ble load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (Y page 372).
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) US tire regulations stipulate that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must 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 or retread- ers to inform purchasers of recalls and other
safety-relevant matters. It makes it possible
for the purchaser to easily identify the affec-
ted tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifi-
cation code 0044, tire size0087, tire type code 0085
and manufacturing date 0083.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol 0043marks that the tire complies with
the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code: manu-
facturer identification code 0044provides
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: identifier0087describes the tire size. Tire type code:
tire type code0085can be used
by the manufacturer as a code to describe
specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
0083 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 devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics This information describes the type of tire
cord and the number of layers in sidewall
0043
and under tire tread 0044.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
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 poundsper square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals
(kPa) are the equivalent of 1 bar. All about wheels and tires
381Wheels and tires Z
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equip-
ment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning 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 per-
missible 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)
A standard unit of measure 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 (5lbs).
These optional extras, such as high-perform-
ance brakes, level control, a roof rack or a
high-performance battery, are not included in the curb weight and the weight of the acces-
sories.
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.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are dis-
tributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread is level with the bars, the wear limit of 00CDin
(1.6 mm) has been re ached. All about wheels and tires
383Wheels and tires Z
wheels or accessories other than those tes-
ted and approved.
Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop.
Overview of abbreviations used in the follow- ing tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of the
fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating conditions (Y page 366).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when the tires are cold. Comply with the mainte-
nance recommendations of the tire manufac-
turer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
R the same type of tires at a given time (sum-
mer tires, winter tires, MOExtended tires)
i Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires
are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the
factory. It is therefore recommended that
you additionally equip your vehicle with a
TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may be obtained from a quali- fied specialist workshop.
i Not all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
i On the following pages, you can find infor-
mation on approved wheel rims and tire
sizes for equipping your vehicle with winter tires. Winter tires are not available at the
factory as standard equipment or optional
extras.
If you would like to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, you may also, in cer-
tain circumstances, require rims of the
appropriate size. The size of the approved
winter tires may deviate from that of the
standard tires. This is dependent on the
model and the equipment installed at the
factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop. 390
Wheel and tire combinationsWheels and tires
Emergency spare wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The wheel or tire size as well as the tire type of the spare wheel or emergency spare wheel
and the wheel to be replaced may differ.
Mounting an emergency spare wheel may
severely impair the driving characteristics.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
R adapt your driving style accordingly and
drive carefully.
R never mount more than one spare wheel or
emergency spare wheel that differs in size.
R only use a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size briefly.
R do not switch ESP ®
off.
R have a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
Observe that the wheel and tire dimensions
as well as the tire type must be correct.
When using an emergency spare wheel or
spare wheel of a different size, you must not
exceed the maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Snow chains must not be mounted on emer-
gency spare wheels. General notes
You should regularly check the pressure of
the emergency spare wheel, particularly prior
to long trips, and correct the pressure as nec-
essary (Y page 366). The value on the wheel is
valid. In addition, the emergency spare wheel
tire pressure can be found under "Technical
data" (Y page 407).
An emergency spare wheel may also be
mounted against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limitation specified on the emer-
gency spare wheel. Replace the tires after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
emergency spare wheel.
i When you are driving with the emergency
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
monitor cannot function reliably. Only
restart the tire pressure monitor when the
defective wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
If an emergency spare wheel is mounted,
the system may continue to show the tire
pressure of the wheel that has been
removed for a few minutes. The value dis-
played for the mounted emergency spare
wheel is not the same as the current tire
pressure of the emergency spare wheel. "Minispare" emergency spare wheel/
collapsible spare wheel
Opening the stowage well Sedan:
the emergency spare wheel can be
found in the stowage well under the trunk
floor.
X Lift the trunk floor upwards (Y page 306).
Wagon: the emergency spare wheel is loca-
ted in the stowage well under the cargo com-
partment floor.
X Lift the cargo compartment floor up.
Removing the emergency spare wheel
(Sedan) Example: Sedan404
Emergency spare wheelWheels and tires