Sorry if my reply was a little blunt.
>>The Mitsubishi document just seemed to make sense to me, they have some world class engineers.
Yes - the Mitsubishi document is fine - for those Mitsubishis only.
Roger Jones has posted the relevant info for Mercedes cars higher up the thread.
I know there's a difference in the traditions and history of the different types of vehicle maintenance, but, would you be happy on the runway in a Boeing to find the mechanic who had just fitted the wheels had followed an Airbus procedure? I fiond it really strange that one of the most safety critical fasteners on the car is being approached with such a laissez faire attitude - this is on a forum where people agonise over the choice of polish and cleaning cloth!
Wheel bolt failure tends not to be such a big issue on cars, as the safety margins in the design are usually large enough to cover bodging, but, commercial vehicle wheel security, and the confusion caused by lube / no lube advocates continues to cause serious accidents.
Have a nosy on the ground on the run up to fast roundabout junctions when you're next in a traffic jam - you won't have to wait long before you see a failed heavy vehicle stud and nut rusting in the verge.
>>I suppose it stems from struggling to remove wheels at the side of the road.
Yes, it is problematic. However, if the wheels are removed and cleaned at reasonable intervals, especially after any wading, it shouldn't cause much difficulty.
