Get Wheels and tires -> Changing a wheel Guide for Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

Bead

The tire bead ensures that the tire sits

securely on the wheel. There are several steel

wires in the bead to prevent the tire from

coming loose from the wheel rim.

Sidewall

The part of the tire between the tread and the

bead.

Weight of optional extras

The combined weight of those optional extras

that weigh more than the replaced standard

parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These

optional extras, such as high-performance

brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-

performance battery, are not included in the

curb weight and the weight of the

accessories.

TIN (Tire Identification Number)

This is a unique identifier which can be used

by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for

example for a product recall, and thus identify

the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the

manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire

type code and the manufacturing date.

Load bearing index

The load bearing index (also load index) is a

code that contains the maximum load bearing

capacity of a tire.

Traction

Traction is the result of friction between the

tires and the road surface.

TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)

The TWR specifies the maximum permissible

weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow

hitch can support.

Treadwear indicators

Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are

distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread

is level with the bars, the wear limit of á in

(1.6 mm) has been reached.

Occupant distribution

The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at

their designated seating positions.

Total load limit

Nominal load and luggage load plus 150 lbs

(68 kg) multiplied by the number of seats in

the vehicle.

Changing a wheel

Flat tire

The "Breakdown assistance" section

(Y page 298) contains information and notes

on how to deal with a flat tire.

Rotating the wheels

WARNING

Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires

are of the same dimension.

If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size

tires (different tire dimensions front vs. rear),

tire rotation is not possible.

WARNING

Have the tightening torque checked after

changing a wheel. The wheels could come

loose if they are not tightened to a torque of

96 lb-ft (130 Nm).

Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts

specified for your vehicle's rims.

On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure

monitor, electronic components are

located in the wheel.

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Changing a wheel

Wheels and tires

Tire-mounting tools should not be used

near the valve. This could damage the

electronic components.

Only have tires changed at a qualified

specialist workshop.

Rotating front and rear wheels of differing

dimensions can render the general operating

permit invalid.

Always pay attention to the instructions and

safety notices in the section on "Changing a

wheel and mounting a spare wheel"

(Y page 335).

The wear patterns on the front and rear tires

differ, depending on the operating conditions.

Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern

has formed on the tires. Front tires typically

wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires

in the center.

If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you

can rotate the wheels according to the

intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty

book in your vehicle documents. If no

warranty book is available, the tires should be

rotated every 3,000 to

6,000 miles(5,000 to 10,000 km), or earlier if

tire wear requires. Do not change the

direction of wheel rotation.

Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and

the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel

is rotated. Check the tire pressure and

reactivate the tire pressure monitor

(Y page 319) if necessary.

Direction of rotation

Tires with a specified direction of rotation

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

of hydroplaning. You will only gain these

benefits if the correct direction of rotation is

observed.

An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates

its correct direction of rotation.

You may mount the spare wheel against the

direction of rotation. Adhere to the time

restriction on use as well as the speed

limitation specified on the spare wheel.

Storing wheels

Store tires that are not being used in a cool,

dry and preferably dark place. Protect the

tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel.

Cleaning the wheels

WARNING

The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt

blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage

to the tires or chassis components.

Components damaged in this way may fail

unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Do not use power washers with circular jet

nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged

tires or chassis components replaced

immediately.

Mounting a wheel

Preparing the vehicle

WARNING

You must remove the spare wheel from the

spare wheel carrier before lifting the vehicle.

Otherwise the vehicle could fall off the jack

and injure you or others.

Prepare the vehicle as described

(Y page 298).

Remove the vehicle tool kit and the jack

(Y page 296).

Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling

away.

Remove the spare wheel from the spare

wheel bracket (Y page 297).

Vehicles without a spare wheel or

emergency spare wheel are not equipped

with a tire-change tool kit at the factory. For

more information on which tools are

required to perform a wheel change on your

vehicle e.g. lug wrench or jack, consult an

authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Changing a wheel

335

Wheels and tires

Securing the vehicle to prevent it from

rolling away

On level ground: place chocks or other

suitable items under the front and rear of

the wheel that is diagonally opposite the

wheel you wish to change.

On downhill gradients: place chocks or

other suitable items in front of the wheels

of the front and rear axle.

Raising the vehicle

WARNING

If you do not position the jack correctly at the

appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the

jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.

There is a risk of injury.

Only position the jack at the appropriate

jacking point of the vehicle. The base of the

jack must be positioned vertically, directly

under the jacking point of the vehicle.

The jack is designed exclusively for

jacking up the vehicle at the jacking points.

Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged.

The following must be observed when raising

the vehicle:

to raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-

specific jack that has been tested and

approved by Mercedes-Benz. If used

incorrectly, the jack could tip over with the

vehicle raised.

the jack is designed only to raise and hold

the vehicle for a short time while a wheel

is being changed. It is not suited for

performing maintenance work under the

vehicle.

avoid changing the wheel on uphill and

downhill slopes.

before raising the vehicle, secure it from

rolling away by applying the parking brake

and inserting wheel chocks. Never

disengage the parking brake while the

vehicle is raised.

the jack must be placed on a firm, flat and

non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a

large, load-bearing underlay must be used.

On a slippery surface, a non-slip underlay

must be used, e.g. rubber mats.

do not use wooden blocks or similar

objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the

jack will not be able to achieve its load-

bearing capacity due to the restricted

height.

make sure that the distance between the

underside of the tires and the ground does

not exceed 1.2 in (3 cm).

never place your hands and feet under the

raised vehicle.

never lie under the raised vehicle.

never start the engine when the vehicle is

raised.

never open or close a door or the tailgate

when the vehicle is raised.

make sure that no persons are present in

the vehicle when the vehicle is raised.

Using lug wrench :, loosen the bolts on

the wheel you wish to change by about one

full turn. Do not unscrew the wheel bolts

completely.

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Changing a wheel

Wheels and tires

Pump lever ;

Assemble the pump lever for the jack. It can

be found with the vehicle tool kit

(Y page 296).

Turn pressure release screw = clockwise

as far as it will go using notch ; on the

pump lever.

Pressure release screw = is closed.

Do not turn pressure release screw = by

more than one to two revolutions.

Otherwise, hydraulic fluid could escape.

Set jack : on solid ground.

Position jack : on the axle carrier

tube ; of the front or rear axle. Jack :

must always stand vertically, even on

slopes.

Make sure that jack : is correctly

positioned under axle carrier tube ;. The

front or rear axle must sit securely in the

recess of jack :.

Raise the vehicle by pumping in the

direction of the arrow until the tire is

1.2 in (3 cm) off the ground at the most.

Removing a wheel

Do not place wheel bolts in sand or on a

dirty surface. The bolt and wheel hub

threads could otherwise be damaged when

you screw them in.

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Remove the wheel.

Mounting a new wheel

WARNING

Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged

or rusted.

Never oil or grease wheel bolts. This could

cause the bolts to loosen in the wheel hub.

WARNING

Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged

or rusted.

Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.

Damaged wheel hub threads should be

repaired immediately. Do not continue to

drive under these circumstances! Contact an

authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call

Roadside Assistance.

Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tightened

wheel bolts can cause the wheel to come off.

This could cause an accident. Make sure to

use the correct wheel bolts.

Changing a wheel

337

Wheels and tires

WARNING

Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.

Other wheel bolts may come loose.

Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the

vehicle is raised. Otherwise, the vehicle could

fall off the jack.

To prevent damage to the paintwork, hold

the wheel securely against the wheel hub

while screwing in the first wheel bolt.

Always pay attention to the instructions and

safety notes in the "Changing a wheel"

section (Y page 334).

Clean the wheel and wheel hub contact

surfaces.

Place the new wheel on the wheel hub and

push it on.

Tighten the wheel bolts until they are

finger-tight.

Lowering the vehicle

WARNING

The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts

and bolts are not tightened to the specified

tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.

Have the tightening torque immediately

checked at a qualified specialist workshop

after a wheel is changed.

Open the pressure release screw on the

jack using the pump lever (Y page 336) by

approximately one turn.

Lower the vehicle until it is once again

standing firmly on the ground.

Place the jack to one side.

Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a

crosswise pattern in the sequence

indicated (: to A). The specified

tightening torque is 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).

Disassemble the pump lever.

Push the jack piston back in and close the

drain plug.

Use the bolts to secure the faulty wheel to

the spare wheel bracket (Y page 297).

Stow the jack and the vehicle tools in the

vehicle again.

Check the tire pressure of the newly

installed wheel and adjust it if necessary.

A table with the tire pressures for your

vehicle can be found on the B-pillar on the

driver's side.

Wheel and tire combinations

General notes

WARNING

Replace rims or tires with the same

designation, manufacturer and type as shown

on the original part. For further information

contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

If incorrectly sized rims and tires are

mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension

components can be damaged. Also, the

operating clearance of the wheels and the

tires may no longer be correct.

WARNING

Replace rims or tires with the same

designation, manufacturer and type as shown

on the original part. For further information

contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

If incorrectly sized rims and tires are

mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension

components can be damaged. Also, the

operating clearance of the wheels and the

tires may no longer be correct.

338

Wheel and tire combinations

Wheels and tires

Wheels and tires -> Changing a wheel for Your Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

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