Maximum tire load:is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
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 (
Ypage 292).
iThe actual values for tires are vehicle-spe-
cific and may deviate from the values in the
illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
US tire regulations stipulate that every tire man-
ufacturer 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 retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifica-
tion code ;, tire size =, tire type code ?and
manufacturing date A.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol :marks that the tire complies with the
requirements of the U.S. Department of Trans-
portation.
Manufacturer identification code: manufac-
turer identification code ;provides 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 (
Ypage 306).
Tire size: identifier=describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code?can be used by
the manufacturer as a code to describe specific
characteristics of the tire. Date of manufacture:
date of manufactureA
provides information about the age of a tire. The
first and second positions represent the week of
manufacture, starting with "01" for the first cal-
endar 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.
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 sidewall :and
under tire tread ;.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
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 pounds
per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals (kPa)
are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT-marked tires fulfill the requirements of the
U S Department of Transportation.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants for which the vehicle
is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms (150 lbs).
All about wheels and tires299
Wheels and tires
Z
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 out-
ward force to each square inch of the tire's sur-
face. 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:
Rif the vehicle has been parked with the tires
out of direct sunlight for at least three hours
and
Rif 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 fromthe 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
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-per-
formance 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 pur-
chasers. The TIN is made up of the manufactur-
er'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 capa-
city 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 distrib-
uted 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 68 kg
(150 lbs) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Ypage 266) contains information and notes on
how to deal with a flat tire. Information on driv-
ing with MOExtended tires in the event of a flat
tire can be found under "MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics" (
Ypage 267).
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
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 located
in the wheel.
Changing a wheel301
Wheels and tires
Z
Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
You can ask for information regarding permittedwheel/tire combinations at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
You should regularly check the pressure of the
emergency spare wheel, particularly prior to
long trips, and correct the pressure as neces-
sary (
Ypage 285). The value on the wheel is
valid.
!For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use tires and wheels
which have been approved by Mercedes-Benz
specifically for your vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS or
ESP
®, and are marked as follows:
RMO = Mercedes-Benz Original
RMOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
RMO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only cer-
tain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires may
only be used on wheels that have been spe-
cifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Certain
characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle noise
emissions or fuel consumption, may other-
wise be adversely affected. In addition, when
driving with a load, tire dimension variations
could cause the tires to come into contact
with the bodywork and axle components. This
could result in damage to the tires or the vehi- cle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for dam-
age resulting from the use of tires, wheels or
accessories other than those tested and
approved.
Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
!Retreaded tires are neither tested nor rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz, since previ-
ous damage cannot always be detected on
retreaded tires. As a result, Mercedes-Benz
cannot guarantee vehicle safety if retreaded
tires are mounted. Do not mount used tires if
you have no informa tion a
bout their previous
usage. The recommended pressures for various oper-
ating conditions can be found:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table in the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire pres-
sures under various operating conditions
(
Ypage 285).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the maintenance
recommendations of the tire manufacturer in
the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always equip
the vehicle:
Rwith tires of the same size on a given axle (left
and right)
Rwith the same type of tire (summer tires,
MOExtended tires, winter tires)
Exception: it is permissible to install a differ-
ent type or make in the event of a flat tire.
Observe the "MOExtended tires (tires with
run-flat characteristics" section (
Ypage 267).
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 qualified specialist workshop.
306Wheel and tire combinations
Wheels and tires
Information regarding technical data
i
The dat astate dher especifically refers to a
vehicl ewit hstandard equipment. Consult an
authorize dMercedes-Ben zCente rfor th e
dat afor all vehicl evariants and trim levels.
Vehicle electronics
Installing two-way radios and mobile
phones (RF transmitters)
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from modifie d
or incorrectl yretrofitte dRF-transmitters can
interfere wit hth evehicl eelectronics .This can
compromise th eoperational safet yof th e
vehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
You should hav eall wor kto electrical and
electronic equipmen tcarried out at aqualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNIN G
The electromagneti cradiation from incor-
rectl yoperate dRF transmitters can interfere
wit hth evehicl eelectronics ,for example:
Rif th eRF transmitte ris no tconnecte dwit h
an exterio rantenna
Rth eexterio rantenna has been installed
incorrectl yor is no t alow-reflection typ e
This can compromise th eoperational safet y
of th evehicle. Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Hav eth elow-reflection exterio rantenna
mounte dat aqualified specialist workshop.
When operating RF transmitters in th evehi-
cle ,always connec tthem wit hth elow-reflec -
tion exterio rantenna.
!The operating permit may be invalidated if
th einstruction sfor installation and use of RF
transmitters are no tobserved. In particular, th
efollowin gcondition smust be
complied with:
Ronly approve dwavebands may be used.
Robserv eth emaximum permissible output
in these wavebands.
Ronly approve dantenna position smay be
used.
Excessiv elevels of electromagneti cradiation
may caus edamag eto your healt hand th ehealt h
of others. Using an exterio rantenna takes int o
accoun tcurren tscientific discussion srelating
to th epossible healt hhazards that may result
from electro
magneti
cfields.
Approved antenna position s
:
Fron troo farea
;Rear roo farea
=Rear fender
?Trun klid
iOn vehicles wit hpanoram aroo fwit hpower
tilt/slidin gpanel, installin gan antenna to th e
fron tor rear roo farea is no tpermitted.
On th erear fenders, it is recommended to
position th eantenna on th eside of th evehicl e
closes tto th ecenter of th eroad .
Use th eTechnical Specification ISO/TS 2160 9
when retrofitting RF transmitters (Road Vehicles
- EM Cguidelines for installation of aftermarket
radi ofrequency transmitting equipment) .
Observ eth elegal requirements for accessory
parts.
If your vehicl ehas installation sfor two-way radi o
equipment, use th epower suppl yor antenna
connection sintended for use wit hth ebasic wir-
ing .Be sur eto observ eth emanufacturer' sSup -
plemen twhen installing.
Deviation swit hrespec tto frequency bands,
maximum transmission output sor antenna
position smust be approve dby Mercedes-Benz.
Vehicle electronics307
Technical data
Z