warning MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class 2008 C216 Comand Manual

571 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi-
mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of
air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire inflation pressure
where the temperature is different from
the outside temperature.Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation
pressure when the tires are cold. The tires
can be considered cold if the vehicle has
been parked for at least 3 hours or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If you check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are warm (the vehicle has
been driven for several miles or sitting less
than 3 hours), the reading will be
approximately 4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than
the cold reading. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the specified cold tire in-
flation pressure. Otherwise, the tire will be
underinflated.Checking tire inflation pressure
manually
Follow the steps below to achieve correct
tire inflation pressure:

Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire.

Firmly press a tire gauge onto the
valve.

Read tire inflation pressure on tire
gauge and check against the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B-pillar
(page 564) or, if available, the tire in-
flation pressure label on the inside of
the fuel filler flap. If necessary, add air
to achieve the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the driv-
er’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Overloading the tires can also result in han-
dling or steering problems, or brake failure.


572 OperationTires and wheels
Install the valve cap.

Repeat this procedure for each tire.
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced TPMS)The Advanced TPMS only functions on
wheels that are equipped with the proper
electronic sensors. It monitors the tire in-
flation pressure, as selected by the driver,
in all four tires. A warning is issued to alert
you to a decrease in pressure in one or
more of the tires.
Tire inflation pressure inquiries are made
using the multifunction display. The
present inflation pressures are displayed
only after a few minutes of travel time.
i
If you have overfilled the tire, release tire in-
flation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the
valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then recheck the
tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.
i
The Advanced
Tire
Pressure
Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS) is equipped with a
combination low tire pressure/TPMS malfunc-
tion telltale in the instrument cluster
(page 618). Depending on how the telltale illu-
minates, it indicates a low tire inflation pressure
condition or a malfunction in the Advanced
TPMS system itself:


If the telltale illuminates continuously, one
or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. There is no malfunction in the
Advanced TPMS.


USA only:
If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the Advanced TPMS
system itself is not operating properly.
i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Possible differences between the readings
of a tire inflation pressure gauge of an air hose,
e.g. gas station equipment, and the vehicle’s
control system can occur. Usually the readings
issued by the control system are more precise.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 284).


573 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on the ignition (
page 365).

Press( or& to select the menu
“Service”.

Press$ or% to select “Tire
Pressure”.

Press#.
i
When the message “Tire Pressures Dis-
played After Driving a Few Minutes” appears in
the display, the individual inflation pressure val-
ues are matched with the tires. The individual
values are displayed after a few minutes driving.Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the Advanced TPMS on the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Underinflated tires
affect the ability to steer or brake the vehi-
cle. You might lose control over the vehicle.
i
With a spare wheel without wheel sensor
mounted, the system may still indicate the tire
inflation pressure of the removed wheel for some
minutes. If this happens, keep in mind that the
indicated value where the spare wheel is mount-
ed does not reflect the actual spare tire inflation
pressure.
Warning!
G
The Advanced TPMS does not indicate a
warning for wrongly selected inflation pres-
sures. Always adjust tire inflation pressure
according to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or,
if available, the supplemental tire inflation
pressure information on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
The Advanced TPMS is not able to issue a
warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of
pressure (e.g. tire blowout caused by a for-
eign object). In this case bring the vehicle to
a halt by carefully applying the brakes and
avoiding abrupt steering maneuvers.

574 OperationTires and wheelsWarning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar or, if available, the tire
inflation pressure label on the fuel filler flap.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information placard or, if available,
the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with an advanced tire pres-
sure monitoring system (Advanced TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low
tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate then to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may effect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the Advanced TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the Advanced TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with an
Advanced TPMS malfunction indicator to in-
dicate when the system is not operating
properly. The Advanced TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with the low tire pres-
sure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approx-
imately one minute and then remain contin-
uously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or sig-
nal low tire pressure as intended.
Advanced TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the installa-
tion of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the Ad-
vanced TPMS from functioning properly. Al-
ways check the Advanced TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en-
sure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the Advanced TPMS to
continue to function properly.i
If a condition causing the Advanced TPMS to
malfunction develops, it may take up to
10 minutes for the system to signal a malfunc-
tion using the Advanced TPMS telltale flashing
and illumination sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few minutes driv-
ing if the malfunction has been corrected.
i
Operating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the Advanced TPMS
to malfunction.

575 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating Advanced TPMS
The Advanced TPMS must be reactivated
when you have adjusted the tire inflation
pressure to a new level (e.g. because of dif-
ferent load or driving conditions). The Ad-
vanced TPMS is then recalibrated to the
current tire inflation pressures.
Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(page 564) or, if available, the sup-
plemental tire inflation pressure
information on the inside of the fuel fill-
er flap (
page 550), make sure the tire
inflation pressure of all four tires is
correct.

Switch on the ignition (
page 365).

Press( or& to select the menu
“Service”.

Press$ or% to select
“Tire Pressure”.

Press#.
You will see

the current inflation pressures for
each tire
or


the message
“Tire Pressures
Displayed After Driving
a Few Minutes”
appear in the multifunction display.

Press%.
The message
“Use Current
Pressures As New
Reference Values
Press "OK" to Confirm
Tire Press.”
appears in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the Advanced TPMS on the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Underinflated tires
affect the ability to steer or brake the vehi-
cle. You might lose control over the vehicle.
i
Reactivate the Advanced TPMS after adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure to the inflation
pressure recommended for the vehicle operating
condition. Tire inflation pressure should only be
adjusted on cold tires. Observe the recommend-
ed tire inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 564). Some vehicles may have supple-
mental tire inflation pressure information for
driving at high speeds (
page 570) or for vehi-
cle loads less than the maximum loaded vehicle
condition. If such information is provided, it can
be found on the inside of the fuel filler flap
(
page 550).
i
After wheel rotation or sensor replacement,
the vehicle must be parked for 20 minutes be-
fore attempting to reactivate the Advanced
TPMS.
i
The menu overview can be found on
(
page 284).


576 OperationTires and wheels
Press#.
The message
“Tire Pressure Monitor
Reactivated”
appears in the multifunction display.
After a few minutes driving, the current
tire inflation pressure values are ac-
cepted as reference values and then
monitored.
If you wish to cancel activation:

PressL.
or

Press$ to exit menu screen.Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tires
Underinflated tires can:


cause excessive and uneven tire wear


adversely affect fuel economy


lead to tire failure from being
overheated


adversely affect handling
characteristicsOverinflated tires
Overinflated tires can:


adversely affect handling
characteristics


cause uneven tire wear


be more prone to damage from road
hazards


adversely affect ride comfort


increase stopping distance
i
When the wheel positions are changed on
the vehicle, it is possible that the air pressure is
temporarily displayed for the wrong position.
This will be corrected after driving for several
minutes, and the air pressure will be shown for
the correct position.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.


579 Operation
Tires and wheels
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(page 581).
Tire speed rating
The tire speed rating6 (
page 577)
indicates the approved maximum speed
for the tire.Summer tires
Warning!
G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 586) of your
vehicle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the
result which may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
i
Tire load rating5 (
page 577) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 577) are also referred
to as “service description”.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
i
Tire load rating5 (
page 577) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 577) are also referred
to as “service description”.
Index
Speed rating
Q
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R
up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S
up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W
up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y
up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
(Y)
above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR
above 149 mph (240 km/h)

582 OperationTires and wheelsManufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
(page 581) denotes the tire
manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires (
page 561).
Tire size
The code3 (
page 581) indicates the
tire size.
Tire type code
The code4 (page 581) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 581)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture. The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 578).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 566).
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.

583 Operation
Tires and wheels
Maximum tire inflation pressure
1Maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure
This is the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure for the tire.
Always follow the recommended tire
inflation pressure (
page 569) for proper
tire inflation. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance
factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance.
1Treadwear
2Traction
3Temperature resistance
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Warning!
G
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

584 OperationTires and wheelsQuality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to the
minimum level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.