2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Owner's Manual

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 you rvehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard (Y page 509). 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)Loading the vehicle
511Wheels and tires Z

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Step 3 Permissible load and
trailer load/
noseweight
(maximum
permissible load
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) -
15
0lbs (68 kg) =
1350 lbs
(612 kg) The higher the weight of all the occupants, the smaller the maximum load for luggage.
Further information can be found under "Towing atrailer" (Y page 512). 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 508).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the
gross weight of the vehicle, all passengers,
load and trailer load/noseweigh t(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).
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/noseweigh taffects 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 load.
You rMercedes-Benz has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and their
luggage. Mercedes-Benzd oes not
recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Maximum load rating
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 508). 512
Maximum load ratingWheels and tires

i
The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Maximum tire load 0002is the maximum
permissible weight for which the tire is
approved. 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 0002,
tire traction 0003, and heat resistance 0026. All
tires sold in North America are provided with
the corresponding quality class mark on the
sidewall of the tire, even though these
regulations do not apply to Canada. i
The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
For example: Tread wear Traction Temperature
200 AA A
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is acomparative 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 Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
513Wheels 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 500) 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
Tire labeling overview
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 518)
0003 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 517)
0026 Maximum tire load (Y page 512)
0025 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 504)
0023 Manufacturer
0024 Tire material (Y page 518)
0014 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
(Ypage 515)
0015 Load index (Y page 517)
0016 Tire name
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. 514
Tire labelingWheels and tires

Tire size designation
,load-bearing
capacity and speed rating 0002
Tire width
0003 Nominal aspec tratio in %
0026 Tire code
0025 Rim diameter
0023 Load bearing index
0024 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 code0026specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149mph (240km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter0025is 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 index0023
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 508).
Example:
Al oad-bearing index of 91 indicates a
maximum load of 1,356lb (615kg) that can be
carried by the tires. For further information on
the maximum tire load in kilograms and
pounds, see (Y page 512).
For further information on the load-bearing
index, see Load index (Y page 517).
Speed rating: speed rating0024specifies 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 Tire labeling
515Wheels and tires Z

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 specification is made up of
load-bearing index 0023and speed rating
0024.
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
25 up to 100mph (160 km/h)
T M+S
25 up to 118mph (190 km/h)
H M+S
25 up to 130mph (210 km/h)
V M+S
25 up to 149mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all tires with the M+S marking provide
the driving characteristics of winter tires.
In additio nto the M+S marking, winter tires
also have the 0001snowflake 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 snow traction, and were specially
developed for driving on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the following speeds:
R 130 mph (210 km/h):
-all vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
R 155 mph (250 km/h)
-S 63 AMG
- S 65 AMG
R 186 mph (300 km/h)
-S 63 AMG (Performanc ePackage)
- S63A MG with increased top speed
- S65A MG with increased top speed
The speed rating of tires mounted at the
factory may be higher than the maximum
speed that the electronic speed limiter
permits.
25 Or M+S0001 for winter tires.516
Tire labelingWheels and tires

Make sure that your tires have the required
speed rating for your vehicle as specified in
the "Tires" section (Y page 521), e.g. if you
buy new tires.
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop. Load index
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
In addition to the load bearing index, load
index 0002may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed rating 0024(Ypage 515) on
the sidewall of the tire.
R If no specification is 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 DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every
manufacturer of new tires or retreader has to
imprint a TIN in or on the sidewall of each tire
produced. The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers 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
0003, tire size0026, tire type
code 0025and manufacturing date 0023.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol 0002indicates that the tire complies
with the requirements of the U.S. Department
of Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code 0003provides
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 498).
Tire size: identifier0026describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code0025can be
used by the manufacturer as a code to
describe specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
0023 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. Tire labeling
517Wheels and tires Z

Tire characteristics
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate fro mthe data in the example.
This information describes the tire cord and
the number of layers in sidewall 0002and under
the tread 0003. Definition of terms for tires and
loading
Tire 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 the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lb). Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Au niform 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 Informatio nplacard
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 equipmen tavailable for the
vehicle, regardless of whethe ritis actually
installed on the vehicle or not. Rim
This is the part of the wheel on which the tire
is mounted. 518
Definition of terms for tires and loadingWheels and tires