2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class winter tires

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 482) 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 snowy. Take
appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
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 build up 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. Furthermore, excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Tire labeling
Tire labeling overview
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name:
Tire labeling495Tires and wheelsZ

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 35up to 100 mph (160 km/h)T M+S35up to 118 mph (190 km/h)H M+S 35up to 130 mph (210 km/h)V M+S35up 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
have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the following speeds:
R 130 mph(210 km/h):
- All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
R 155 mph(250 km/h):
- S 63 AMG
- S 65 AMG
R 186 mph(300 km/h):
- S 63 AMG (Performance Package)
- S 63 AMG with raised maximum speed
- S 65 AMG with raised maximum speed
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 503) 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.
35 or M+S i for winter tires.498Tire labelingTires and wheels

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 483).
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 theoriginal 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 qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Overview of abbreviations used in the
following tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
The tire and wheel combinations listed in the
tables below apply to the following models:V1S 550 36V2S 550 4MATIC 36V3S 600V4AMG vehicles36
BlueEFFICIENCY.504Wheel/tire combinationsTires and wheels

Winter tires39Alloy wheelsV1V2V3V4BA255/45 R18 99 V
M+S i 408.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.69 in. (43 mm)###—BA255/40 R19 100 V XL
M+S i 408.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.69 in. (43 mm)####FA255/40 R19 100 V XL
M+S i8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.69 in. (43 mm)———#RA275/40 R19 105 V XL
M+S i 389.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.69 in. (43 mm)Minispare emergency wheel 38TiresWheelsV1V2V3V4T 155/70 R19 113 M
Tire pressure: 420 kPa (4.2 bar/
61 psi)4.5 B x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.38 in. (35 mm)####
i The specified tire pressure is printed in yellow on the emergency spare wheel.
39
Not available from the factory.
40 Only fine-link snow chains are permitted.
38 Use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the section on snow chains.506Wheel/tire combinationsTires and wheels