flat tire MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS 2007 Service Manual

497 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flasher
(page 142).

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight-ahead
position.

Set the parking brake (
page 57).

Set the automatic transmission to park
positionP (
page 187).

Turn off the engine (
page 39).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* button once
(page 67).

Open the driver’s door (this puts
the starter switch in position0,
same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch). The
driver’s door then can be closed
again.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel
(Minispare wheel or collapsible tire) are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire pressure and do not ex-
ceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a
Minispare wheel is mounted.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with air suspension package*:
Do not open or close any doors or the
tailgate while mounting a spare wheel. The
vehicle could rise or lower to a previously
selected level. You or others could be
injured as a result.
i
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.

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498 Practical hintsFlat tireMounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 497).Vehicles with Minispare wheel:

Take the wheel wrench, the collapsible
wheel chock, and the vehicle jack out
of the cargo compartment
(page 469).

Take the Minispare wheel out of the
cargo compartment (
page 473).
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only):

Take the collapsible tire, wheel wrench,
wheel bolts, jack, and electric air pump
out of the cargo compartment
(page 474).Lifting the vehicle
i
Vehicles with collapsible tire:
You can use the power outlet in the cargo com-
partment or in the front of the rear seats to oper-
ate the electric air pump even when the ignition
is switched off, e.g. in order to inflate the col-
lapsible emergency spare tire.
An emergency shut-off feature ensures that the
vehicle’s electrical voltage does not fall below a
minimum level. If the voltage drops to this mini-
mum level, the power outlets are automatically
switched off. This ensures that enough power re-
mains to start the engine.
!
Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for
scissors-type jack.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure that the jack
arm is fully seated in the jack take-up brack-
et. Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

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499 Practical hints
Flat tire

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One collapsible wheel chock is includ-
ed with the vehicle tool kit
(page 469). For information on set-
ting up the collapsible wheel chock,
see (page 472).
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should
circumstances require you to do so on a
hill, place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object as follows:

Place the wheel chock and another
sizable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.1Wheel wrench

On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with wheel
wrench1).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.2Take-up bracket
3Jack
4Crank

Place jack3 on firm ground.
!
Do not position the jack on the body of the
vehicle, as this may cause damage to the
vehicle.
!
Vehicles with factory-mounted
running-boards*:
Your vehicle is equipped with a scissors-type
jack (located under the cargo compartment
floor) designed for use with factory-mounted
running boards. Only use this jack when jacking
up vehicles with factory-mounted running boards
as otherwise the vehicle’s underbody can be
damaged. See separate instructions for
scissors-type jack.

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500 Practical hintsFlat tire
Position jack3 under the take-up
bracket2 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an in-
cline.

Turn crank4 clockwise until jack3
is fully seated in take-up bracket2
and the jack base evenly meets the
ground.

Continue to turn crank4 until the
wheel is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm)
from the ground.Removing the wheel
1Alignment bolt

Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and
remove it.

Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt1 supplied with the tool kit
(page 469).

Remove the remaining bolts.

Remove the wheel.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!
Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt. This
could result in damage to the bolts and wheel
hub threads.

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501 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the new wheel
1Wheel bolt for 18", 19" and 20" light
alloy wheels and collapsible tire (AMG
vehicles)
2Wheel bolt for 17" light alloy wheels or
Minispare wheel (located in vehicle tool
kit (
page 469))

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide spare wheel onto the alignment
bolt and push it on the wheel hub.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.

Unscrew the alignment bolt.

Insert the remaining wheel bolt and
tighten it slightly.
!
Wheel bolts2 must be used when mount-
ing 17" light alloy rims or the Minispare wheel.
The use of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for 17" light alloy rims or the Minispare
wheel will damage the vehicle’s brakes.
!
To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while installing first
wheel bolt.
Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are
damaged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
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502 Practical hintsFlat tire
Inflating the collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only)
Take the electric air pump out of the
cargo compartment (
page 474).
Electric air pump1Flap
2On/off switch
3Electrical plug
4Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5Union nut
Open flap1 on electric air pump.

Pull out electrical plug3 and air hose
with pressure gauge4.

Remove the valve cap from the
collapsible tire valve.
Warning!
G
Only use genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. Other wheel
bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could fall off the jack.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only):
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 502) before
lowering the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.!
Do not lower the vehicle before inflating the
collapsible tire. Otherwise the rim may be dam-
aged.
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503 Practical hints
Flat tire

Screw union nut5 onto the collaps-
ible tire valve.

Insert electrical plug3 into a power
outlet (
page 302).

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once without depressing the
brake pedal.

Press I on electric air pump switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the collapsible
tire.

Inflate the collapsible tire to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure given in
the “Technical data” section
(page 536).
This takes about 5 minutes for the col-
lapsible tire.

Press 0 on electric air pump switch2.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button twice without depressing the
brake pedal.

If the tire inflation pressure is above
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure given in this Operator’s Manual,
release excess tire inflation pressure
using the vent screw.
!
The cigarette lighter* (
page 300) or the
power outlet in the front center console
(
page 302) is not designed for use with the
electric air pump. Use the power outlet in the
rear center console or in the cargo compartment
(page 303) for electric air pump operation.
Warning!
G
Air hose4 and union nut5 can become
hot during inflation. Exercise proper caution
to avoid burning yourself when using the
equipment.!
Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the electric air pump again
after it has cooled off.
!
Please compare the recommended tire
inflation pressure for your vehicle with the tire
inflation pressure on the yellow label located on
the spare wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to
the recommended tire inflation pressure given
on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.

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504 Practical hintsFlat tire
Detach the electric air pump.

Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electric air pump back in the cargo
compartment.Lowering the vehicle

Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Remove the jack.1-5Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only):
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 502) before
lowering the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
110 lb-ft (150 Nm).

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505 Practical hints
Flat tire

Store jack and all other vehicle tool kit
items back into the storage well.
i
The removed road wheel cannot be stored in
the spare wheel well under the cargo compart-
ment floor, but should be transported in the car-
go compartment wrapped in a protective cover.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.
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536 Technical dataRims and tires!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:


MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as


poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
i
Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center. A placard with the recommended
tire inflation pressure is located on the driver’s
door B-pillar (
page 530). Some vehicles may
have supplemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds (
page 375)
or for vehicle loads less than the maximum
loaded vehicle condition (
page 375). If such
information is provided, it can be found on the
placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
i
The following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire
configuration on your vehicle (Appearance
Package, Sport Package etc.), equipping your
vehicle with winter tires approved for your
vehicle model may also require the purchase of
two or four wheel rims of the recommended size
for use with these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for more
information.
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