Operating and road safety
Tyres are of particular importance to the operating and road safety of the vehicle. For this reason, check the tyre pressures, tyre tread and tyre condition on a regular basis.
A tyre dealer, a qualified specialist workshop or any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre will be able to provide further information regarding the:
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tyre load-bearing capacity (LI, Load Index)
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speed index (maximum permissible tyre speed)
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age of tyres
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causes and consequences of tyre wear
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measures to be taken in the event of tyre damage
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types of tyre for specific regions, areas of operation or conditions of vehicle use
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interchangeability of tyres, etc.
Tyre pressure
Check the specified tyre pressures regularly when the tyres are cold, more, i.e. at least every two weeks and before long journeys. The tyre pressure of the tyres on each axle must always be the same.
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if the tyre pressures are too low, this leads to excessive heating of the tyres, increased tyre wear, a deterioration in driving stability and increased fuel consumption.
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excessive tyre pressures lead to an increased braking distance, a deterioration of tyre grip and increased tyre wear.
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valve caps on the tyre valves protect the valve core pins from moisture and dirt. For this reason, always screw the valve caps tightly onto the tyre valves.
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in the event of repeated pressure loss in the tyres, exterior damage or leaking tyre valves may be the cause. Check the condition of the tyres regularly.
Table of tyre pressures more.
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The specified tyre pressures for the vehicle must be observed at all times.
Tyre temperatures and tyre pressures increase when the vehicle is in motion. Do not, therefore, reduce the pressure of a warm tyre under any circumstances. If you did, the tyre pressure would be too low after cooling down.
Insufficient pressure in a tyre could cause the tyre to burst, particularly when greater payloads are being carried and at higher speeds.
You could thereby lose control of the vehicle, cause an accident and injure yourself or others.
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Tyre tread
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A specified minimum tread depth is a legal requirement for all tyres. Observe the legal requirements for each individual country.
The less tyre tread depth remaining, the poorer the road grip and handling characteristics of the vehicle, particularly if the road surface is wet or snow-covered.
A tyre has reached the minimum tread depth when the tread wear indicator (arrow) is flush with the tyre tread.
For safety reasons, have the tyres replaced before the legally specified minimum tread depth is reached.
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Make sure that the tread depth of the tyres is always sufficient. If the tread depth is too low, there is a danger of aquaplaning when driving in heavy rain or slush and at high speeds. The tyre tread is no longer able to displace the water. You could thereby lose control of the vehicle, cause an accident and injure yourself or others.
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Tyre condition
Check the condition of the tyres regularly - at least every two weeks and before long journeys, e.g. for:
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external damage
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foreign objects in the tyre tread
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foreign objects between the tyres (on vehicles with twin tyres)
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cracks, bulges
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uneven tread wear or excessive wear on one side.
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Please note that cracks, bulges or external damage can cause tyres to burst. You could thereby lose control of the vehicle, cause an accident and injure yourself or others. Have damaged tyres replaced immediately.
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Age of tyres
Tyres age, even if they are used infrequently or not at all. Operating and road safety diminish with age. For this reason, have tyres replaced if they are more than six years old.
Tyre damage
Tyre damage can be caused by:
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the operating conditions of the vehicle
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tyre ageing
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kerbs
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foreign bodies
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insufficient or excessive tyre pressure
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weather conditions and environmental factors
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contact with oil, grease, fuel, etc.
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Driving over kerbs or sharp-edged objects can cause damage to the tyre substructure that is not visible from the outside.
Damage to the tyre substructure is only noticeable at a later stage, and can cause the tyre to burst.
You could thereby lose control of the vehicle, cause an accident and injure yourself or others.
Avoid squashing tyres against kerbs and parking the vehicle so that the tyre tread is on a kerb.
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Tyre load capacity, maximum tyre speed and tyre types
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Exceeding the specified tyre load-bearing capacity or maximum permissible tyre speed can result in tyre damage and/or tyre failure. You could thereby lose control of the vehicle, cause an accident and injure yourself or others.
Therefore, only use tyre types and tyre sizes approved for your type of vehicle. Observe the tyre load-bearing capacity and the maximum permissible tyre speed for your vehicle.
You should especially observe the permissible tyre specifications in your country. These specifications may stipulate a certain tyre type for your vehicle and/or prohibit the use of certain tyre types permitted in other countries.
In addition, certain tyre types may be recommended for certain regions and areas of operation. A tyre dealer, a qualified specialist workshop or any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre will be able to provide further information regarding the tyres.
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Replacing the tyres
If you wish to convert the standard tyres of your vehicle to a different tyre/wheel size, you may only use the tyre/wheel sizes approved for your vehicle type. A tyre dealer, a qualified specialist workshop or any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre will be able to provide further information.
If you have replaced your tyres, you must carry the vehicle's type approval for the new tyre/wheel size and a document from the manufacturer showing that the tyres may be used on the vehicle. Observe the legal requirements for each individual country. All Mercedes-Benz Service Centres can provide information on obtaining a manufacturer certificate.
Retreaded tyres
Retreaded tyres are not tested for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and are therefore not recommended. Previous damage cannot always be detected during the retreading process.
