Page 377 of 420

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 riding
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: at a sum “XXX” of
1400 lbs and five occupants each weighing
150 lbs, 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. That weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4. Example: steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples on how
to calculate total and cargo load capacities
with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. The following
examples use a load limit of
1500 lbs
(680 kg). This is for illustration purposes
only. Make sure you are using the actual load
limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's
Tire and Loading Information placard
(Y page 373).
The higher the weight of all the occupants, the
smaller the maximum load for luggage. Step 1 Exampl
e 1 Exampl
e 2 Exampl
e 3
Combin
ed
maximu
m
weight
of
occupa
nts and
cargo
(data
from
the Tire
and
Loading
Informa
tion
placard)
1500 lbs
(680 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Step 2
Exampl
e 1 Exampl
e 2 Exampl
e 3
Number
of
people
in the
vehicle
(driver
and
occupa
nts)
5 3 1
Distribu
tion of
the
occupa
nts
Front: 2
Rear: 3 Front: 1
Rear: 2 Front: 1Loading the vehicle
375
Wheels and tires Z
Page 378 of 420

Exampl
e 1 Exampl
e 2 Exampl
e 3
Weight
of the
occupa
nts
Occupan
t 1:
150 lbs
(68 kg)
Occupan
t 2:
180 lbs
(82 kg)
Occupan
t 3:
160 lbs
(73 kg)
Occupan
t 4:
140 lbs
(63 kg)
Occupan
t 5:
120 lbs
(54 kg) Occupan
t 1:
200 lbs
(91 kg)
Occupan
t 2:
190 lbs
(86 kg)
Occupan
t 3:
150 lbs
(68 kg) Occupan
t 1:
150 lbs
(68 kg)
Gross
weight
of all
occupa
nts
750 lbs
(340 kg) 540 lbs
(245 kg) 150 lbs
(68 kg) Step 3
Exampl
e 1 Exampl
e 2 Exampl
e 3
Permiss
ible
load
(maxim
um
gross
vehicle
weight
rating
from
the Tire
and
Loading
Informa
tion
placard
minus
the
gross
weight
of all
occupa
nts)
1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Ò750 lbs
(340 kg)
=
750 lbs
(340 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Ò540 lbs
(245 kg)
=
960 lbs
(435 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Ò150 lbs
(68 kg) =
1350 lbs
(612 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total load
carefully, you should still make sure that the
gross
vehicle weight rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle
(Y page 373).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the
gross weight of the vehicle, all passengers,
load and trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not exceed the permissible
gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating: the maximum
permissible weight that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle). 376
Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires
Page 379 of 420

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.
All about wheels and tires
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
grade, ; traction grade and = temperature
grade. 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.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
Example:
R Treadwear grade: 200
R Traction grade: AA
R Temperature grade: A All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
i
The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific
and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
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.
! Avoid
wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
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
freezing point. All about wheels and tires
377Wheels and tires Z
Page 380 of 420

Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread
depth of ã in (4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Y page 363). Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than
on surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) (Y page 364).
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 generation 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, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The 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
Overview :
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(Y page 382)
; DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Y page 381)
= Maximum tire load ( Y page 381)
? Maximum tire pressure (Y page 368)
A Manufacturer
B Tire material ( Y page 382)
C Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index
(Y page 378)
D Load index ( Y page 381)
E Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales
designation) and the manufacturer's name.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating 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. 378
All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
Page 381 of 420

Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved
for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle. :
Tire width
; Nominal aspect ratio in %
= Tire code
? Rim diameter
A Load bearing index
B Speed rating
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one
letter that 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 width : shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio ; is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent. The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire
code: tire code = specifies 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 a “ZR”
in the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter ? is 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 index A
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 373).
Example:
The load bearing index 91 is equivalent to a
maximum load of 1356 lb (615 kg) that the
tire can carry. For further information on the
maximum tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(Y page 381).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" ( Y page 381).
Speed rating: speed rating B specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the traffic
conditions.
Summer tires Index Speed rating
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)All about wheels and tires
379
Wheels and tires Z
Page 382 of 420

Index Speed rating
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(..Y) over 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR over 149 mph (240 km/h)
R
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over
149 mph (240 km/h) may have a “ZR”
in the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR18).
The service specification is made up of
load-bearing index A and speed rating
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 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 Every tire that has a maximum speed of
more than 186 mph (300 km/h) must have
a "ZR" in the size description and the
service specification must be given in
parentheses. Example:
275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). The speed rating "(Y)"
indicates that the maximum speed of the
tire is over 186 mph (300 km/h). Ask the tire manufacturer about the maximum
speed.
All-weather tires and winter tires Index Speed rating
Q M+S
4 up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S
4 up to 118mph (190 km/h)
H M+S
4 up to 130mph (210 km/h)
V M+S
4 up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not
all tires with the M+S marking provide
the driving characteristics of winter tires.
In addition to the M+S marking, winter tires
also have the i snowflake symbol on
the tire wall. 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 the following speeds:
R all vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
130 mph (210 km/h)
R AMG vehicles: 155 mph (250 km/h)
R AMG vehicles with Performance Package
(Wagon): 174 mph (280 km/h)
R AMG vehicles with Performance Package
(Sedan): 186 mph (300 km/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 389).
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
4 Or M+S i for winter tires.380
All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
Page 383 of 420

Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, load
index : may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed index B on the sidewall
of the tire (Y page 378).
R If
no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Light Load: 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.
Maximum load rating Maximum tire load
: is the maximum
permissible weight for which the tire is
approved.
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 373).
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every tire
manufacturer
or retreader must imprint a TIN
in or on the sidewall of every tire produced. The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or
retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and
other safety-relevant matters. It makes it
possible for the purchaser to easily identify
the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of 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 U.S. Department
of Transportation.
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.
For further information about retreaded tires,
see ( Y page 362).
Tire size: identifier = describes the tire size. All about wheels and tires
381
Wheels and tires Z
Page 384 of 420

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.
Tire characteristics This information describes the type of tire
cord and the number of layers in
sidewall
: and under tire tread ;.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Definition
of terms for tires and loadingTire ply composition and material used
Describes
the number of plies or the number
of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire
tread and sidewall. These are made of steel,
nylon, polyester and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure.
14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) and
100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equivalent of
1 bar. DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of
the United States Department of
Transportation.
Normal occupant weight
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 regards to tread quality, tire traction
and temperature characteristics. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using U.S.
government testing procedures. The ratings
are molded into the sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
The recommended tire pressure applies to
the tires mounted at the factory.
The Tire and Loading Information placard
contains the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires on a fully loaded vehicle and for the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the
recommended pressures for cold tires for
various operating conditions, i.e. differing
load and speed conditions.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment
This is 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.
Rim
This is 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 B-pillar on
the driver's side. 382
All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires