tires MERCEDES-BENZ R-Class 2012 W251 Workshop Manual

Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of 1
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle's
designated seating capacity.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Roadside Assistance" section
( Y page 299) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. It also provides
instructions on changing a wheel or mounting
the spare wheel/emergency spare wheel.
Interchanging the wheels
GWARNING
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible.
GWARNING
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).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle's rims.
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3000 to 6000 miles
( 5000 to 10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear
requires this. Do not change the direction of
wheel rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressures.
Information on changing a wheel and
mounting the spare wheel ( Y page 303).
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Always have the tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel/emergency
spare wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limit specified on the spare wheel/
emergency spare wheel.
346Changing a wheelWheels and tires

Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel.
Cleaning the wheels
GWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
Wheel and tire combinations
Please bear the following in mind
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use Tires and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your
vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only
certain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Certain characteristics, e.g. handling,
vehicle noise emissions or fuel
consumption, may otherwise be adversely
affected. In addition, when driving with a
load, tire dimension variations could cause
the tires to come into contact with the
bodywork and axle components. This could
result in damage to the tires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tires,
wheels or accessories other than those
tested and approved.
Further information about tires, wheels and
approved combinations can be obtained
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
i The Tire and Load Information placard
with the recommended tire pressures is
attached to the B-pillar on the driver's side.
Further information about driving at high
speeds or driving with vehicle loads that are
lighter than the maximum vehicle load can
be found in the tire pressure table on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. Check tire
pressures regularly, and only when the tires
are cold. Comply with the maintenance
recommendations of the tire manufacturer
in the vehicle document wallet.
For further information on the recommended
tire inflation pressure and on tire pressures
for specific driving conditions, see
( Y page 325).
i Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle:
R with tires of the same size on a given axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tires at a given time
(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtended
tires)
i Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires
are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the
factory. It is therefore recommended that
you additionally equip your vehicle with a
TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires.
A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i On the following pages, you can find
information on approved wheel rims and
tire sizes for equipping your vehicle with
winter tires. Winter tires are not available
from the factory as standard equipment or
optional extras.Wheel and tire combinations347Wheels and tiresZ

If you want to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, it may be necessary
to obtain wheel rims in the corresponding
size, as the size of the approved winter tires
may differ from the standard tires. This is
dependent on the model and the
equipment installed at the factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Overview of abbreviations used in the
following tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
In the following table, the wheel/tire
combinations are allocated to the vehicle
models through variants, e.g. V1, V2 etc.:V1R 350V2R 350 BlueTEC348Wheel and tire combinationsWheels and tires

TiresAll-weather tiresAlloy wheelsV1V2BA255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S398.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.64 in (67 mm)##BA255/50 R19 107 H XL
M+SMOExtended 40, 418.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.64 in (67 mm)##BA255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.52 in (64 mm)#—BA265/45 R20 108 H XL M+S 429.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 2.36 in (60 mm)#—Winter tires 43Alloy wheelsV1V2BA255/50 R18 105 H M+S
i8.0 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 2.64 in (67 mm)#—BA255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S i398.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.64 in (67 mm)##BA255/50 R19 107 H XL
M+S i MOExtended 40, 418.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.64 in (67 mm)##BA255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S i8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 2.52 in (64 mm)#—BA265/45 R20 108 H XL M+S i429.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 2.36 in (60 mm)#—Collapsible spare wheel 42TiresWheelsV1V2T 195/75 - 18 106 P
Tire pressure: 300 kPa (3.0 bar/44 psi)6.5 B x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.58 in (40 mm)#—
i The specified tire pressure is printed in yellow on the emergency spare wheel.
39
R 350 BlueTEC: Canada only.
40 R 350 BlueTEC: USA only.
41 MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat characteristics) only in combination with an activated tire pressure loss
warning system or tire pressure monitor.
42 Use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
43 Not available ex factory.Wheel and tire combinations349Wheels and tiresZ

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 24).
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
All Mercedes-Benz Centers maintain a supply
of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts for
necessary service and repair work. In
addition, strategically located parts delivery
centers provide for quick and reliable parts
service.
There are more than 300,000 different
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts available for
Mercedes-Benz models.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject to
strict quality control. Each part has been
specially developed, manufactured or
selected for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
fine-tuned for them.
Therefore, only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
should be used.
GWARNING
Driving safety may be impaired if non-
approved parts, tires and wheels or safety-
relevant accessories are used.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-
relevant systems, e.g. the brake system. This
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and cause an accident.
For this reason, Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or
parts of equal quality. Only use tires, wheels
and accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
! Air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Devices, as well as control units and
sensors for these restraint systems may be
installed in the following areas of your
vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R dashboard
R instrument cluster
R center console
Do not install accessories such as audio
systems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint
systems.
Have aftermarket accessories installed at
a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose.HEnvironmental note
Daimler AG also supplies reconditioned major
assemblies and parts which are of the same
quality as new parts. They are covered by the
same Limited Warranty entitlements as new
parts.
Always specify the vehicle identification
number (VIN) ( Y page 353) and the engine
number ( Y page 354) when ordering genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts.
Warranty
The Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your vehicle.
352WarrantyTechnical data