Get Wheels and tires -> Tire labeling Guide for Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2018-2026)

Wheels and tires

304

5

6

7

Manufacturer

Tire characteristics (/ page 307)

Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity,

Tire labeling

Overview of tire labeling

speed rating and load index (/ page 307)

Tire name

8

%

The data shown in the illustration is example

data.

Tire Quality Grading

1

2

3

Tread wear grade

Traction grade

Temperature grade

In accordance with the US Department of Trans-

portation's "Uniform Tire Quality Grading Stand-

ards", tire manufacturers are required to grade

their tires on the basis of the following three per-

formance factors:

%

The data shown in the illustration is example

data.

The classiꢀcation is not legally stipulated for

Canada, but it is generally stated.

Tread wear grade

1

2

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards

DOT (Department of Transportation), (TIN)

Tire Identiꢀcation Number

Maximum tire load (/ page 306)

Maximum tire pressure (/ page 306)

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating

based on the wear rate of the tire when tested

under controlled conditions on a speciꢀed govern-

ment test course. For example, a tire graded 150

would wear one and one-half (1\1/2\) times as

3

4

Wheels and tires

305

well on the government course as a tire graded

100.

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are

AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and exces-

high temperature can cause the material of the

ability to stop on wet pavement as measured

under controlled conditions on speciꢀed govern-

ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire

marked C may have poor traction performance.

sive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.

The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-

ance which all passenger car tires must meet

under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No.

109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of

performance on the laboratory test wheel than

the minimum required by law.

The relative performance of tires depends upon

the actual conditions of their use, however, and

may depart signiꢀcantly from the norm due to var-

iations in driving habits, service practices and dif-

ferences in road characteristics and climate.

Temperature grade

Traction grade

&

WARNING Risk of accident from tire over-

heating and tire failure

&

DANGER Risk of accident due to inade-

quate traction

DOT, Tire Identiꢀcattion Nummber (TIN)

Excessive speed, underinꢂation, or excessive

loading, either separately or in combination,

can cause excessive heat build-up and possi-

ble tire failure.

US tire regulations stipulate that every tire manu-

facturer or retreader must imprint a TIN in or on

the side wall of each tire produced.

The traction grade assigned to this tire is

based on straight-ahead braking traction

tests.

#

Observe the recommended tire pressure.

#

Always adapt your driving style and drive

at a speed to suit the prevailing traꢁc

and weather conditions.

#

Regularly check the pressure of all the

tires.

#

Adjust the tire pressure, if necessary.

*

NOTE Damage to the drivetrain from

wheelspin

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,

and C, representing the tire's resistance to the

generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat

when tested under controlled conditions on a

speciꢀed indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained

#

Avoid wheelspin.

Wheels and tires

306

%

The data shown in the image is example data.

Informattion on the maximum tire load

Speciꢀcattions ffoor maximum tire pressure

The TIN is a unique identiꢀcation number to iden-

tify tires and comprises the following:

R

DOT (Department of Transportation): tire sym-

bol marks 1 indicating that the tire complies

with the requirements of the US Department

of Transportation.

R

Manufacturer identiꢀcation code: manufac-

turer identiꢀcation code 2 contains details of

the tire manufacturer. New tires have a code

with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a code

with four symbols. Further information on

retreaded tires (/ page 311).

%

The data shown in the image is example data.

The data shown in the illustration is example

data.

Maximum tire load 1 is the maximum permissi-

ble weight for which the tire is approved.

R

Tire size: identiꢀer 3 describes the tire size.

Never exceed maximum tire pressure 1 speci-

ꢀed for the tire. Always observe the recommen-

ded tire pressure for your vehicle when adjusting

the tire pressure (/ page 295).

R

Tire type code: tire type code 4 can be used

by the manufacturer as a code to describe

speciꢀc characteristics of the tire.

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the speci-

ꢀed load limit. The maximum permissible load can

be found on the vehicle's Tire and Loading Infor-

mation placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side

(/ page 300).

R

Manufacturing date: manufacturing date 5

provides information about the age of a tire.

The 1st and 2nd positions represent the cal-

endar week and the 3rd and 4th positions

state the year of manufacture (e.g. "3208"

represents the 32nd week of 2008).

Wheels and tires

307

Informaation on tire characteeristics

Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity, speed

rating and load index

&

WARNING Risk of injury through exceed-

ing the speciꢀed tire load-bearing capa-

city or the permissible speed rating

Exceeding the speciꢀed tire load rating or the

permissible speed rating may lead to tire dam-

age and to the tires bursting.

#

Therefore, only use tire types and sizes

approved for your vehicle model.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

First letter(s)

Nominal tire width in millimeters

Aspect ratio in %

Tire code

#

%

The data shown in the image is example data.

Observe the tire load rating and speed

rating required for your vehicle.

This information describes the type of tire cord

and the number of layers in side wall 1 and

under tire tread 2.

Rim diameter

Load-bearing index

Speed rating

Load index

%

The data shown in the illustration is example

data.

Information about reading tire data can be

obtained from any qualiꢀed specialist workshop.

Wheels and tires

308

%

First letter(s) 1:

R

Without: passenger vehicle tires according to

Rim diameter 5:

An electronic speed limiter prevents your

vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130 mph

(210 km/h).

The diameter of the bead seat (not the diameter

of the rim ꢂange). The rim diameter is speciꢀed in

inches (in).

European manufacturing standards.

R

Make sure that your tires have the required speed

rating. You can obtain information on the required

speed rating from an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center.

"P": passenger vehicle tires according to US

manufacturing standards.

Load-beearing index 6:

R

"LT": light truck tires according to US manu-

facturing standards.

Numerical code that speciꢀes the maximum load-

bearing capacity of a tire (e.g. "91" corresponds

to 1356 lbs (615 kg)).

R

Summer tires

"T": compact emergency spare wheels with

high tire pressure that are only designed for

temporary use in an emergency.

The load-bearing capacity of the tire must be at

least half the gross axle weight rating of your vehi-

cle. Do not overload the tires by exceeding the

speciꢀed load limit.

Index

Speed rating

Q

R

S

T

up to 100 mph (160 km/h)

up to 106 mph (170 km/h)

up to 112 mph (180 km/h)

up to 118 mph (190 km/h)

up to 130 mph (210 km/h)

up to 149 mph (240 km/h)

up to 168 mph (270 km/h)

up to 186 mph (300 km/h)

Aspecct ratio 3:

Ratio between tire height and tire width in percent

(tire height divided by tire width).

Wheels and tires -> Tire labeling for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2018-2026)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals