Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) .................333
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................331
Bar (definition) ............................... 331
Changing awheel .......................... 334
Characteristics .............................. 331
Checking ........................................ 311
Definition of terms .........................331
Direction of rotatio n...................... 334
Display message ............................ 236
Distributio nofthe vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................333
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .330
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............331
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 332
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 332
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................332
Important safety notes ..................310
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......331
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........332
Labeling (overview )........................ 327
Load bearing index (definition) ......333
Load index ..................................... 330
Load index (definition) ...................332
M+S tires ....................................... 312
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 332
Maximum load on a tire (definition) 332
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 332
Maximum tire loa d......................... 325
Maximum tire load (definition) .......332
MOExtended tires ..........................297
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 333
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 332
Replacing ....................................... 334
Service life ..................................... 312
Sidewall (definition) .......................333
Speed rating (definition) ................332Storing
........................................... 334
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 331
Summer tires ................................. 312
Temperature .................................. 327
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 333
Tire bea d(definition) ...................... 333
Tire pressure (definition) ................333
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 331
Tire size (data) ............................... 338
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 328
Tire tread ....................................... 311
Tire tread (definition) .....................333
Total load limit (definition) .............333
Traction ......................................... 326
Traction (definition) .......................333
Trea dwear ..................................... 326
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s...................................... 326
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s(definition) .................... 331
Unladen weight (definition) ............332
Wea rindicato r(definition) .............333
Whee lrim (definition ).................... 331
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 62
Towing Important safety guidelines ...........304
Installing the towing eye ................305
Removing the towing eye. ..............305
With the rear axle raised ................305
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......305
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............306
Important safety notes ..................304
Transfer case ..................................... 155
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................306
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .292
Trip computer (on-board computer) 201
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 201
Resetting (on-board computer) ......202
see Trip odometer 18
Index
Observe the loading guidelines (Y
page 256).
The left-hand and right-hand rear seat
backrests can be folded down separately to
increase the trunk capacity.
Folding the seat backrest forward X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
X Open the trunk.
X Pull right-hand or left-hand rear seat
backrest release handle 0002.
The corresponding rear seat backrest is
released.
X Fully insert the rear seat backrest head
restraints. X
Fold rear seat backrest 0003forwards.
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Folding the seat backrest back
X
Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
forward if necessary.
! Make sure that the seat belt does not
become trapped when folding the rear seat
backrest back. Otherwise, it could be
damaged.
X Fold rear seat backrest 0002back until it
engages.
If the rear seat backrest is not engaged and
locked, this will be shown in the
multifunction display in the instrument
cluster. Awarning tone also sounds.
i You should always engage the rear seat
backrests if you do no tneed the through-
loading feature. This will prevent
unauthorized access to the trunk from the
vehicle interior.
X Adjust the head restraints if necessary
(Y page 98).
X Move the driver's or front-passenger seat
back if necessary. Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings Observe the following notes on securing
loads:
R
Observe the loading guidelines
(Y page 256).
R Secure the load using the cargo tie-down
rings. Stowage areas
259Stowage and features Z
R
Lug wrench
R Towing eye Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Yourv ehicle may be equipped with:
R MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties) (Y page 297)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tires.
R a "Minispare" emergency spare wheel
R
R an emergency spare wheel (only for certain
countries) (Y page 342)
Information on changing/mounting a wheel
(Y page 334).
X Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 158).
X If possible, bring the fron twheels into the
straight-ahead position.
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 142).
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
General notes With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires. The affected
tire must not show any clearly visible damage.
You can recognize MOExtended tires by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
sidewall of the tire. You will find this marking
next to the tire size designation, the load-
bearing capacity and the speed index
(Y
page 328).
MOExtended tires may only be used in
conjunction with an active tire pressure loss
warning system or with an active tire pressure
monitor.
If the pressure loss warning message
appears in the multifunction display:
R Observe the instructions in the display
messages (Y page 236).
R Check the tire for damage.
R If driving on, observe the following notes.
The maximum driving distance is
approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the
vehicle is partially laden and approximately
18 miles (30 km) when the vehicle is fully
laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving
distance possible depends upon:
R Speed
R Road condition
R Outside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving Flat tire
297Breakdown assistance
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 lbs passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs (1 400 - 750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lbs).
X Step 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4.
X Step 6 (if applicable): If your vehicle will
be towing a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehicle. Refer to
this Operator's Manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle
(Y page 325). Loading the vehicle
323Wheels and tires Z
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete.
Atire 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 000Ain(4 mm) for all four winter
tires (Y page 312) to maintai nnormal 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
not covered with ice or snow. Take
appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train. Temperature
G
WARNING
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. These represent the tire's
resistance to the generatio nofheat 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 Ccorresponds 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
Overview of tire labeling
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name: 0002
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(Ypage 331)
0003 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 330)
0022 Maximum tire load (Y page 325)
0021 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 316)
001F Manufacturer
0020 Tire material (Y page 331)
0012 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Y page 328)
0013 Load index (Y page 330)
0014 Tire name
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. Tire labeling
327Wheels and tires Z
Tire size designation
,load-bearing
capacity and speed rating 0002
Tire width
0003 Nominal aspec tratio in %
0022 Tire code
0021 Rim diameter
001F Load bearing index
0020 Speed rating
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one lette rthat precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size
description (as shown above): these are
passenger vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire
pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width0002shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio0003is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent.T he aspectratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code:
tire code0022specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
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).
Rim diameter: rim diameter0021is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches (in).
Load-bearing index: load-bearing index001F
is a numerical code that specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum
permissible load can be found on the
vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Y page 321).
Example:
Load-bearing index 91 indicates a maximum
load of 1,356 lb (615 kg) that the tires can
bear. For further information on the maximum
tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(Y page 325).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 330).
Speed rating: speed rating0020specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire. G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing
capacity and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire bursting.
There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and 328
Tire labelingWheels and tires
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximu mgross 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 B-pillar on
the driver's side. Speed rating
The speed rating 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, the spare
wheel, accessories installed, occupants,
luggage and the drawbar noseweight, if
applicable.T he gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR
as specified on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar on the driver's side. 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 B-pillar on the
driver's side. Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is the sum of the curb
weight of the vehicle, the weight of the
accessories, the total load limit and the
weight of the optional equipment installed at
the factory. Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa
corresponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire
pressure is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the
equivalent of 1bar. Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, the load
index may also be imprinted on the sidewall
of the tire. This specifie sthe load-bearing
capacity more precisely. Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant. It also includes the air-
conditioning system and optional equipment
if these are installed in the vehicle, but does
not include passengers or luggage. Maximum load rating
The maximum load rating 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)
As tandard uni tofmeasure for tire pressure. 332
Definition of terms for tires and loadingWheels 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
parts 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 0008in
(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 kg
(150 lbs) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle. Definition of terms for tires and loading
333Wheels and tires Z