tires MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2016 Owner's Guide

Snow chains
G WARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations: R
never install snow chains to the front
wheels R
always install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you mount
snow chains on steel wheels, you may dam-
age the hub caps. Remove the hub caps from
the relevant wheels before mounting the
snow chains.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have
been specially approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind: R
Snow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible wheel-
tire combinations ( Y
page 384).R
Only use snow chains when driving on roads
completely covered by snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered. R
Local regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains. R
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). R
On vehicles with AIRMATIC, you must drive at
raised vehicle level if snow chains have been
installed ( Y
page 196).R
When snow chains are installed, never use
Active Parking Assist ( Y
page 202).
You may wish to deactivate ESP ®
when pulling
away with snow chains installed: R
All vehicles (except Mercedes ‑ AMG vehicles)
( Y
page 74) R
Mercedes ‑ AMG vehicles ( Y
page 74) You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv-
ing force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks: R
the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase. R
the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction. R
the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel: R
monthly, at least R
if the load changes R
before beginning a long journey R
under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi-
cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop. Tire pressure 363
Wheels and tires Z

Tire and Loading Information placard
C
Recommended tire pressures
The Tire and Loading Information placard is on
the B-pillar on the driver's side ( Y
page 370).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-
tains the recommended tire pressures for cold
tires. The recommended tire pressures are valid
for the maximum permissible load and up to the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
Tire pressure table The tire pressure table is on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. It shows the tire pressure for all tires
permitted at the factory for this vehicle; see
illustration (example).
The tire pressure table contains the recommen-
ded pressures for cold tires for various operat-
ing conditions, i.e. differing load and speed con-
ditions.
If a tire size precedes a tire pressure, the fol-
lowing tire pressure information is only valid for
that tire size; see illustration (example). The load conditions "partially laden" and "fully
laden" are defined in the table for different num-
bers of occupants and amounts of luggage. The
actual number of seats may differ.
Some tire pressure tables show only the rim
diameters instead of the full tire size, e.g. R18 .
The rim diameter is part of the tire size and can
be found on the tire sidewall ( Y
page 374).
If the tire pressures have been set to the lower
values for lighter loads and/or lower road
speeds, the pressures should be reset to the
higher values: R
if you want to drive with an increased load
and/or R
if you want to drive at higher road speeds
The tire pressures for increased loads and/or
higher road speeds, shown in the tire pressure
table, may have a negative effect on driving
comfort.
If the tire pressure is not set correctly, this can
lead to an excessive build-up of heat and a sud-
den loss of pressure.
For more information, contact a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.364
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Important notes on tire pressure
G WARNIN G
If th e tire pressur e drops repeatedly, th e
wheel, valv e or tire may be damaged. Tir e
pressur e that is to o low may result in a tire
blow-out . Ther e is a ris k of an accident.R
Chec k th e tire for foreign objects .R
Chec k whether th e whee l is losing air or th e
valv e is leaking .
If you are unable to rectify th e damage, con-
tac t a qualified specialist workshop.
G WARNIN G
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tire
valves, th e tire valves may be overloaded and
malfunction , whic h can caus e tire pressur e
loss . Due to their design , retrofitte d tire pres-
sur e monitors keep th e tire valv e open . This
can also result in tire pressur e loss . Ther e is a
ris k of an accident.
Only screw th e standard valv e cap or other
valv e cap s approve d by Mercedes-Ben z for
your vehicl e onto th e tire valve.
Use a suitable pressur e gauge to chec k th e tire
pressure. The outer appearanc e of a tire does
no t permit any reliable conclusio n about th e tire
pressure. On vehicles equipped wit h th e elec -
tronic tire pressur e monitor, th e tire pressur e
can be checke d in th e on-board computer.
The tire temperature and pressur e increas e
when th e vehicl e is in motion . This is dependen t
on th e driving spee d and th e load.
Therefore, you should only correc t tire pres-
sures when th e tires are cold.
The tires are cold: R
if th e vehicl e has been parked wit h th e tires
out of direct sunligh t for at least three hour s
and R
if th e vehicl e has no t been driven further than
1 mile (1. 6 km)
The tire temperature changes depending on th e
outside temperature, th e vehicl e spee d and th e
tire l oad. If th e ti
re temperature changes by
18 ‡ (10 †), th e tire pressur e changes by
approximately 10 kP a (0. 1 bar/1.5 psi) . Tak e
this int o accoun t when checkin g th e pressur e of
warm tires . Only correc t th e tire pressur e if it is to o low for th e curren t operating conditions. If
you chec k th e tire pressur e when th e tires are
warm , th e resulting value will be higher than if
th e tires were cold. This is normal. Do no t
reduce th e tire pressur e to th e value specifie d
for cold tires . The tire pressur e would otherwise
be to o low.
Observ e th e recommended tire pressures for
cold tires : R
on th e Tir e and Loading Information placard
on th e B-pillar on th e driver' s sideR
in th e tire pressur e table on th e fuel filler flap
( Y
page 165)
Underinflated or overinflated tires
Underinflated tires
G WARNIN G
Tires wit h pressur e that is to o low can over-
heat and burs t as a consequence . In addition ,
they also suffer from excessiv e and/o r irreg-
ular wear , whic h can severely impair th e brak -
ing properties and th e driving characteristics .
Ther e is a ris k of an accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are to o low in all th e
tires , includin g th e spar e wheel.
Underinflated tires may: R
overheat, leadin g to tire defects R
adversely affec t handlin gR
wear excessively and/o r unevenlyR
hav e an adverse effec t on fuel consumption
Overinflated tires
G WARNIN G
Tires wit h excessively high pressur e can burs t
because they are damaged mor e easil y by
road debris, pothole s etc. In addition , they
also suffer from irregular wear , whic h can
severely impair th e braking properties and th e
driving characteristics . Ther e is a ris k of an
accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are to o high in all th e
tires , includin g th e spar e wheel.Tire pressure 365
Wheels and tires Z

Overinflated tires may: R
increase the braking distance R
adversely affect handling R
wear excessively and/or unevenly R
have an adverse effect on ride comfort R
be more susceptible to damage
Maximum tire pressures
C
Example: maximum permissible tire pres-
sure
Never exceed the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure. Always observe the recom-
mended tire pressure for your vehicle when
adjusting the tire pressure ( Y
page 363).
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-spe-
cific and may deviate from the values in the
illustration.
Checking the tire pressures
Important safety notes Observe the notes on tire pressure
( Y
page 363).
Information on air pressure for the tires on your
vehicle can be found: R
on the vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar R
in the tire pressure table in the fuel filler flap
( Y
page 165)R
in the "Tire pressure" section Checking tire pressures manually To determine and set the correct tire pressure,
proceed as follows: X
Remove the valve cap of the tire that is to be
checked. X
Press the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve. X
Read the tire pressure and compare it to the
recommended value on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire pressure table
( Y
page 363). X
If the tire pressure is too low, increase the tire
pressure to the recommended value. X
If the tire pressure is too high, release air. To
do so, press down the metal pin in the valve,
using the tip of a pen for example. Then check
the tire pressure again using the tire pressure
checker. X
Screw the valve cap onto the valve. X
Repeat these steps for the other tires.
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes While the vehicle is in motion, the tire pressure
loss warning system monitors the set tire pres-
sure using the rotational speed of the wheels.
This enables the system to detect significant
pressure loss in a tire. If the speed of rotation of
a wheel changes as a result of a loss of pressure,
a corresponding warning message will appear in
the multifunction display.
You can recognize the tire pressure loss warning
by the Run Flat Indicator Active Press
'OK' to Restart message which appears in
the Service menu of the multifunction display.
Information on the message display can be
found in the "Restarting the tire pressure loss
warning system" section ( Y
page 367).
Important safety notes
The tire pressure warning system does not warn
you of an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tire pressure
( Y
page 363).
The tire pressure loss warning does not replace
the need to regularly check the tire pressure. An
even loss of pressure on several tires at the366
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

same time cannot be detected by the tire pres-
sure loss warning system.
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn you
of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the tire is
penetrated by a foreign object. In the event of a
sudden loss of pressure, bring the vehicle to a
halt by braking carefully. Avoid abrupt steering
movements.
The function of the tire pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if: R
snow chains are mounted on your vehicle's
tires. R
road conditions are wintry. R
you are driving on sand or gravel. R
you adopt a very sporty driving style (corner-
ing at high speeds or driving with high rates of
acceleration). R
you are driving with a heavy load (in the vehi-
cle or on the roof).
Restarting the tire pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tire pressure loss warning system if
you have: R
changed the tire pressure R
changed the wheels or tires R
mounted new wheels or tires X
Before restarting, make sure that the tire
pressures are set properly on all four tires for
the respective operating conditions.
The recommended tire pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar. Additionally, a tire pressure
table is attached to the fuel filler flap. The tire
pressure loss warning system can only give
reliable warnings if you have set the correct
tire pressure. If an incorrect tire pressure is
set, these incorrect values will be monitored. X
Also observe the notes in the section on tire
pressures ( Y
page 363).X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 2
in the ignition lock ( Y
page 146).X
Use

For information on the message display, refer to
the "Checking the tire pressure electronically"
section ( Y
page 369).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once every two
weeks when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire pres-
sure label on the inside of 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
pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires
are significantly underinflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale lights up,
you should stop and check your tires as soon
as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly underin-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability. Please note that
the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's responsi-
bility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if
underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the warning lamp
will flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the vehi-
cle is started as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated, the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of incom-
patible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate Tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to that recommended for cold tires
which is suitable for the operating situation
( Y
page 363). Note that the correct tire pressure
for the current operating situation must first be
taught-in to the tire pressure monitor. If there is
a substantial loss of pressure, the warning
threshold for the warning messag e i s aligned to
the
reference values taught-in. Restart the tire
pressure monitor after adjusting the pressure of
the cold tires ( Y
page 369). The current pres-
sures are saved as new reference values. As a
result, a warning message will appear if the tire
pressure drops significantly.
The tire pressure monitor does not warn you of
an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe the
notes on the recommended tire pressure
( Y
page 363).
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn you
of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the tire is
penetrated by a foreign object. In the event of a
sudden loss of pressure, bring the vehicle to a
halt by braking carefully. Avoid abrupt steering
movements.368
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

The tire pressure monitor has a yellow warning
lamp in the instrument cluster for indicating
pressure loss or a malfunction. Whether the
warning lamp flashes or lights up indicates
whether a tire pressure is too low or the tire
pressure monitor is malfunctioning: R
if the warning lamp is lit continuously, the tire
pressure on one or more tires is significantly
too low. The tire pressure monitor is not mal-
functioning. R
if the warning lamp flashes for around a
minute and then remains lit constantly, the
tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning.
In addition to the warning lamp, a message
appears in the multifunction display. Observe
the information on display messages
( Y
page 280).
It may take up to ten minutes for a malfunction
of the tire pressure monitor to be indicated. A
malfunction will be indicated by the tire pres-
sure warning lamp flashing for approximately
one minute and then remaining lit. When the
malfunction has been rectified, the tire pressure
warning lamp goes out after a few minutes of
driving.
The tire pressure values indicated by the on-
board computer may differ from those meas-
ured at a gas station with a pressure gauge. The
tire pressures shown by the on-board computer
refer to those measured at sea level. At high
altitudes, the tire pressure values indicated by a
pressure gauge are higher than those shown by
the on-board computer. In this case, do not
reduce the tire pressures.
The operation of the tire pressure monitor can
be affected by interference from radio transmit-
ting equipment (e.g. radio headphones, two-way
radios) that may be being operated in or near the
vehicle.
Checking the tire pressure electroni-
cally X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 2
in the ignition lock ( Y
page 146).X
Use

Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating X
Specification for maximum gross vehicle
weight C is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants, load
and luggage must not exceed the specified
value.
i The specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustration
are examples. The maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight rating is vehicle-specific
and may differ from that in the illustration.
You can find the valid maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight rating for your vehicle on
the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Number of seats
Maximum number of seats C indicates the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard. i The specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustration
are examples. The number of seats is vehicle-
specific and can differ from the details shown.
The number of seats in your vehicle can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
Determining the correct load limit
Step-by-step instructions The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pur-
suant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1966". X
Step 1: Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
Tire and Loading Information placard. X
Step 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle. X
Step 3: Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX lbs. X
Step 4: The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capa-
city. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150-lb pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs). X
Step 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehi-
cle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity cal-
culated in step 4.Loading the vehicle 371
Wheels and tires Z

Vehicle identification plate Even if you have calculated the total cargo care-
fully, you should still make sure that the gross
vehicle weight rating and the gross axle weight
rating are not exceeded. Details can be found on
the vehicle identification plate on the B-pillar on
the driver's side of the vehicle ( Y
page 370).
Permissible Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): the gross weight of the vehicle, all pas-
sengers, load and trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not exceed the permissible
gross vehicle weight.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): the maxi-
mum permissible weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed the
maximum permissible values (gross vehicle
weight and maximum gross axle weight rating),
have your loaded vehicle (including driver, occu-
pants, cargo, and full trailer load if applicable)
weighed on a suitable vehicle weighbridge.
All about wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Stand-
ards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading Stand-
ards
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are U.S.
government specifications. Their purpose is to
provide drivers with uniform reliable information
on tire performance data. Tire manufacturers
have to grade tires using three performance fac-
tors: C tread wear grade, D traction grade and

Maximum tire load C is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissible
load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side ( Y
page 370).
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-spe-
cific and may deviate from the values in the
illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) US tire regulations stipulate that every tire man-
ufacturer or retreader must imprint a TIN in or on
the sidewall of each tire produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifica-
tion code D , tire size