왘 Open the hood (컄 page 324). 왘 Pull out oil dipstick 1. 왘 Wipe oil dipstick 1 clean. 왘 Fully insert oil dipstick 1 into the

dipstick guide tube.

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.

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.

! Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could cause damage to the engine and emis- sion control system 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 486) and (컄 page 489).

Operation Engine compartment

E 350

E 63 AMG

328

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.

Warning!

In order to avoid any potentially 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 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.

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.

1 Marking bar in the expansion tank 2 Cap 3 Coolant expansion tank

Operation Engine compartment

왘 Using a rag, turn the cap 2 slowly ap- proximately one half turn counterclock- wise to release any excess pressure. 왘 Continue turning the cap 2 counter-

clockwise and remove it. The coolant level is correct if the level: 앫 for cold coolant: reaches marking

bar 1 in the expansion tank 3

앫 for warm coolant: is approximately

0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher 왘 Add coolant as required. 왘 Replace and tighten cap 2. For more information on coolant, see the “Technical data” section (컄 page 491).

329

Operation Engine compartment

Battery

Your vehicle’s battery is located in the cargo compartment on the right hand side (컄 page 462). The battery should always be sufficiently charged in order to achieve its rated ser- vice 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 the battery, always use batteries 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.

330

Warning!

Observe all safety instructions and precau- tions when handling automotive batteries.

Risk of explosion.

Fire, open flames and smoking are prohibited when handling batteries. Avoid creating sparks.

Battery acid is caustic. Do not allow it to come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing.

Wear suitable protective cloth- ing, especially gloves, apron and faceguard.

Wear eye protection.

Rinse any acid spills immediate- ly with clear water. Contact a physician if necessary.

Keep children away.

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.

Operation Engine compartment

Windshield/rear window washer sys- tem and headlamp cleaning system*

The windshield washer reservoir is located in the engine compartment.

During all seasons, add MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” to water. Premix the windshield washer fluid in a suitable container.

! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze where temperatures may fall below freezing point. Failure to do so could result in damage to the washer system/reservoir.

Warning!

! Only use washer fluid which is suitable for plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can dam- age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.

Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma- ble. Do not spill washer solvent/ antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may ignite and burn. You could be seriously burned.

For more information, see “Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio” (컄 page 494).

왘 Use the tab to pull cap 1 upwards. 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).

1 Cap for windshield washer 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 4.8 US qt (4.5 l) in vehicles without

headlamp cleaning system

앫 7.4 US qt (7.0 l) in vehicles with head-

lamp cleaning system

331

Operation 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

332

Warning!

Important guidelines

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 re- treads. The operating safety of the vehicle cannot be assured when such tires are used.

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 required.

앫 Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths of less than 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).

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 pres- sure” (컄 page 340).

Tire inspection Every time you check your tire inflation pressure, you should also inspect your tires for the following: 앫 excessive treadwear (컄 page 334) 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 6 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.

333

Operation Tires and wheels

Tread depth Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths of less than 1/8 in (3 mm). Treadwear 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 re- placed. 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 treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), we recom- mend that you do not allow your tires

334

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.

Storing tires

! Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Pro- tect tires from contact with oil, grease and gaso- line.

Cleaning tires

! Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The intense jet of water can result in dam- age to the tire. Always replace a damaged tire.

1 TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) The treadwear indicator appears as a solid band across the tread.

Direction of rotation

Loading the vehicle

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.

i Spare wheels may be mounted against the direction of rotation (spinning) even with a unidi- rectional tire for temporary use only until the reg- ular drive wheel has been repaired or replaced. Always observe and follow applicable temporary use restrictions and speed limitations indicated on the spare wheel.

Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry. 1) The Tire and Loading Information

placard can be found on the driver’s door B-pillar. This placard tells you im- portant 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.

2) The certification label, also found on

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).

Operation Tires and wheels

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.

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.

335

Operation Tires and wheels

Tire and Loading Information

Tire and Loading Information placard

Warning!

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit as indicated on the plac- ard on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly caus- ing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.

i Data shown on placard examples are for il- lustration purposes only. Load limit data are spe- cific to each vehicle and may vary from data shown in the illustrations below. Refer to placard on vehicle for actual data specific to your vehi- cle.

336

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. 왘 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, car- go/luggage and trailer tongue load (if ap- plicable) should never exceed the weight referenced in that statement.

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. The Tire and Loading Information placard showing the seating capacity information is located on the driver’s door B-pillar (컄 page 335).

i Data shown on placard examples are for il-