Page 544 of 723

541 Operation
Tires and wheels
Manufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
(
page 540) denotes the tire
manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires (
page 520).
Tire size
The code3 (
page 540) indicates the
tire size.
Tire type code
The code4 (
page 540) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 540)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture. The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 537).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 525).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Page 547 of 723

544 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Page 550 of 723

547 Operation
Tires and wheels
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
Page 707 of 723

704 Index
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 326
Battery check lamp 326, 330
Factory setting 329
Global locking and unlocking 330
Important notes
on using KEYLESS-GO* 328
Lock button 326
Locking and unlocking 326
Locking using the lock button
on door or on trunk lid 331
Loss of 332
Messages in display 614
Opening button for trunk 326
Panic button 63
Remote control 326
Restoring to factory setting 331
Selective setting 330
Starting the engine 379
Switching on ignition with 338
Turning off engine 388
Unlock button 326
Kickdown 396
Kilopascal 545
Knee bag 46L
Labels 674
Certification 674
Emission control information 675
Tire and Loading Information 524
Vacuum line routing diagram 675
Lamp bulbs, exterior 641
Lamps, exterior
Front 642
Light sensor 617
Rear 642
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 31, 64, 566
Air bag Off 46
Battery check lamp (SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*) 330
Battery check lamp (SmartKey) 325
Brake warning lamp 31
Brakes 567
Combination low tire pressure*
malfunction telltale 31, 576
Distance warning lamp* 31, 572
DISTRONIC Plus* 31, 414, 572
Electronic parking brake 31, 568
Engine diagnostics 31, 570
Engine malfunction 31, 570ESP®31, 567, 572
Front passenger front
air bag off 50, 578
Fuel reserve 573
High beam headlamp 31
Maintenance service indicator 551
Park Assist* 31
Parktronic* 31
Seat belt telltale 31, 573
SRS 31, 575
TPMS* malfunction telltale 31, 576
Turn signals 31
Language (COMAND) 231
LATCH-type child seat anchors
see Children in the vehicle
Lever
For automatic transmission
(gear selector lever) 389
For cruise control 406
For DISTRONIC Plus* 417
License plate lamps
Messages in display 619
Replacing bulbs 642
Light alloy wheels, Cleaning 563