For further information on the load bearing
index, see load index ( Y page 289).
Speed index: speed index B specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.GWarning
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum
speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires
are rated can lead to sudden tire failure,
causing loss of vehicle control and possibly
resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
Regardless of the speed index always observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt
your driving style to the traffic conditions.
Summer tiresIndexSpeed ratingQup to 100 mph (160 km/h)Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)ZR...Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)ZR...(..Y)above 186 mph (300 km/h)ZRabove 149 mph (240 km/h)
R Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR"
in the size description depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
The service specifications consists of load
bearing index A and speed index B.
R If the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service
specifications, ask the tire manufacturer in
order to find out the maximum speed.
If a service specification is available, the
maximum speed is limited according to the
speed index in the service specification.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97 Y. In this
example, "97 Y" is the service specification.
The letter "Y" represents the speed index
and the maximum speed of the tire is
limited to 186 mph (300 km/h).
R Every tire that has a maximum speed above
186 mph (300 km/h) must have "ZR" in the
size description and the service
specification must be given in brackets.
Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). The speed
index "(Y)" shows that the maximum speed
of the tire is above 186 mph (300 km/h).
Ask the tire manufacturer to find out the
maximum speed.All-weather tires and winter tiresIndexSpeed ratingQ M+S 33up to 100 mph (160 km/h)T M+S33up to 118 mph (190 km/h)H M+S 33up to 130 mph (210 km/h)V M+S33up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all tires that have the M+S
identification offer the driving
characteristics of winter tires. Winter tires
have, in addition to the M+S identification,
the i snow flake symbol on the tire
sidewall. Tires with this identification fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding the tire traction on snow and
33 or M+S i for winter tires.288Tire labelingTires and wheels
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have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the following speeds:
R All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
130 mph (210 km/h)
R AMG vehicles: 155 mph (250 km/h)
R AMG vehicles with raised maximum speed:
174 mph (280 km/h)
The speed index of tires installed at the
factory may be higher than the maximum
speed that the electronic speed limiter
permits.
Make sure that your tires have the required
speed index as specified in the "Tires" section
( Y page 293) for your vehicle, e.g. when
buying new tires.
More information on reading the tire data can
be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Load index
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
In addition to the load bearing index, load
index : may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed index B (Y page 287) on
the sidewall of the tire.
R If no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Light load: represents a light load tire
R C, D, E: represents a load range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry at a certain pressure
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every new
tire manufacturer or retreader has to imprint
a TIN in or on the sidewall of each tire
produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers to inform
purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer
identification code ;, tire size =, tire type
code ? and date of manufacture A.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol : marks that the tire complies with
the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code ; provides
details on the tire manufacturer. New tires
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have a code with two symbols. Retreaded
tires have a code with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
( Y page 270).
Tire size: identifier = describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code ? can be
used by the manufacturer as a code to
describe specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
A provides information about the age of a
tire. The first and second positions represent
the week of manufacture, starting with "01"
for the first calendar week. Positions three
and four represent the year of manufacture.
For example, a tire that is marked with
"3208", was manufactured in week 32 in
2008.
Tire ply material
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
This information describes the tire cord and
the number of layers in sidewall : and under
the tread ;.
Definitions for tires and loading
Tire ply composition and material
used
Describes the number of layers or the number
of rubber-coated belts in the tire tread and
the tire wall. These are made of steel, nylon,
polyester and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure. 14.5038 pounds
per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals
(kPa) are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of
the United States Department of
Transportation.
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants
The number of occupants for which the
vehicle is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lb).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
This is a uniform standard to grade the quality
of tires with regards to tread quality, tire
traction and temperature characteristics. The
quality grading assessment is made by the
manufacturer following specifications from
the U.S. government. The quality grade of a
tire is imprinted on the sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
This is the recommended tire pressure for
your vehicle under normal driving conditions.
You will find the recommendation on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
B-pillar on the driver's side of your vehicle.
The recommended tire pressure provides the
best balance between handling
characteristics, ride comfort and wear.
Additional information on particular driving
conditions is located on the tire pressure
table on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
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Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire
pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold. For this,
the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least three hours or not have traveled more
than 1.6 km (1 mile) in this time.
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
part and more than 2.3 kilograms (5 lbs).
These optional extras, such as high-
performance brakes, level control, a roof rack
or a high-performance battery, are not
included in the unladen weight and the weight
of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires,
for example for a product recall, and thus
identify the purchasers. The TIN is made up
of the manufacturer's identity code, tire size,
tire type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Wear indicator
This is indicated by 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.
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Distribution of the vehicle occupants
This is the distribution of vehicle occupants
over designated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload
weight
Nominal load and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle.
Wheel/tire combinations
Points to remember
GWarning
Observe the "Important safety notes"
( Y page 270).
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires,
wheels and accessories 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 with 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 Loading 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. Follow the tire manufacturer's
maintenance recommendations in the
vehicle document wallet.
Further information on recommended tire
pressures including tire pressures for specific
driving situations, see ( Y page 272).
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 The following pages contain information
on approved wheel rims and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicle with winter tires.
Winter tires are not available at the factory
as standard equipment or optional extras.
If you wish to fit approved winter tires to
your vehicle, rims of appropriate size are
also required, as the sizes of the approved
winter tires can differ from those of the
original tires. This is dependent on the
model and the equipment installed at the
factory.
Tires and wheel rims as well as additional
information are available from a qualifiedWheel/tire combinations293Tires and wheelsBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 293Z
Tires of the same dimensions
i BA: both axlesC 250 34, 35
C 250 4MATIC 35R16BAAlloy wheels
Offset7 J x 16 H2
1.69 in (43 mm)All-weather tires205/55 R16 91 H M+SWinter tires205/55 R16 91 H M+S iC 300
C 300 4MATICC 350 35
C 350 4MATIC 35R17BAAlloy wheels
Offset7.5 J x 17 H2
1.85 in (47 mm)7.5 J x 17 H2
1.85 in (47 mm)Summer tires 36225/45 R17 91 W
MOExtended—All-weather tires225/45 R17 91 H M+S—Winter tires225/45 R17 91 H
M+S i225/45 R17 91 H
M+S iWinter tires 36225/45 R17 91 H
M+S i MOExtended—C 63 AMGR18BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset8 J x 18 H2
1.77 in (45 mm)Winter tires225/40 R18 92 H XL M+S iWinter tires37235/40 R18 95 V XL M+S
i
Mixed size tires
i FA: front axle, RA: rear axle
34
Not in combination with the Sports package.
35 Canada only.
36 Tires with run-flat characteristics and only in combination with an activated tire pressure loss warning system
or tire pressure monitor.
37 Use of snow chains not permitted.Wheel/tire combinations295Tires and wheelsBA 204 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 5, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-20T09:17:30+02:00 - Seite 295Z