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 depthof in(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