Page 314 of 473

313 Operation
Tires and wheels
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Page 315 of 473

314 OperationTires and wheelsTIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
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.
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
1/16
in (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 capacity weight
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
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 470 of 473

469 Index
V
Vehicle
Locking 31
Locking in an emergency 393
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 230
Towing 421
Unlocking 31
Unlocking in an emergency 391
Vehicle capacity weight 314
Vehicle care
Leather upholstery 329
Ornamental moldings 325
Upholstery 329
Wood trims 329
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle level
Changing 227
Setting 227
Vehicle level control (ABC) 225
Vehicle level control switch 32
Vehicle lighting
Checking 273
Vehicle loading terminology 312
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 314
Vehicle status messages 347
Vehicle tool kit 388VIN 431
Voice control system* 25
W
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 224
Distronic* 216
Drivers seat belts 80
Parking brake 55
Warranty coverage 429
Washing the vehicle 324
Wear pattern (tires) 315
Wheel bolts
Tightening torque 412
Wheel change 405
Tightening torque 412
Wheel wrench 389
Wheels
Tires and wheels 283
Wind screen 204
Installing 204
Removing 205
Windows see Side windows
Windows, cleaning 326
Windshield
Cleaning wiper blades 326
Defogging 191Refilling washer fluid 282
Washer fluid 58, 282
Washer system 282
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 452
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning
system 272, 273
Windshield washer fluid 58
Filler neck 282
Messages in display 387
Mixing ratio 452
Refilling 282
Windshield wipers 25, 57
Fast wiper speed 57
Intermittent wiping 57
Replacing wiper blades 403
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 58
Winter driving
Snow chains 318
Tires 316
Winter driving instructions 266
Winter tires 316
Wood trims
Cleaning 329