jwratts

I finally had to use my my spare tire. Does anyone know how to deflate the tire back to its original size?

TINMan22

The one for my R500 is a full-size spare. However, I've had a spare that had to be inflated and deflated on another vehicle. The easy way is to press on the stud in the center of the valve stem and let all the air out. As it deflates, it should resume its normal deflated shape. If you have one of those valve stem covers that also serves as a valve stem core remover, use the tool to unscrew the valve stem core. The air will come out at a much faster rate and you can do something else with your time while this happens. Once deflated, remember to reinsert the core and tighten it so it won't leak when the next opportunity comes to use the spare.

JR

jwratts

Thanks JR, but i think this one is a little more challenging. It appears that Mercedes connects a vacaum pump to the spare as it was only slightly larger than the rim. It reminded me of those plastic storage bags that you suck the air out of with your vacaum sweeper..
jack

TINMan22

Ow! Those German-Alabamans are getting too smart for their lederhosen. How are you supposed to get back to status quo unless they provide the vacuum device in the tool kit?!

We stopped by the MB Store Friday night to see the 2012 ML 350. We got there near closing and the salesman wasn't enthusiastic about letting us take it for a drive. Next time, we'll check on whether there is a 2012 R350 in stock and take it for a drive. I want to see what 305 hp feels like with less than 300 ft-lbs of torque (specs say 273). The r500 has 339 ft-lbs of torque and pulls like a hopped-up tractor from a standstill when you tromp the go pedal. Ours has 81,500 on the odometer and is holding up quite well so far.

We like to play-shop for the fun of it. I converted my headlights to HIDs last summer. I don't like the color of the lights so am looking to replace the bulbs with a yellower light. The need for a change prompted me to go "window shopping" for the 2012 models.

Best wishes on solving your tire concern!

JR

lkchris

Surely the technique is described in owners manual.

lkchris

Kind of a puny figure comared to the 400+ ft-pounds of either a 320 or 350 diesel.

jwratts

The rest of the story. The kid (just about everybody is a kid to me) at Firestone was wrong in telling me it would not go back into storage area. I took the valve core out and that baby sucked it self right back into a fetal position. My Mercedes service advisor relayed that this doesn't always happen.
I have an 08 320 diesel and once you get the turbo spinning it is no dog. And it pull down 30 MPG @ 70 MPH. IF Mercedes would catch up with BMW's 2 turbo technology it would be hard to beat.

aggst1

We know this. We read it from just about every diesel lover here. You omitted to mention the "puny figure" for HP for any of the diesels... I d take 305 HP from an atmospheric motor any day.

fireman_mike

I had my first flat a couple of weeks ago. Got a great deal at the MB dealership (4 x almost new tires for $200) but it took them over an hour to get the skinny spare back in the space provided!

Mike