
Tire and Loading Information
placard
0046 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 located on the driver's seat frame. 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 of 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. Tire and Loading Information placard
Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight
rating of less than 10,000 lbs(4536 kg).
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating i
The details on the Tire and Loading
Information placard illustration
are only an
example. The maximum permissible gross
vehicle weight rating is vehicle-specific and
may differ from that which is illustrated.
You can find the valid maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight rating for
your vehicle on the Tire and Loading
Information placard. 0046
Maximum number of seats
0047 Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
X The Tire and Loading Information placard
gives you details on maximum permissible
gross vehicle weight rating 0047: "The gross
weight of occupants and luggage must
never exceed XXX kilograms or XXX
pounds."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants,
cargo, luggage
and
trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not exceed the specified
value.
Number of seats i
The details on the Tire and Loading
Information placard illustration
are only an
example. The number of seats is vehicle-
specific and can differ from the details
shown. The number of seats in your vehicle
can be found on the Tire and Loading
Information placard. 262
Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires

0046
Maximum number of seats
0047 Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
Maximum number of seats 0046 determines the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
Determining the maximum load Individual steps
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
X
Step 1: Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs." on
your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard.
X Step 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
traveling in your vehicle.
X Step 3: Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kilograms or XXX lbs.
X Step 4: The resulting figure equals the
available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs).
X Step 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. For reasons of safety, that weight
must not exceed the available cargo and
luggage cargo capacity calculated in step
4.
X Step 6
(if applicable): If you
intend to tow
a trailer behind your vehicle, the load on the
trailer is transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this Operator's Manual to
determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle ( Y page 265). Loading the vehicle
263
Wheels and tires Z

Example: Steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples of how to calculate total load and cargo capacities with
varying seating
configurations
and number and size of occupants. The following examples use
a cargo limit of 1500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you
always use the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard (Y page 262). Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Step 1 Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo
(data
from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Step 2 Number of people in
the vehicle (driver
and occupants)
5 3 1
Distribution of the
occupants
Front: 2
Rear: 3 Front: 1
Rear: 2 Front: 1
Weight of the
occupants
Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Occupant 2:
180 lbs (82 kg)
Occupant 3:
160 lbs (73 kg)
Occupant 4:
140 lbs (63 kg)
Occupant 5:
120 lbs (54 kg) Occupant 1:
200 lbs (91 kg)
Occupant 2:
190 lbs (86 kg)
Occupant 3:
150 lbs (68 kg) Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Gross weight of all
occupants
750 lbs (340 kg) 540 lbs (245 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)264
Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Step 3 Permissible cargo
and trailer load/
noseweight
(maximum gross
vehicle weight
rating
from the Tire and
Loading Information
placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
750 lbs
(340
kg)
= 750 lbs
(340 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
540 lbs
(245
kg)
= 960 lbs
(435 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
150 lbs
(68
kg) =
1350 lbs
(612 kg) The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Further information can be found under "Towing a trailer" (
Y page 152). Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo
carefully, you should still make sure that the
gross vehicle weight
rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details about
this can be found on the vehicle identification
plate on the driver seat frame of your vehicle
(Y page 277).
Gross vehicle weight: the gross weight of
the vehicle, all passengers, cargo and trailer
load/noseweight (if applicable) must not
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating: the maximum
permissible load that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible values (gross
vehicle weight and maximum gross axle
weight rating), have your loaded vehicle
(including driver, occupants, cargo, and full
trailer load if applicable) weighed on a
suitable vehicle weighbridge. 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. Maximum tire load
G
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
B-pillar on the driver's side or on the vehicle
identification plate on the driver seat frame.
Overloading the tires can overheat them,
possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the
tires can also result in handling or steering
problems, or brake failure. Maximum tire load
265
Wheels and tires Z

i
The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
Maximum tire load 0046 is the maximum
permitted weight for which the tire is
approved.
Further information on tire loads
(Y page 266). Tire labeling
Overview of tire labeling
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name: 0046
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Y page 268)
0047 Maximum tire load ( Y page 265)
008A Maximum tire pressure (Y page 257)
0088 Manufacturer
0086 Tire material ( Y page 268)
0087 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (
Y page 266)
006E Tire name
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index
0046
Design standard
0047 Tire width
008A Nominal aspect ration in %
0088 Tire code
0086 Rim diameter
0087 Load bearing index
006E Speed index
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Instructions for tires can be found under
"Tires and wheels" in the "Technical data"
section ( Y page 280).
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter 0046 that precedes the size
description.
If "LT" precedes the size description (as
shown above): these are light truck tires
according to U.S. manufacturing standards.
If "C"
precedes
the size description: these are
commercial motor vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
Tire width: tire width 0047 shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Nominal aspect ratio: aspect ratio 008A is the
size ratio between the tire height and the tire
width and is shown in percent. The aspect
ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height. 266
Tire labeling
Wheels and tires

DOT (Department of Transportation)
Tires with the DOT label fulfill the
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Average weight of vehicle occupants
The number of occupants for which the
vehicle is designed
multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lb). Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
A uniform standard to grade the quality of
tires with regard
to tread quality, 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 F
The tire pressure recommended for your
vehicle for normal driving situations. The
recommendation can be found on the Tire &
Loading Information placard 13
or on the tire
pressure plate on the B-pillar on the driver's
side of the vehicle. The recommended tire
pressure provides the best balance between
handling characteristics, ride comfort and
wear. Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment
The combined weight of all standard and
optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed
on the vehicle or not. Wheel rim
The part of the wheel on which the tire is
mounted. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is
the maximum gross axle weight
rating. The actual load on an axle must never
exceed the gross axle weight rating. The
Gross Axle Weight Rating can be found on the
vehicle identification plate on the driver seat
frame (Y page 277). Speed index
The speed index is part of the tire
identification. It specifies
the speed range for
which the tire is approved. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight
of the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, accessories installed, occupants,
luggage and the drawbar noseweight if
applicable. The gross
vehicle weight may not
exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) specified on the vehicle identification
plate on the driver seat frame ( Y page 277). GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is
the maximum permissible gross
weight of a fully loaded vehicle (the weight of
the vehicle including all accessories,
occupants, fuel, luggage and the drawbar
noseweight if applicable). The Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating is specified on the vehicle
identification plate on the driver seat frame
(Y page 277).
13 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4536 kg). Definition for tires and loading
269
Wheels and tires Z

Maximum weight of the laden vehicle
The maximum weight is the sum of the
unladen weight of the vehicle, the weight of
the accessories, the maximum load and the
weight of the
optional equipment installed at
the factory. Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa is
equivalent to
1 psi. Another tire pressure unit
is bar. 100 kilopascal (kPa) is equivalent to
1 bar. Unladen weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum filling
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant. It also
includes the air-conditioning system and
optional equipment if these are installed on
the vehicle, but does not include passengers
or luggage. Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or
pounds is the maximum weight for which a
tire is approved. 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 width in
percent. Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's
surface. Tire pressure is specified in pounds
per square inch
(psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in
bar. 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 a roof rack or 270
Definition for tires and loading
Wheels and tires

a high-capacity 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 composed
of the manufacturer identification code, tire
size, tire model code and 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
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
The distribution of vehicle occupants over
designated seat positions in a vehicle. Maximum permissible payload
weight
Nominal load and cargo/luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle. Changing wheels
Flat tire
The "Flat tire"
section in the "Practical advice"
chapter (Y page 221) contains information
and notes on how to deal with a flat tire. It
also provides instructions on changing a
wheel or mounting the spare wheel. Replacing wheels
G
Warning
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire
dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible. G
Warning
After changing a wheel, for safety reasons you
must:
R have the tightening torque checked. For
wheel bolts, the tightening torque is
177 lb-ft (240 Nm) (steel wheel)/ 133 lb-ft
(180
Nm) (alloy wheel). For wheel nuts, the
tightening torque is 133 lb-ft (180 Nm). The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
R check the tire pressure and correct it if
necessary.
R have the wheel bolts/wheel nuts
retightened after driving a distance of 30
miles (50 km). The tightening torque for
wheel bolts is 177 lb-ft (240 Nm)(steel
wheel)/133 lb-ft (180 Nm) (alloy wheel).
The tightening torque for wheel nuts is
133 lb-ft (180 Nm).
R if using new or painted rims, have the wheel
bolts and wheel nuts retightened at the
specified tightening torque after the vehicle
has been driven for approximately 600 to
3000 miles (1000 to 5000 km).
R have the direction of rotation corrected, if
reversed, as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. The vehicle handling Changing wheels
271
Wheels and tires
Z