
Average weight of the vehicle
occupants (definition) .................... 325
Bar (definition) ............................... 325
Changing a whee
l.......................... 327
Characteristics .............................. 324
Checking ........................................ 307
Curb weight (definition) ................. 326
Definition of terms ......................... 324
Direction of rotation ...................... 328
Display message ............................ 229
Distribution of the vehicle occu-
pants (definition) ............................ 327
DOT (Department of Transporta-
tion) (definition) ............................. 325
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................... 324
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 325
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) (defi-
nition) ............................................ 325
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) (def-
inition) ........................................... 325
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) (definition) .............................. 325
Important safety notes .................. 306
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ...... 325
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ........... 326
Labeling (overview) ........................ 321
Load bearing index (definition) ...... 327
Load index ..................................... 323
Load index (definition) ................... 326
Maximum load on a tire (defini-
tion) ............................................... 326
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 326
Maximum permissible tire pres-
sure (definition) ............................. 326
Maximum tire load ......................... 323
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 326
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 326
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ........................................... 326
Replacing ....................................... 327
Service life ..................................... 308
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 326
Speed rating (definition) ................ 325 Storing ........................................... 328
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 324
Technical data ............................... 331
Temperature .................................. 320
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 327
Tire bead (definition) ...................... 326
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 326
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 325
Tire size (data) ............................... 331
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity, speed rating .................... 321
Tire tread ....................................... 307
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 326
Total load limit (definition) ............. 327
Traction ......................................... 320
Traction (definition) ....................... 327
Tread wear ..................................... 320
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 327
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 319
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 325
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 327
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 325
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 55
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 301
Important safety notes .................. 298
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permissibl e.................... 347
Driving tip s.................................... 191
Lights display message .................. 218
Mounting dimensions .................... 346
Shift rang e..................................... 143
Trailer load s................................... 347
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 346
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 298
In the event of malfunctions .......... 300
With both axles on the ground ....... 299
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 299
Rear ............................................... 299 Index
17 

Number of seats
Maximum number of seats
:indicates the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
i The specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustra-
tion are examples. The number of seats is
vehicle-specific and can differ from the
details shown. The number of seats in your vehicle can be found on the Tire and Load-
ing Information placard. Determining the correct load limit
Step-by-step instructions The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
X Step 1: Locate the statement "The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information
placard.
X Step 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
X Step 3: Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX kilo-
grams or XXX lbs. X
Step 4: The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. Example: if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will be five
150 lbs passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lb s(1400 - 750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs).
X Step 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage load capa- city calculated in step 4.
X Step 6 (if applicable): If your vehicle will
be towing a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehicle. This
reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle (Y page 347). Loading the vehicle
317Wheels and tires Z 

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
Overview of tire labeling
:
Uniform tire Quality Grading Standard
(Y page 325)
; DOT tire Identification Number
(Ypage 324)
= Maximum tire load (Y page 323)
? Maximum tire pressures (Y page 312)
A Manufacturer
B Tire material (Y page 324)
C Tire size designation, load-bearing capa-
city and speed rating (Y page 321)
D Load identification (Y page 323)
E Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire in addition to the tire name (sales designa-
tion) and the manufacturer's name.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example. Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city 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. :
Tire width
; Height-width ratio in percentage
= Tire code
? Rim diameter
A Load bearing index
B Speed rating
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, a letter is imprinted into the tire
wall before the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size descrip-
tion (as shown above): these are passenger
vehicle tires according to European manufac-
turing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description:
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: light
truck tires according to U.S. manufacturing
standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire Tire labeling
321Wheels and tires Z 

pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width:shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: height-width ratio;is
the ratio between tire height and tire width.
The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the
tire width by the tire height. The resulting
quotient is given as a percentage.
Tire code: tire code=shows the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/ h)may have "ZR" in
the size description, depending on the man-
ufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter?is the diam-
eter of the bead seat, not the diameter of the
rim flange. The rim diameter is specified in
inches (in).
The load-bearing index: load-bearing index
A (also load index), is a code that contains
the maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissi-
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 316).
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 pounds, see
(Y page 323).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 323).
Speed rating: speed ratingBspecifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate 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 condi-
tions. i
Since 2009, tires in Europe which corre-
spond to the noise limitations of Directive
ECE-R 117 show an >>S<< (Sound) mark.
This identification follows the type approval number and has no connection with the
speed rating.
Summer tires Index Speed rating
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
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 Aand speed rating B.
R If the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service specifica-
tions, 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 ZR18 97 Y.In this exam-
ple, "97 Y" is the service specification. The letter "Y" represents the speed rating and 322
Tire labelingWheels and tires 

Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is the sum of:
R
the curb weight of the vehicle
R the weight of the accessories
R the load limit
R the weight of the factory installed optional
equipment
Kilopascal (kPa) Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa corre-
sponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire pressure
is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equiva-
lent of 1 bar.
Load index In addition to the load-bearing index, the load
index may also be imprinted on the sidewall of
the tire. This specifies the load-bearing capa- city more precisely.
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 notinclude passengers or luggage.
Maximum load rating The maximum load rating 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) 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 kilopascals
(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 not been driven further
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 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance 326
Tire labelingWheels and tires 

brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the accesso-
ries.
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.
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) The TWR specifies the maximum permissible
weight that the ball coupling of the trailer tow
hitch can support.
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 áin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit Nominal load and luggage load plus 150 lb
(68 kilograms) multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle. Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 292) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. Rotating the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions. The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are loca-
ted in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the elec- tronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-cialist workshop.
Rotating front and rear wheels of differing
dimensions can render the general operating permit invalid.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notices in the section on "Changing a
wheel and mounting a spare wheel"
(Y page 328).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you can rotate the wheels according to the inter-
vals in the tire manufacturer's warranty book
in your vehicle documents. If no warranty
book is available, the tires should be rotated Changing a wheel
327Wheels and tires Z 

rectly, the jack could tip over with the vehi-
cle raised.
R The jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed. It is not suited for per-
forming maintenance work under the vehi- cle.
R Avoid changing the wheel on uphill and
downhill slopes.
R Before raising the vehicle, secure it from
rolling away by applying the parking brake
and inserting wheel chocks. Never disen-
gage the parking brake while the vehicle is raised.
R The jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a
large, load-bearing underlay must be used.
On a slippery surface, a non-slip underlay
must be used, e.g. rubber mats.
R Do not use wooden blocks or similar
objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the
jack will not be able to achieve its load-
bearing capacity due to the restricted
height.
R Make sure that the distance between the
underside of the tires and the ground does
not exceed 1.2 in (3 cm).
R Never place your hands and feet under the
raised vehicle.
R Never lie under the raised vehicle.
R Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
R Never open or close a door or the tailgate
when the vehicle is raised.
R Make sure that no persons are present in
the vehicle when the vehicle is raised. X
Using lug wrench :, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one full turn. Do not unscrew the wheel bolts
completely. Pump lever
;
X Assemble the pump lever for the jack. It can
be found with the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 290). Changing a wheel
329Wheels and tires Z