Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards
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 =.
These regulations do not apply to Canada.
Nevertheless, all tires sold in North America
are provided with the corresponding quality
grading markings on the sidewall of the tire.
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
For example: Treadwear Traction Temperature
200 AA A Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course 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
G
WARNING
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. Those 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.
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
tread depth of ã in (4 mm) for all four winter
tires ( Y page 300) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
311
Wheels and tires Z
ProCarManuals.com
applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle
identification plate.
VIN
X
Slide the right-hand front seat to its
rearmost position.
X Fold up floor covering : in front of the
right-hand front seat.
You will see VIN ;.
The VIN can also be found in the following
locations:
R on the lower edge of the windshield
(Y page 329)
R on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 328) Engine number
:
Emissions control information plate
; Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase)
= VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield) Service products and filling
capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Service products may be poisonous and
hazardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of
service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children. H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an
environmentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R Fuels
R Lubricants (e.g. engine
oil, transmission oil)
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Windshield washer fluid
R Climate control system refrigerant
Components and service products must be
matched. You should therefore only use
products that have been tested and approved
by Mercedes-Benz.
Information about tested and approved
products can be obtained from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
You can recognize service products approved
by Mercedes-Benz by the following
inscription on the containers:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations
indicate a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet number (e.g.
MB 229.5). They have not necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Service products and filling capacities
329
Technical data Z
ProCarManuals.com
i
Use antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
according to MB approval 325.0 or 326.0. Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not add
distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only MB SummerFit and MB WinterFit
washer fluid should be mixed together. The
spray nozzles may otherwise become
blocked.
When handling washer fluid, observe the
important safety notes on service products
(Y page 329).
At temperatures above freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and windshield washer fluid, e.g.
MB SummerFit.
Add 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts water. At temperatures below freezing:
X
Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB
WinterFit.
Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside
temperature.
R Down to 14 ‡ (Ò
10 †): mix 1 part MB
WinterFit with 2 parts water.
R Down to Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †): mix 1 part MB
WinterFit with 1 part water.
R Down to Ò20.2 ‡ (Ò29 †): mix 2 parts MB
WinterFit with 1 part water.
i Add windshield washer fluid, e.g. MB
SummerFit or MB WinterFit, to the washer
fluid all year round. Climate control system refrigerant
Important safety notes Type of refrigerant
The instruction label about types of
refrigerants can be found on the radiator
cross member.
Refrigerant R-134a
!
Only use refrigerant R-134a and PAG oil
(part number A0019890803) which has
been approved by Mercedes-Benz. The
approved R-134a PAG
oil may not be mixed
with other conventional PAG oils.
Otherwise, the climate control system may
be damaged.
Service work, such as topping-up refrigerant
or replacing components, may only be carried
out by a qualified specialist workshop. All
applicable regulations must be adhered to,
SAE standard J639 included.
Always have work on the climate control
system carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. 334
Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data
ProCarManuals.com