Step 3
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Permissible load
(maximumg
ross
vehicle weight rating
from the Tire and
Loading Information
placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0019750 lbs (340 kg) =
750 lbs (340 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0019540 lbs (245 kg)
=960 lbs (435 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
0019150 lbs (68 kg) =
1350 lbs (612 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo
carefully, you should still make sure tha tthe
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 409).
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. Trailer load/noseweight
The trailer load/noseweight affects 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 8% of the gross weight of the
trailer and its cargo. 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:
0002tread wear
grade, 0003traction grade and 0023temperature
grade. These regulations do not apply to
Canada.N evertheless, 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. All about wheels and tires
413Wheels and tires Z
Tire labeling
Overview 0002
Unifor mTire Quality Grading Standard
(Y page 419)
0003 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 418)
0023 Maximum tire load (Y page 417)
0022 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 404)
0020 Manufacturer
0021 Tire material (Y page 418)
0014 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Y page 415)
0015 Load index (Y page 417)
0016 Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in additio nto 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. Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
0002
Tire width
0003 Nominal aspect ratio in %
0023 Tire code
0022 Rim diameter
0020 Load bearing index
0021 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 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 aspect All about wheels and tires
415Wheels and tires Z
ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code:
tire code0023specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximu mspeed 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 diameter0022is 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 index0020
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 409).
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 417).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 417).
Speed rating: speed rating0021specifies 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) Index Speed rating
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y up to 186 mph (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 "ZR"
in the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR18).
The service specification is made up of
load-bearing index 0020and speed rating
0021.
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 servic especification.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97 Y.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).
R The size descriptio nfor 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. 416
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires
Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, the load
inde
xmay 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 tire load is the maximum
permissible weight in kilograms or lbs 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.
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. Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
R
if the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has been driven for less 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 kilograms (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. 420
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires
Models with: 0002
Opening
height 0003
Maximum
headroom Steel
suspension
86.4 in
(2195 mm) 78.2 in
(1987 mm) AIRMATIC
package
84.3 in -
87.2 in
(2140 mm - 2215 mm) 76.0 in -
79.0 in
(1931 mm - 2006 mm) ON&OFFROAD
package 84.3 in -
88.4 in
(2140 mm - 2245 mm) 76.0 in -
80.2 in
(1931 mm - 2036 mm) 0002
Opening
height 0003
Maximum
headroom AMG vehicles
84.6 in -
87.0 in
(2148 mm - 2211 mm) 76.5 in -
78.9 in
(1943 mm - 2004 mm) All models (except for
AMG vehicles)
Vehicle width including
exterior mirrors
84.3 in
(2141 mm) Maximum vehicle height
(steel suspension)
70.7 in
(1796 mm) Maximum vehicle height
(AIRMATIC package)
71.6 in
(1818 mm) Maximum vehicle height
(ON&OFFROAD package)
72.8 in
(1848 mm) Minimum vehicle height
(highway driving level)
69.2 in
(1758 mm) Wheelbase
114.8 in
(2915 mm) All models (except for
AMG vehicles)
Maximum ground
clearance (steel
suspension)
8.0 in
(202 mm) Maximum ground
clearance (AIRMATIC
package)
10.0 in
(255 mm) Maximum ground
clearance (ON&OFFROAD
package)
11.2 in
(285 mm) Minimum ground
clearance
(AIRMATIC package)
(ON&OFFROAD package)
7.1 in
(180 mm) Turning radius
38.7 ft
(11.80 m) Maximum roof load
220 lb
(100 kg) Model Vehicle
length ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
ML 350
ML 350 4MATIC
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
189.1 in
(4804 mm) ML 550 4MATIC
190.5 in
(4839 mm) ML 63 AMG 4MATIC
Vehicle length
189.6 in
(4817 mm) Vehicle width including
exterior mirrors
84.3 in
(2141 mm) Maximum vehicle height
71.4 in
(1815 mm) Minimum vehicle height
69.0 in
(1752 mm) Vehicle data
453Technical data Z