Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total load care-
fully, you should still make sure that the permis-
sible gross weight and the gross axle weight rat-
ing of your vehicle are not exceeded. This data
can be found on the vehicle identification plate
on the B-pillar of your vehicle (
Ypage 303).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the gross
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, load and
trailer load/noseweight (if applicable) must not
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating: the maximum per-
missible load 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, occu-
pants, load, 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 10%
of the gross weight of the trailer and its load.
What you should know about wheels
and tires
Tire labeling
Tire labeling
:DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 293)
;Maximum tire load (Ypage 293)
=Maximum tire pressure (Ypage 284)
?Manufacturer
ATire material (Ypage 294)
BTire size designation, load-bearing capacity
and speed index (Ypage 291)
CTire name
The markings described above are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation) and
the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load bearing index
and speed index
GWARNING
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
What you should know about wheels and tires291
Wheels and tires
Z
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
:Tire width
;Nominal aspect ration in %
=Tire code
?Rim diameter
ALoad bearing index
BSpeed index
Tire width: tire width:shows the nominal tire
width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio: aspect ratio;is the size ratio
between the tire height and tire width and is
shown in percent. The aspect ratio is calculated
by dividing the tire width by the tire height.
Tire code: tire code=specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents diag-
onal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial tires.
Rim diameter: rim diameter?is 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 indexAis 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 (
Ypage 288).
Example:
The load-bearing index 101 indicates a maxi-
mum load of 1819 lb (825 kg) for the tire. If two load-bearing indices are specified, the first num-
ber specifie s th
e load-bearing capacity for single
tires, the second the load-bearing capacity for
twin tires. For further information on the maxi-
mum tire load in kilograms and pounds, see
(
Ypage 293). For further information on the load-bearing
index, see "Load index" (
Ypage 293).
Speed rating: speed ratingBspecifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
Regardless of the speed index always observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt your
driving style to the traffic conditions.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)
Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)
Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)
Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
iNot all tires that have the M+S identification
offer the driving characteristics of winter
tires. In addition to the M+S marking, winter
tires also have the isnowflake symbol on
the tire wall. Tires with this marking fulfill the
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) and the Rubber Associa-
tion of Canada (RAC) regarding the tire trac-
tion on snow. They have been especially
developed for driving on snow.
Further information on the reading of tire infor-
mation can be obtained at any qualified special-
ist workshop.
292What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight of
the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
accessories installed, occupants, luggage and
the drawbar noseweight if applicable. The gross
vehicle weight must never exceed the permissi-
ble gross weight (GVWR) specified on the
B-pillar on the driver's side (
Ypage 303).
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is the maximum permitted gross
weight of the fully laden vehicle (weight of the
vehicle including all accessories, occupants,
fuel, luggage and the drawbar noseweight if
applicable). The permissible gross weight is
specified on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side (
Ypage 303).
Maximum weight of the laden vehicle
The maximum weight is the sum of:
Rthe curb weight of the vehicle
Rthe weight of the accessories
Rthe load limit
Rthe weight of the factory installed optional
equipment
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa are the
equivalent of 1 psi. Another tire pressure unit is
bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equivalent of
1 bar.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, a load
index can be stamped onto the sidewall of the
tire. It specifies the load-bearing capacity of the
tire more precisely.
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equipment
including the maximum filling capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning system and optional equipment if these
are installed on the vehicle, but does not include
passengers or luggage.
Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or pounds is
the maximum weight 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)
Standard unit of measurement for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and width in
percent.
Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's surface.
Tire pressure is specified in pounds per square
inch (psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in bar. Tire pres-
sure should only be corrected when the tires are
cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours without direct sunlight on the
tires, and
Rif the vehicle has not been driven further than
1 mile (1.6 km)
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact with
the road.
Tire 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
tire 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, a roof rack or a high-performance bat-
tery, are not included in the curb weight and theweight of the accessories.
What you should know about wheels and tires295
Wheels and tires
Z
The dimensions specified vary according to:
RTires
RLoad
RCondition of the suspension
ROptional equipment
ModelCargo Van
Opening height of the
tailgate:86.0 in (2185 mm)
Opening range of the
tailgate;41.2 in (1047 mm)
Opening range of the
rear doors =33.4 in (849 mm)
Load width50.0 in (1270 mm)
Max. load width66.3 in (1685 mm)
Load height53.8 in (1367 mm)
Vehicle length202.4 in
(5140 mm)
Vehicle width
Including exterior mir-
rors
Excluding exterior mir-
rors
88.3 in (2244 mm)
75.9 in (1928 mm)
Wheelbase126.0 in
(3200 mm)
ModelPassenger Vans
Opening height of the
tailgate :84.6 in (2150 mm)
Opening range of the
tailgate;41.2 in (1047 mm)
Opening range of the
rear doors =33.4 in (849 mm)
Load width47.4 in (1205 mm)
Max. load width61.1 in (1552 mm)
Load height52.2 in (1326 mm)
Vehicle length202.4 in
(5140 mm)
ModelPassenger Vans
Vehicle width
Including exterior mir-
rors
Excluding exterior mir-
rors
88.3 in (2244 mm)
75.9 in (1928 mm)
Wheelbase126.0 in
(3200 mm)
Cargo tie-down points and carrier sys-
tems
Cargo tie-down points
General notes
!Observe the information on the maximum
loading capacity of the individual cargo tie-
down points.
If you use several cargo tie-down points to
secure a load, you must always take the max-
imum loading capacity of the weakest cargo
tie-down point into account.
If you brake hard, for example, the forces act-
ing could be up to several times the weight
force of the load. Always use multiple cargo
tie-down points in order to distribute the force absorption. Load the anchorages evenly.
You will find additional information about cargo
tie-down points and cargo tie-down rings in the
"Securing loads" section (
Ypage 244).
Cargo tie-down rings
The maximum tensile load of the cargo tie-down
rings is:
Cargo tie-down
ringsPermissible nomi- nal tensile load
Passenger Vans786.5 lbf
(350 daN)
Cargo Van1124.0 lbf (500 daN)
312Vehicle data
Technical data