adapt your driving style to the traffic
conditions.
Summer tires
Index Speed rating
Q up to 100mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106mph (170 km/h)
S up to 112mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(..Y) over 186mph (300 km/h)
ZR over 149mph (240 km/h)
R
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
ove r149 mph (240km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
The service specifications consist of load
bearing index Aand speed rating B.
R If the size description of you rtire 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 rating in the service specification.
Example: 245/40 ZR 18 97 Y. In this
example, "97 Y" is the service specification.
The letter "Y" represents the speed rating
and the maximum speed of the tire is
limited to 186 mph (300km/h).
R The size description for all tires with
maximum speeds of over 186mph
(300km/h) must include "ZR", andthe service specification must be given in
brackets. Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y).
The speed rating "(Y)" indicates that the
maximum speed of the tire is over 186mph
(300km/h). Ask the tire manufacturer
about the maximum speed. All-weather tires and winter tires
Index Speed rating
Q M+S
9 up to 100mph (160 km/h)
T M+S
9 up to 118mph (190 km/h)
H M+S
9 up to 130mph (210 km/h)
V M+S
9 up to 149mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all tires with the M+S marking provide
the driving characteristics of winter tires.
Winter tires have, in additio nto the M+S
identification, the isnow flake symbol
on the tire sidewall. Tires with this marking
fulfill the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding the tire traction on snow. They
have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130mph
(210km/h).
The speed rating of tires mounted 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 rating, e.g. when buying new tires. The
required speed rating for your vehicle can be
found in the "Tires" section (Y page 316).
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
9 Or M+Si for winter tires. Tire labeling
307Wheels and tires Z
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, load
index
:may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed index B(Ypage 306) on
the sidewall of the tire.
R If no specificatio nis given: no text (as in the
example above), represents astandard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Ligh tLoad: represents a light load tire
R C, D, E: represents a load range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry at a certain pressure
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Canadia
ntire regulations prescribe that every
new tire manufacturer or retreader has to
imprin taTIN in or on the sidewall of each tire
produced. The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN makes it easier for tire manufacturers or
retreaders to notify customers of recalls or
other safety-related matters. It makes it
possible for the purchaser to easily identify
the affected tires.
The TIN consists of the manufacturer
identification code
;, tire size=, tire type
code ?and manufacturing date A.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol :indicates that the tire complies
with the requirements of the Canadian
Transport Ministry.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code ;provides
details on the tire manufacturer. New tires
have a code with two symbols. Retreaded
tires have a code with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
(Y page 292).
Tire size: identifier=describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code?can be
used by the manufacturer as a code to
describe specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
A provides information about the age of a
tire. The first and second positions represent
the week of manufacture, starting with "01"
for the first calendar week. Positions three
and four represent the year of manufacture.
For example, a tire that is marked with
"3208", was manufactured in week 32 in
2008.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. 308
Tire labelingWheels and tires
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent. tire pressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an
outward force to each square inch of the tire's
surface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold. Tire pressure of cold tires
The tires are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunligh tonthe tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1 mile (1.6 km) Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road. 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
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 kg (5 lbs). These optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier 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 made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the 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. Treadwear indicators
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 áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached. Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions. Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle. Definition of terms for tires and loading
311Wheels and tires Z
Notes on the vehicle equipment
–always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
R the same type of tires at a given time
(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtended
tires)
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you
additionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT
kit if you mountt ires that do not feature run-
flat properties, e.g. winter tires. ATIREFIT kit
may be obtained from a qualified specialist
workshop.
i On the following pages, you can find
information on approved wheelr ims and
tire sizes for equipping your vehicle with
winter tires. Winter tires are not available
at the factory as standard equipmen tor
optional extras.
If you would like to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, you may also, in
certain circumstances, require rims of the
appropriate size. The sizes of the approved
winter tires may deviate from that of the
standard tires. This is dependent on the
model and the equipment installed at the
factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop.
In the following table, the wheel/tire
combinations are assigned to the vehicle
models through variants, e.g. V1, V2 etc.: V1
B 250
10 i
Not all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
10 BlueEFFICIENCY Wheel and tire combinations
317Wheels and tires Z
Tires
Summer tires Allo
ywheels V1
BA
225/40 R18 92 W XL MOExtended
11, 12 7.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 2.05 in (52 mm) #
All-weather tires Alloy wheels V1
BA 225/45 R17 91 H
M+SMOExtended
11, 12 7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset: 2.07 in (52.5 mm) #
Winter tires Alloy wheels V1
BA 205/50 R17 93 H XL M+S
i 6.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset: 1.93 in (49 mm) #
BA 205/50 R17 93 H XL
M+SiMOExtended
12 6.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset: 1.93 in (49 mm) #
Emergency spare wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The wheel or tire size as well as the tire type
of the spare wheel or emergency spare wheel
and the wheel to be replaced may differ.
Mounting an emergency spare wheel may
severely impair the driving characteristics.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R adapt yourd riving style accordingly and
drive carefully.
R never install more than one spare wheel or
emergency spare wheel that differs in size.
R only use a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size briefly.
R do not switch ESP ®
off.
R have a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. Observe that the wheel and tire dimensions
as well as the tire type must be correct.
When using an emergency spare wheel or
spare wheel of a different size, you must not
exceed the maximum speed of 80 km/h.
Snow chains must not be mounted on
emergency spare wheels. General notes
You should regularly check the pressure of
the emergency spare wheel, particularly prior
to long trips, and correct the pressure as
necessary (Y page 295). The valu eonthe
wheel or as given in the "Technical data"
section (Y page 316) is valid.
i When you are driving with the emergency
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
loss warning system cannot function
reliably. Only restart the tire pressure loss
11 Use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
12 MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat characteristics) only in conjunction with activated tire pressure loss
warning. 318
Emergency spare wheelWheels and tires