2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS wheel

Example: steps1to3
The followingtable showsexamples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with
varying seating configurations and number and sizeofoccupants. The followingexamples use
amaximum load of 1500 lbs (680kg).This is forillustration purposes only.Make sure you
are using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard (Ypage 345).
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Step 1
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo(datafrom
theTireand Loading
Information placard)
1500lbs (680 kg)1500lbs (680 kg)1500lbs (680 kg)
Step 2
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Number of people in
thevehicle (driver
and occupants)
531
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)
348Loading thevehicle
Wheels and tires

Step 3
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Permissible load
(maximumgross
vehicle weight rating
fromthe Tire and
Loading Information
placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants)
1500 lbs(680kg)
"750 lbs(340kg) =
750 lbs(340kg)
1500 lbs(680kg)
"540 lbs(245kg)
=960 lbs(435kg)
1500 lbs(680kg)
"150 lbs(68 kg) =
1350 lbs(612kg)
Vehicle identificationplate
Even if youhavecalculatedthe totalcargo
carefully, youshouldstill make sure thatthe
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
(Ypage 345).
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).
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 wheelsand tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are
U.S. governmentspecifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliableinformation 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.
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Wheels and tires
Z

Example:
RTreadweargrade:200
RTractiongrade:AA
RTemperature grade:A
All passengercar tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in additionto
these grades.
iTheactual values for tires arevehicle-
specificand maydeviate from the values in
the illustration.
Treadwear
The treadweargrade isacomparative rating
based on the wearrate of thetirewhen tested
undercontrolled conditions onaspecified
U.S. government course. For example,atire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
The relative performanceoftires 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
GWARNING
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 onawet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete.Atire markedCmay have poor
traction performance.
The safe speed onawet, snowcovered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezingpoint.
Mercedes-Benzrecommendsaminimum
tread depthofin(4mm)onall four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Ypage335). 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 informationonwinter tires (M+S
tires) (Ypage336).
Temperature
GWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established foratire 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 areA(the highest),
B, and C. Theserepresent the tire's
resistancetothe generationofheat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions onaspecified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerateand reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The gradeCcorresponds toalevel
of performancewhich all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. GradesBand A
represent higher levels of performanceonthe
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
350All about wheelsand tires
Wheels and tires

Tire labeling
Overview
UniformTire QualityGrading Standard
(Ypage 355)
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 354)
$Maximum tireload (Ypage 353)
!Maximum tirepressure (Ypage 340)
Manufacturer
%Tire material (Ypage 354)
Tire size designation,load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Ypage 351)
Load index (Ypage 353)
Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in additiontothe tire name (sales
designation) and the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
GWARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing
capacity and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire bursting.
There isarisk 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.
Tire width
Nominal aspect ratio in %
$Tire code
!Rim diameter
Load bearing index
%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 manufacturingstandards.
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 widthshows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio:aspect ratiois the size ratio
between the tire height and tire width and is
shown in percent.The aspect ratio is
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Wheels and tires
Z

calculatedbydividing the tire width by the tire
height.
Tire code:tire code$specifies the tire type.
"R"represents radialtires; "D" represents
diagonaltires; "B" represents diagonalradial
tires.
Optionally, tireswithamaximum speed of
over149 mph (240 km/h)may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter:rim diameter!is the
diameter of the beadseat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches(in).
Load-bearingindex:load-bearing index
isanumericalcode that specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity ofatire.
Do not overload the tiresbyexceedingthe
specified load limit. The maximum
permissibleload can be found on the
vehicle's Tireand LoadingInformation
placard on theB-pillar on thedriver's side
(Ypage 345).
Example:
Load-bearingindex 91 indicatesamaximum
load of 1356 lb (615kg)that thetires can
bear.Forfurther information on themaximum
tireload in kilograms and lbs, see
(Ypage 353).
For further informationontheload bearing
index,see "Load index"(Ypage 353).
Speed rating:speedrating%specifiesthe
approved maximum speedofthetire.
iTire dataisvehicle-specific and may
deviate from thedataintheexample.
Regardless of thespeedrating,always
observethespeedlimits. Drive carefullyand
adapt your driving style to thetraffic
conditions.
Summer tires
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100mph (160km/h)
Rup to 106mph (170km/h)
IndexSpeed rating
Sup to 112mph (180km/h)
Tup to 118mph (190km/h)
Hup to 130mph (210km/h)
Vup to 149mph (240km/h)
Wup to 168mph (270km/h)
Yup to 186mph (300km/h)
ZR...Yup to 186mph (300km/h)
ZR...(..Y)over186mph (300km/h)
ZRover149mph (240km/h)
ROptionally, tires withamaximum speedof
over149mph (240km/h) may have "ZR"
in thesizedescription,dependingonthe
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR18).
The servicespecificationismade up of
load-bearing indexand speed rating
%.
RIf 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.
Ifaservice specification is available, the
maximum speed is limited according to the
speed rating in the service specification.
Example: 245/40ZR18 97Y.In this
example, "97 Y" is the service specification.
The letter "Y" represents the speed rating.
The maximum speed of the tire is limited to
186 mph (300 km/h).
RThe size descriptionfor all tires with
maximum speeds of over 186 mph
(300 km/h) must include "ZR",andthe
service specification must be given in
parentheses. Example:
275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). 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.
352All about wheelsand tires
Wheels and tires

All-weather tires and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1up to 100mph (160km/h)
TM+S1up to 118mph (190km/h)
HM+S1up to 130mph (210km/h)
VM+S1up to 149mph (240km/h)
iNot all tires withtheM+S markingprovide
thedriving characteristics of wintertires.
In addition to theM+S marking, wintertires
also have thesnowflake symbol on
the tirewall. Tires with this marking fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding the tiretraction on snow. They
have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
An electronic speed limiter preventsyour
vehicle fromexceeding the following speeds:
Rallvehicles (exceptAMG vehicles):
130 mph (210 km/h)
RAMG vehicles: 155 mph (250 km/h)
RAMG vehicles with PerformancePackage:
186 mph (300 km/h)
R
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 (Ypage 362).
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, load
indexmay be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed index%on the sidewall
of the tire (Ypage 351).
RIf no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), representsastandard
load (SL)tire
RXL or Extra Load: representsareinforced
tire
RLightLoad: representsalight load tire
RC, D, E: representsaload range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry atacertain pressure
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Maximumload rating
Maximum tire loadis the maximum
permissible weight for which the tire is
approved.
1Or M+Sfor winter tires.
All about wheelsand tires353
Wheels and tires
Z

Do not overloadthe tires by exceeding the
specifiedloadlimit.Themaximum
permissibleloadcan be found on the
vehicle'sTireand Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Ypage 345).
iTheactual values for tires arevehicle-
specific and maydeviate fromthe values in
the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprintaTIN
in or on the sidewall of every tire produced.
The TIN isauniqueidentification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or
retreaders to inform purchasers of recallsand
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$,tire type
code!and manufacturing date.
DOT (Department of Transportation):tire
symbolindicates that the tire complies
with the requirements of the U.S. Department
of Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification codeprovides
detailsonthe tire manufacturer. New tires
haveacode with two symbols. Retreaded
tires haveacode with four symbols.
For further information aboutretreaded tires,
see (Ypage 334).
Tiresize:identifier$describes the tire size.
Tiretypecode:tire type code!can be used
by the manufacturer asacode to describe
specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture:date of manufacture
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,atire that is marked with
"3208", was manufactured in week 32 in
2008.
iTire 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
sidewalland under tire tread.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Definition of termsfor 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
354All about wheelsand tires
Wheels and tires

100 kilopascals (kPa)are the equivalent of
1bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of
the United States Department of
Transportation.
Normal occupant weight
The numberofoccupants for which the
vehicleisdesigned multipliedby
68 kilograms (150 lb).
Uniform Tire Quality GradingStandards
Auniform standard to grade the quality of
tireswithregards to treadquality,tire traction
and temperaturecharacteristics. Ratingsare
determinedbytire manufacturersusing U.S.
government testing procedures. The ratings
aremoldedinto the sidewall of the tire.
Recommendedtire pressure
The recommendedtire pressure appliesto
the tiresmounted at the factory.
The Tire and Loading Informationplacard
containsthe recommendedtirepressures for
cold tires onafully loaded vehicle and for the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
The tirepressure table containsthe
recommendedpressures for cold tires for
various operating conditions, i.e. differing
load and speed conditions.
Increased vehicle weight duetooptional
equipment
This is the combined weight of all standard
and optional equipmentavailablefor the
vehicle, regardless of whetheritisactually
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.
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 drawbarnoseweight, if
applicable. The 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 ofafully 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.
Maximumloaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is thesum of:
Rthecurbweight of thevehicle
Rtheweight of theaccessories
Rtheload limit
Rtheweight of thefactory installedoptional
equipment
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tirepressure. 6.9kPa
correspondsto1psi. Another unit for tire
pressure is bar. Thereare 100kilopascals
(kPa) to1bar.
Load index
In addition to theload-bearing index,theload
index may also be imprinted on thesidewall
of thetire. This specifiesthe load-bearing
capacity more precisely.
All about wheels and tires355
Wheels and tires
Z