Otherwise, the tyres, particularly the sidewalls,
may be damaged.
Regular checking of wheels and tyres
G
WARNING
Damaged tyres can cause tyre inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tyres regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tyres immediately.
Check wheels and tyres for damage at least
once a month. Check wheels and tyres after
driving off-road or on rough roads. Damaged
wheels can cause a loss of tyre pressure. Pay
particular attention to damage such as:
R
cuts in the tyres
R
punctures
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tears in the tyres
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bulges on the tyres
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deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tyre tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width of
the tyre (
Y
page 406). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tyre surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect the
valve against dirt and moisture. Do not fit any-
thing onto the valve other than the standard
valve cap or other valve caps approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. Do not fit any other
valve caps or systems, e.g. tyre pressure moni-
toring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tyres,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tyre
pressure as necessary (
Y
page 408).
Observe the notes on the emergency spare
wheel (
Y
page 428).
The service life of tyres depends on various fac-
tors, including the following:
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driving style
R
tyre pressure
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mileage
Notes on the tyre tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tyre tread will reduce tyre trac-
tion. The tyre is no longer able to dissipate
water. This means that on wet road surfaces,
the risk of aquaplaning increases, in particular
where speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tyre pressure is too high or too low, tyres
may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tyre tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tyres.
Minimum tyre tread depth for:
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summer tyres: 3 mm
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M+S tyres: 4 mm
For safety reasons, replace the tyres before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tyre tread depth is reached.
Selecting, fitting and replacing tyres
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tyre load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tyre damage or the tyre bursting. There
is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tyre types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tyre load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
Pay special attention to country-specific
requirements for tyre approval. These require-
ments can stipulate a specific tyre type for your
vehicle. Furthermore, the use of certain tyre
types in certain regions and areas of operation
can be highly beneficial. You can find further
information regarding tyres at specialist tyre
retailers, at qualified specialist workshops or at
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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Only fit tyres and wheels of the same type and
make.
Exception: it is permissible to fit a different
type or make in the event of a flat tyre.
406
Operation
Wheels
and
tyres
