Get Operation -> Tyres and wheels Guide for Mercedes A Class 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2011)

Operation

Tyres and wheels

G Risk of fire

may be adversely affected. In addition, the

Tyres and wheels

wheels may come into contact with the

Windscreen washer fluid is highly flamma-

Points to remember

body or axle components when heavily loa-

ble. Fire, naked flames and smoking are

ded or when driving with snow chains. This

prohibited when handling washer fluid con-

! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-

could result in damage to the tyres or the

centrate.

ommends that you only use tyres and

vehicle.

wheels which have been approved by

X At temperatures above freezing:

Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-

! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor

fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mix of

cle. These tyres have been specially adap-

recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since

water and windscreen washer concentrate

ted for use with the control systems, such

previous damage cannot always be detec-

( Y page 175).

as ABS or ESP ® , and are marked as follows:

ted on retreaded tyres. As a result,

X At temperatures below freezing:

R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original

Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle

fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mix of

safety if retreaded tyres are fitted. Do not

R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended

water, antifreeze additive and windscreen

fit used tyres if you have no information

(with run-flat characteristics)*

washer concentrate ( Y page 175). Adapt

about their previous usage.

the mixing ratio to the outside tempera-

*Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres

G Risk of accident

tures.

should only be used on wheels that have

been specifically approved by Mercedes-

If wheels or tyres other than those which

X Mix the windscreen washer fluid in a con-

Benz.

have been tested are fitted:

tainer beforehand.

If you use other tyres and wheels,

R the brakes or chassis components could

! Only use windscreen washer fluid which

Mercedes-Benz cannot accept any respon-

be damaged.

is suitable for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuit-

sibility for damage that may result from

R wheel and tyre clearances can no longer

able windscreen washer fluid could dam-

this. Further information about tyres,

be guaranteed.

age the plastic lamp lenses of the head-

wheels and approved combinations can be

This could cause an accident.

lamps.

obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service

Centre.

X To open: pull cap 1 upwards by the tab.

Modification work on the brake system and

If you use tyres other than those tested and

wheels is not permitted, nor is the use of

X To close: press cap 1 onto the filler neck

recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehi-

spacer plates or brake dust shields. This inva-

until it clicks into place.

cles, characteristics such as handling, vehi-

cle noise emissions and fuel consumption

* optional

176

Operation

Tyres and wheels

Notes on regularly inspecting wheels

lidates the General Operating Permit for the

reduce your speed and stop the vehicle as

and tyres

vehicle.

soon as possible to check the wheels and

tyres for damage. Hidden tyre damage

R Regularly check the wheels and tyres of

Notes on selecting, fitting and replacing

could also be causing the unusual handling

your vehicle for damage (e.g. cuts, punctu-

tyres

characteristics. If you find no signs of dam-

res, tears, bulges on tyres and deformation,

age, have the wheels and tyres examined

cracks or severe corrosion on wheels), at

R Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type

at a specialist workshop, for example at a

least every 14 days, as well as after driving

and make.

Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

off-road or on rough roads. Damaged

R Only fit tyres of the correct size onto the

R When parking your vehicle, make sure that

wheels could cause a loss of tyre pressure.

wheels.

the tyres do not get deformed by the kerb

R Regularly check the tyre tread depth and

R After fitting new tyres, run them in at mod-

or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive

the condition of the tread across the whole

erate speeds for the first 100 km as they

over kerbs, speed humps or similar, try to

width of the tyre ( Y page 178). If neces-

only reach their full performance after this

do so slowly and at an obtuse angle. Oth-

sary, turn the front wheels to full lock in

distance.

erwise, the tyres, particularly the sidewalls,

order to inspect the inner side of the tyre

could get damaged.

R Fit new tyres on the front wheels first if

surface.

tyres of the same size are required on the

R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect

front and rear wheels.

Direction of rotation

the valve against dirt and moisture.

R Replace the tyres after six years at the lat-

R Regularly check the pressure of all your

Tyres with a specified direction of rotation

est, regardless of wear. This also applies to

have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk

tyres including the spare tyre*, particularly

the spare wheel*.

of aquaplaning. You will only gain these ben-

prior to long trips, and correct the pressure

R Do not drive with tyres which have too little

efits if the correct direction of rotation is

as necessary ( Y page 178).

tread depth as this significantly reduces

observed.

the traction on wet roads (aquaplaning).

Notes on driving

An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates

its correct direction of rotation.

! Store tyres that are not being used in a

R While driving, pay attention to vibrations,

cool, dry and preferably dark place. Protect

i You may fit a spare tyre* against the

noises and unusual handling characteris-

the tyres against oil, grease, petrol and die-

direction of rotation.

tics, e.g. pulling to one side. This may indi-

sel.

cate that the wheels or tyres are damaged.

If you suspect that a tyre is defective,

* optional

177

Operation

Tyres and wheels

Tyre tread

Tyre pressures

MOExtended run-flat system*

G Risk of accident

The MOExtended run-flat system allows you

i You will find a table of tyre pressures for

to continue driving the vehicle even when one

various operating conditions on the inside

Bear in mind that:

or more tyres lose all air pressure.

of your vehicle's fuel filler flap.

R tyre grip decreases rapidly on wet roads

The MOExtended run-flat system may only be

The valid value for the spare wheel* is sta-

when the tread depth is less than 3 mm.

used in combination with the tyre pressure

ted on the spare wheel and in the technical

Thus, you should replace tyres that have

loss warning system and only on wheels spe-

data section.

insufficient tread.

cifically tested and approved by Mercedes-

G Risk of accident

R winter tyres should be replaced when the

Benz.

tread depth is 4 mm or less as they will

Tyre pressure that is either too high or too

i Vehicles with MOExtended run-flat sys-

no longer provide adequate grip.

low has a negative effect on the vehicle’s

tem are not equipped with the TIREFIT

driving safety, which could lead you to

R the tread on a tyre may not wear evenly.

kit* 24 .

cause an accident. Therefore, you should

Thus, you should regularly check the

Therefore, it is recommended that you

regularly check the pressure of all your

tread depth and the condition of the

equip your vehicle additionally with the

tyres (including the spare tyre*), particu-

tread across the entire width of all tyres.

TIREFIT kit* when fitting tyres that do not

larly prior to long trips, and correct the

If necessary, turn the steering wheel so

feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter

pressure as necessary.

that you can see the tyre tread more eas-

tyres.

ily.

To test tyre pressure, use a suitable pressure

Otherwise, you could lose control of the

gauge. The outer appearance of a tyre does

i A TIREFIT kit* is available from any quali-

vehicle and cause an accident due to the

not permit any reliable conclusion about the

fied specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-

reduced grip of the tyres on the road.

tyre pressure.

Benz Service Centre.

G Risk of accident

You will find notes on driving with a flat tyre

in the "Practical advice" section

Should the tyre pressure drop repeatedly:

( Y page 262).

24 Only for certain countries.

* optional

178

Operation

Tyres and wheels

Driving with tyre pressure that is too high or

Tyre pressure loss warning system

R Check the tyre for foreign bodies.

too low can:

R Check whether the wheel is losing air or

While the vehicle is in motion, the tyre pres-

R shorten the service life of the tyres

the valve is leaking.

sure loss warning system monitors the set

tyre pressure using the rotational speed of

R increase the likelihood of tyre damage

Tyre pressure that is too low has a negative

the wheels. This enables the system to detect

effect on the vehicle’s active safety, which

R have a negative effect on handling charac-

significant pressure loss in a tyre. If the speed

could lead to your causing an accident.

teristics (e.g. by causing aquaplaning)

of rotation of a wheel changes as a result of

Tyre pressure changes by approximately

a loss of pressure, a corresponding warning

i The tyre pressure values given for low

0.1 bar for every 10 °C change in ambient

message will appear in the multi-function dis-

loads are minimum values which offer you

temperature.

play.

good ride comfort characteristics.

If you measure the tyre pressure in enclosed

G Risk of accident

However, you can also use the values given

spaces where the temperature differs from

for higher loads. These are permissible and

The tyre pressure loss warning system does

the outside temperature, you will have to cor-

will not adversely affect the running of the

not warn you of an incorrectly set tyre pres-

rect the measured value accordingly.

vehicle.

sure. The table on the inside of the fuel filler

When the vehicle is driven, the tyre tempera-

flap will help you decide whether the tyre

H Environmental note

ture, and with it the tyre pressure, will

pressures should be corrected.

Check the tyre pressure regularly, at least

increase depending on the road speed and

The tyre pressure loss warning system does

every 14 days.

the load on the tyres.

not replace the need to regularly check

Therefore, you should only correct tyre pres-

your vehicle's tyre pressures, since an even

sures when the tyres are cold.

loss of pressure on several tyres at the

The pressure of warm tyres should only be

same time cannot be detected by the tyre

corrected if it is too low for the current oper-

pressure loss warning system.

ating conditions.

The tyre pressure loss warning system is

not able to warn you of a sudden loss of

pressure, e.g. if the tyre is penetrated by a

foreign object.

In the event of a sudden loss of pressure,

bring the vehicle to a halt by braking care-

179

$OperationTyres and wheelstyres is set correctly for the operating con-fully. Do not make any sudden steeringRestart Run Flat Indicat.? Yes Can-ditions when doing Also observe the notes in the section onIf you wish to confirm the restart:The function of the tyre pressure loss warningtyre pressures ( Y page 178).X Press the æ is limited or delayed if:G Risk of accidentThe following message appears in theR snow chains are fitted to your vehicle'smulti-function display:The tyre pressure loss warning system give reliable warnings if you have setRun Flat Indicator restartedR road conditions are correct tyre a teach-in period, the tyre pressureR you are driving on sand or an incorrect tyre pressure is set, theseloss warning system will monitor the setincorrect values will be pressures of all four tyres.R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-nering at high speeds or driving with highA tyre with insufficient pressure results inIf you wish to cancel the restart:rates of acceleration).vehicle instability when driving, thusX Press the ç the risk of an accident.R you are towing a very heavy or large you are driving with a heavy load (in theX Wait until the messageX Make sure that the key is in positionvehicle or on the roof).2 ( Y page 62) in the ignition Run Flat Indicator?Yes Cancel will see the following message on theThe tyre pressure values stored at the lastRestarting the tyre pressure loss warn-standard screen of the multi-function dis-restart will continue to be systemplay ( Y page 100)X Press k or j to select the tyre pres-Restart the tyre pressure loss warning systemsure function:if you have:Run Flat Indicator activeR changed the tyre pressureMenu: R-ButtonR changed the wheels or tyresX Press the reset button on the left of theinstrument cluster.R fitted new wheels or tyresThe following$

Operation

Tyres and wheels

tyres is set correctly for the operating con-

fully. Do not make any sudden steering

Restart Run Flat Indicat.? Yes Can-

ditions concerned.

movements when doing so.

cel

X Also observe the notes in the section on

If you wish to confirm the restart:

The function of the tyre pressure loss warning

tyre pressures ( Y page 178).

X Press the æ button.

system is limited or delayed if:

G Risk of accident

The following message appears in the

R snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's

multi-function display:

The tyre pressure loss warning system can

tyres.

only give reliable warnings if you have set

Run Flat Indicator restarted

R road conditions are wintry.

the correct tyre pressure.

After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure

R you are driving on sand or gravel.

If an incorrect tyre pressure is set, these

loss warning system will monitor the set

incorrect values will be monitored.

tyre pressures of all four tyres.

R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-

nering at high speeds or driving with high

A tyre with insufficient pressure results in

If you wish to cancel the restart:

rates of acceleration).

vehicle instability when driving, thus

X Press the ç button.

increasing the risk of an accident.

R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.

R you are driving with a heavy load (in the

X Wait until the message

X Make sure that the key is in position

vehicle or on the roof).

2 ( Y page 62) in the ignition lock.

Restart Run Flat Indicator?

Yes Cancel disappears.

You will see the following message on the

The tyre pressure values stored at the last

Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-

standard screen of the multi-function dis-

restart will continue to be monitored.

ing system

play ( Y page 100)

X Press k or j to select the tyre pres-

Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system

sure function:

if you have:

Run Flat Indicator active

R changed the tyre pressure

Menu: R-Button

R changed the wheels or tyres

X Press the reset button on the left of the

instrument cluster.

R fitted new wheels or tyres

The following message appears in the

X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre

multi-function display:

pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap

to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four

180

Operation -> Tyres and wheels for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2011)

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