Get Operation -> Winter driving Guide for Mercedes A Class 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2011)

Operation

Winter driving

Interchange the wheels every 5,000 km to

Interchanging the wheels

Winter driving

10,000 km depending on the degree of tyre

G Risk of accident

Points to remember

wear, provided that the vehicle has the same

Interchange the front and rear wheels only

size front and rear tyres. Do not reverse the

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified

if they have the same dimensions: for exam-

direction of tyre rotation.

specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz

ple size, offset, etc.

Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and

Service Centre, at the onset of winter.

After every wheel interchange/change,

the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel

have the tightening torque checked at a

is changed. Check the tyre pressure and, if

Winter tyres

qualified specialist workshop that has the

necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss

necessary specialist knowledge and tools

warning system.

Use winter tyres at temperatures below +7 °C

to carry out the work required. Mercedes-

and on snow or ice-covered roads. Only then

Benz recommends that you use a

can the effect of the ABS and ESP ® driving

Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-

systems be ensured in winter too.

pose. In particular, work relevant to safety

Use winter tyres of the same make and tread

or on safety-related systems must be car-

on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-

ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.

acteristics.

The wheels could work loose if they are not

G Risk of accident

tightened to a torque of 130 Nm.

Winter tyres with a tread depth of less than

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-

4 mm must be replaced immediately. They

mends that you only use wheel bolts of the

are no longer suitable for winter use and

correct size which have been approved for

can no longer provide sufficient grip. This

Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

could cause you to lose control of your

The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres

vehicle and cause an accident.

differ, depending on the operating conditions.

Always observe the maximum permitted

Interchange the wheels before a clear wear

speed specified for the winter tyres you have

pattern has formed on the tyres. Front tyres

fitted. If you fit winter tyres which have a

typically wear more on the shoulders and the

lower maximum permitted speed than that of

rear tyres in the centre.

the vehicle, affix an appropriate warning sign

181

Operation

Winter driving

in the driver's field of vision. This can be

You may only fit snow chains as a pulling-

tems must be carried out at a qualified spe-

obtained at a qualified specialist workshop,

away aid. Only use fine-link snow chains.

cialist workshop.

e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

When snow chains are fitted, you may only

drive straight ahead. The snow chains could

Under these circumstances, you should also

Snow chains

otherwise come into contact with the body-

restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle

work when you turn the front wheels.

using permanent Speedtronic* 25 to the max-

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-

imum permissible speed for the winter tyres

When snow chains are fitted, you cannot use

mends that you only use snow chains which

( Y page 120).

have been specially approved for your vehicle

Active Park Assist* ( Y page 123).

Once you have fitted the winter tyres:

by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding

Do not exceed the maximum permissible

standard of quality.

speed of 50 km/h.

X Check the tyre pressures ( Y page 178).

G Risk of accident

! Information about the use of snow chain-

compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable

Winter driving

If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with

for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only

winter tyres, bear in mind that driving sta-

G Risk of accident

permissible with these tyres.

bility will be impaired owing to unstable

Do not shift down for additional engine

cornering characteristics caused by the dif-

If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear

braking on a slippery road surface. This

ferent tyres. You should therefore adapt

the following points in mind:

could cause the drive wheels to lose their

your driving style and drive carefully.

R snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel/

grip and the vehicle could skid.

Have the spare wheel* replaced at the

tyre combinations.

nearest qualified specialist workshop

You should drive particularly carefully on slip-

R snow chains must not be fitted to emer-

which has the necessary specialist knowl-

pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-

gency spare wheels, e.g. on a "Minispare"

edge and tools to carry out the work

tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.

emergency spare wheel.

required. Mercedes-Benz recommends

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be

R Fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the

that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service

stopped when moving at low speed:

front wheels. Comply with the manufactur-

Centre for this purpose. In particular, work

er's installation instructions.

relevant to safety or on safety-related sys-

! Vehicles with 17" tyres

25 Only available for certain countries.

* optional

182

Operation -> Winter driving for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2011)

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