2011 MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class winter tires

Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Do not use tires until they are excessively
worn as the tire traction on wet road surfaces
decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible as soon as a tread
depth of approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) is
reached. If this is the case, the tire is so worn
that it must be replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least 1
/ 8 in (3 mm). The
recommended tread depth for winter tires is
at least 1
/ 6 in (4 mm).
Bar marking
: for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Storing tires
Store tires that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Cleaning tires
! Do not use a high pressure jet with
circular jet nozzles (concentrated-power
jets) to clean the tires. The high pressure
of the water jet could damage the tires.
Always replace damaged tires.
Tire pressures
Tire pressure information
GWarning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
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.
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.
You will find a table of recommended tire
pressures on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the
driver's side ( Y page 334). You will find a
table of tire pressures for various operating
conditions on the inside of your vehicle's fuel
filler flap.
To test tire pressure, use a suitable pressure
gauge. The outer appearance of a tire does
not permit any reliable conclusion about the
tire pressure. On vehicles installed with the
electronic tire pressure monitor, the tire
pressure can be checked in the on-board
computer.
GWarning!
Should the tire pressure drop repeatedly:
326Tire pressuresTires and wheels
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Quality grades can be found, where
applicable, on the tire sidewall between the
tread shoulder and maximum tire width.
For example:Tread wearTractionTemperature200AAA
All passenger car tires must conform to U.S.
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government test track. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government test track as
a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions.
Traction
GWarning
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
GWarning
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will
be substantially reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tire
tread depth of 1/6 in (4 mm) for all four winter
tires ( Y page 165) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow covered
surfaces in comparison to summer tires. The
braking distance is still much further than on
surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz warranty conditions.
Temperature
GWarning
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards339Tires and wheelsBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 339Z

For further information on the load bearing
index, see load index ( Y page 343).
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, "97Y" 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 54up to 100 mph (160 km/h)T M+S54up to 118 mph (190 km/h)H M+S 54up to 130 mph (210 km/h)V M+S54up 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
54 or M+S i for winter tires.342Tire labelingTires and wheels
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TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that the ball coupling of the trailer tow hitch
can support.
Wear indicator
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.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
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 information"
( Y page 324).
! 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 (AMG)
Only use Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
tires on wheels that have been specifically
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you use other tires, wheels and
accessories, Mercedes-Benz cannot
accept any responsibility for damage that
may result from this. Further information
about tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! If you mount tires other than those tested
and recommended by Mercedes-Benz,
characteristics such as handling, noise
levels and fuel consumption, etc. may be
adversely affected. In addition, when
driving with a load, tire dimensional
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.
i Further information about tires and
wheels can be obtained from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i The Tire and Load 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. Comply with the maintenance
recommendations of the tire manufacturer
in the vehicle document wallet.
Further information on the recommended tire
inflation pressure and on tire pressures for
specific driving conditions, see (Y page 326).
i Notes on the vehicle equipment:
R always mount tires of the same size on a
given axle (left/right).
R always mount the same type of tires on
your vehicle at a given time (summer
tires, winter tires, MOExtended tires).Wheel/tire combinations347Tires and wheelsBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 347Z

iVehicles featuring the MOExtended run-
flat system are not equipped with a TIREFIT
kit.
It is therefore recommended that you
additionally equip your vehicle with the
TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires.
A TIREFIT kit is available from any qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 as an optional
extra.
If you want to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, it may be necessary
to obtain wheel rims in the corresponding
size, as the size of the approved winter tires
may differ from the standard tires. This is
dependent on the model and the
equipment installed at the factory.
Tires, wheel rims and further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.348Wheel/tire combinationsTires and wheels
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Tires of the same dimensions
i BA: Both axlesML 350 4MATIC 55ML 35056R17BAAlloy wheels
Offset7.5 J x 17 H2
2.20 in (56 mm)7.5 J x 17 H2
2.20 in (56 mm)All-weather tires235/65 R17 104 H
M+S—Winter tires 57235/65 R17 104 H
M+S i235/65 R17 104 H
M+S iML 350
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
ML 350 4MATIC 58R18BAAlloy wheels
Offset8 J x 18 H2
2.36 in (60 mm)Winter tires 57255/55 R18 105 H M+S
iAll-terrain tires57255/55 R18 105 H M+SML 550 4MATICR18BAAlloy wheels
Offset8 J x 18 H2
2.36 in (60 mm)All-weather tires255/55 R18 105 H M+SWinter tires 57255/55 R18 105 H M+S
iAll-terrain tires57255/55 R18 105 H M+S55
Canada only.
56 USA only.
57 Standard tires without run-flat characteristics, not available as standard equipment or optional equipment
at the factory. Vehicles with MOExtended tires, retrofitting a TIREFIT kit is recommended.
58 Also vehicles with the Sports package.Wheel/tire combinations349Tires and wheelsBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 349Z

ML 35059,
60
ML 350 4MATIC 59,
60
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 61
ML 550 4MATIC 60R19BAAlloy wheels
Offset8 J x 19 H2
2.36 in (60 mm)All-weather tires 57255/50 R19 107 H XL M+SWinter tires57255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S
iML 35056
ML 350 4MATIC 56
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 56
ML 550 4MATIC 56R19BAAlloy wheels
Offset8 J x 19 H2
2.36 in (60 mm)All-weather tires 62255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S MOExtendedWinter tires62,
63255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S MOExtended
iML 550 4MATIC64R19BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset8.5 J x 19 H2
2.28 in (58 mm)All-weather tires 65255/50 R19 107 H XL M+SWinter tires63255/50 R19 107 H XL M+S
i59
USA only.
60 Vehicles with the Sports package.
61 Canada only.
57 Standard tires without run-flat characteristics, not available as standard equipment or optional equipment
at the factory. Vehicles with MOExtended tires, retrofitting a TIREFIT kit is recommended.
56 USA only.
62 Tires with run-flat characteristics must only be used in conjunction with an activated tire pressure loss
warning system or TPMS.
63 Not available as standard equipment or optional equipment at the factory.
64 Vehicles with Appearance Package.
65 Use of snow chains not permitted.350Wheel/tire combinationsTires and wheels
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ML 63 AMGR19BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset9.5 J x 19 H2
2.81 in (46 mm)Winter tires 63285/45 R19 107 H M+S
iML 35066
ML 350 4MATIC 66
ML 550 4MATICR20BAAlloy wheels
Offset8.5 J x 20 H2
2.17 in (55 mm)All-weather tires 65265/45 R20 108 H XL M+SML 550 4MATIC60R20BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset8.5 J x 20 H2
2.36 in (60 mm)All-weather tires 65265/45 R20 108 H XL M+SML 63 AMGR20BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset10 J x 20 H2
1.81 in (46 mm)Summer tires 65295/40 ZR20 106 YWinter tires63, 65295/40 R20 110 V XL M+S
iML 63 AMGR21BAAMG alloy wheels
Offset10 J x 21 H2
1.81 in (46 mm)Summer tires 65295/35 ZR21 107 Y XL63
Not available as standard equipment or optional equipment at the factory.
66 Vehicles with Appearance Package.
65 Use of snow chains not permitted.
60 Vehicles with the Sports package.Wheel/tire combinations351Tires and wheelsBA 164.1 USA, CA Edition B 2011; 1; 2, en-USd2mskotVersion: 3.0.3.52010-04-21T17:25:06+02:00 - Seite 351Z