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Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.:Maximum permitted tire pressure
(example)
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
When adjusting the tire pressures always
observe the recommended tire pressure for
your vehicle ( Y page 306).
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWarning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show
the maximum possible load.(1)The Tire and Loading Information placard
is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The
Tire and Loading Information placard
shows the permissible number of
occupants and the maximum permissible
vehicle load. It also contains details of the
tire sizes and corresponding pressures
for tires mounted at the factory.(2)The vehicle identification plate is on the
B-pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle
identification plate informs you of the
gross vehicle weight rating. It is made up
of the vehicle weight, all vehicle
occupants, the fuel and the cargo. You
can also find information about the
maximum gross axle weight rating on the
front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried
by one axle (front or rear axle). Never
exceed the maximum load or the
maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle.
B-pillar (example: Coupe)
:B-pillar, driver's side
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
i The data in the illustration of the Tire and
Loading Information placard is an example.
The maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating is vehicle-specific and may
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Page 320 of 344

Trailer load/noseweight
The trailer load/noseweight affects the gross
weight of the vehicle. If a trailer is attached,
the trailer load/noseweight is included in the
load along with occupants and luggage. The
trailer load/noseweight is usually
approximately 10% of the gross weight of the
trailer and its cargo.
Your Mercedes-Benz is designed for
transporting persons and their luggage.
Mercedes-Benz does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Maximum tire load
GWarning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
Maximum tire load : is the maximum
permitted weight for which the tire is
approved.
Further information on tire loads
( Y page 320).
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount an emergency spare wheel/
spare wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limitation specified on the
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of tire quality standards
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
are U.S. government specifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliable information on tire performance data.
Tire manufacturers have to grade tires using
three performance factors: : tread
wear, ; tire traction, and = heat resistance.
All tires sold in North America are provided
with the corresponding quality class mark on
the sidewall of the tire, even though these
regulations do not apply to Canada.
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
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Page 323 of 344

Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index:Tire width;Aspect ratio in percent=Tire code?Rim diameterALoad bearing indexBSpeed index
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size
description (as shown above): passenger
vehicle tires according to European
manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description:
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: light
truck tires according to U.S. manufacturing
standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: compact
emergency spare wheels at high tire
pressure, only for temporary use in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width : shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio: aspect ratio ; is relationship
between tire height and tire width and is
specified in percent. The aspect ratio is
calculated by dividing the tire width by the tire
height.
Tire code: tire code = specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents
diagonal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
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).
Rim diameter: rim diameter ? is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches (in).
Load bearing index: load bearing index A
is a numerical code that specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.GWarning
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
sudden tire failure may be the result which
could cause an accident and/or serious injury
to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with rims and
tires having the same specifications
(designation, manufacturer and type) as
shown on the original part.
GWarning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
Example:
The load bearing index 91 is equivalent to a
maximum load of 1356 lbs (615 kg) that the
tire can carry. For further information on the
maximum tire load in kilograms and pounds,
see ( Y page 318).
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