winter tires MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2006 W463 Owner's Manual

Contents
Operation......................................... 217
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 218
Driving instructions ............................ 220
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 220
Drinking and driving ..................... 220
Pedals .......................................... 220
Power assistance ......................... 221
Brakes .......................................... 221
Driving off..................................... 222
Parking ......................................... 222
Tires ............................................. 223
Hydroplaning ................................ 224
Tire traction .................................. 224
Tire speed rating .......................... 225
Winter driving instructions ........... 225
Standing water ............................. 226
Passenger compartment .............. 227
Off-road driving ............................ 227
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 235
Driving abroad .............................. 236
Catalytic converter ....................... 236
Emission control........................... 237
Coolant temperature .................... 238At the gas station .............................. 239
Refueling ...................................... 239
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 240
Engine compartment ......................... 242
Hood ............................................ 242
Engine oil ..................................... 243
Transmission fluid level ................ 248
Coolant level ................................ 248
Windshield/rear window
washer system and headlamp
cleaning system ........................... 249
Battery ............................................... 251
Tires and wheels ................................ 252
Important guidelines .................... 252
Tire care and maintenance ........... 253
Direction of rotation ..................... 255
Loading the vehicle ...................... 255
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 260
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 261
Tire labeling.................................. 263
Load identification ....................... 267
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 268
Maximum tire load ....................... 269Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 270
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 271
Tire ply material ........................... 273
Tire and loading terminology ........ 273
Rotating tires ............................... 276
Winter driving .................................... 278
Winter tires .................................. 278
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 279
Snow chains................................. 279
Maintenance...................................... 280
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 281
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 281
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 282
Vehicle care....................................... 283
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 283

80 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

4-ETS (Electronic Traction System)

EBB (Electronic Brake Booster)

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
t h a t t h e w h e e l s d o n o t l o c k d u r i n g b r a k i n g .
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions (as long as the
differential locks are not engaged).
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode. Keep firm and steady
pressure on the brake pedal while experi-
encing the pulsation.
i
In winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, EBB, and
4-ETS is only achieved with winter tires
or snow chains as required.
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, and 4-ETS cannot
reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
ABS and significantly reduces braking effec-
tiveness.

217 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Battery
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

224 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 278) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) for the win-
ter season for all four wheels to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared with sum-
mer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consid-
erably greater than when the road is not
covered with snow or ice. Exercise appro-
priate caution.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

225 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 149 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km / h).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.
i
For information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(
page 278).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 275).
i
For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(
page 279).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.


252 Operation
Tires and wheels
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.

Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.

Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.

Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.

If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.

Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).

When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.

The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

254 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tread depth
Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths under
1/8in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:

Summer tires 1/8in (3 mm)

Winter tires 1/6in (4 mm)
1TWI (T
read Wear Indicator)
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Storing tires
Cleaning tiresWarning!G
Although the applicable federal motor safety
laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we recom-
mend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches 1/8in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply re-
duced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.!
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
!
Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water can
result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.

267 Operation
Tires and wheels

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tiresLoad identification
1Load identification
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires.
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the
tires you use show M+S and the moun-
tain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

278 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(
page 382).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake.marking on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Using
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP in winter operation.For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

279 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.

Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.

Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
i
When driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(
page 84) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.