Get Wheels and tires -> Tire labeling Guide for Mercedes GLA SUV First Generation (2013-2019)

Temperature

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is estab-

lished for a tire that is properly inflated and

not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-

tion, or excessive loading, either separately or

in combination, can cause excessive heat

build-up and possible tire failure.

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

and C. These represent the tire's resistance

to the generation of heat and its ability to dis-

sipate heat when tested under controlled

conditions on a specified indoor laboratory

test wheel. Sustained high temperature can

cause the material of the tire to degenerate

and reduce tire life, and excessive tempera-

ture can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade

C corresponds to a level of performance

which all passenger car tires must meet under

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

The following markings are on the tire in addition to

the tire name (sales designation) and the manu-

facturer's name:

Uniform tire Quality Grading Standard

(Y page 345)

;

DOT, Tire Identification Number

(Y page 344)

Maximum tire load (Y page 339)

Maximum tire pressure (Y page 330)

Manufacturer

Tire material (Y page 345)

Tire size designation, load-bearing capa-

city and speed index (Y page 342)

Load index (Y page 344)

Tire name

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

Tire labeling

341

Wheels and tires

Tire size designation, load-bearing

capacity and speed rating

Tire width

;

Nominal aspect ratio in %

Tire code

Rim diameter

Load bearing index

Speed rating

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

General: depending on the manufacturer's

standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall

may not contain any letters or may contain

one letter that precedes 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: these are

passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.

manufacturing standards.

If "LT" precedes the size description: these

are light truck tires according to U.S. manu-

facturing standards.

If "T" precedes the size description: these are

compact emergency spare wheels at high tire

pressure, to be used only temporarily in an

emergency.

Tire width: tire width : shows the nominal

tire width in millimeters.

Nominal aspect ratio: aspect ratio ; is the

size ratio between the tire height and the 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

diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial

tires.

Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of

over 149mph (240km/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).

Load bearing index: load bearing index A is

a numerical code which specifies the maxi-

mum 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 335).

Example:

A load-bearing index of 91 indicates a maxi-

mum load of 1,356lb (615kg) that can be car-

ried by the tires. For further information on

the maximum tire load in kilograms and

pounds, see (Y page 339).

For further information on the load-bearing

index, see Load index (Y page 344).

Speed rating: speed rating B specifies the

approved maximum speed of the tire.

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.

Regardless of the speed rating, always

observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and

342

Tire labeling

Wheels and tires

adapt your driving style to the traffic condi-

tions.

Summer tires

Index Speed rating

Q up to 100mph (160 km/h)

R up to 106mph (170 km/h)

S up to 112mph (180 km/h)

T up to 118mph (190 km/h)

H up to 130mph (210 km/h)

V up to 149mph (240 km/h)

W up to 168mph (270 km/h)

Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)

ZR...Y up to 186mph (300 km/h)

ZR...(..Y) over 186mph (300 km/h)

ZR over 149mph (240 km/h)

Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of

over 149 mph (240km/h) may have "ZR" in

the size description, depending on the

manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).

The service specifications consist of load

bearing index A and speed rating B.

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 ZR 18 97 Y. In this exam-

ple, "97 Y" is the service specification. The

letter "Y" represents the speed rating and

the maximum speed of the tire is limited to

186 mph (300km/h).

The size description for all tires with maxi-

mum speeds of over 186mph (300km/h)

must include "ZR", and the service specifi-

cation must be given in brackets. Example:

275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). The speed rating "(Y)"

indicates that the maximum speed of the

tire is over 186mph (300km/h). Ask the

tire manufacturer about the maximum

speed.

All-weather tires and winter tires

Index Speed rating

Q M+S

up to 100mph (160 km/h)

T M+S

up to 118mph (190 km/h)

H M+S

up to 130mph (210 km/h)

V M+S

up to 149mph (240 km/h)

Not all tires with the M+S marking provide

the driving characteristics of winter tires.

Winter tires have, in addition to the M+S

identification, the i snow flake symbol

on the tire sidewall. Tires with this marking

fulfill the requirements of the Rubber Man-

ufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rub-

ber Association of Canada (RAC) regarding

the tire traction on snow. They have been

especially developed for driving on snow.

An electronic speed limiter prevents your

vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130mph

(210km/h).

The speed rating of tires mounted at the fac-

tory may be higher than the maximum speed

that the electronic speed limiter permits.

Make sure that your tires have the required

speed rating, e.g. when buying new tires. The

required speed rating for your vehicle can be

found in the "Tires" section (Y page 352).

Further information about reading tire data

can be obtained from any qualified specialist

workshop.

Or M+Si for winter tires.

Tire labeling

343

Wheels and tires

Load index

In addition to the load bearing index, load

index : may be imprinted after the letters

that identify speed index B(Y page 342) on

the sidewall of the tire.

If no specification is given: no text (as in the

example above), represents a standard

load (SL) tire

XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced

tire

Light Load: represents a light load tire

C, D, E: represents a load range that

depends on the maximum load that the tire

can carry at a certain pressure

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)

Canadian tire regulations prescribe that every

new tire manufacturer or retreader has to

imprint a TIN in or on the sidewall of each tire

produced.

The TIN is a unique identification number. The

TIN makes it easier for tire manufacturers or

retreaders to notify customers of recalls or

other safety-related matters. It makes it pos-

sible for the purchaser to easily identify the

affected tires.

The TIN consists of the manufacturer identi-

fication code ;, tire size =, tire type

code ? and manufacturing date A.

DOT (Department of Transportation): tire

symbol : indicates that the tire complies

with the requirements of the Canadian Trans-

port Ministry.

Manufacturer identification code: manu-

facturer identification code ; provides

details on the tire manufacturer. New tires

have a code with two symbols. Retreaded

tires have a code with four symbols.

Further information about retreaded tires

(Y page 324).

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 manufacture

A 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.

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

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Tire labeling

Wheels and tires

Tire characteristics

This information describes the tire cord and

the number of layers in sidewall : and under

tire tread ;.

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

Definition of terms for tires and load-

ing

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 Canadian Transport Ministry.

Normal occupant weight

The number of occupants for which the vehi-

cle is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms

(150 lb).

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Stand-

ards

A uniform standard to grade the quality of

tires with regards to tread quality, tire traction

and temperature characteristics. Ratings are

determined by tire manufacturers using U.S.

government testing procedures. The ratings

are molded into the sidewall of the tire.

Recommended tire pressure

The recommended tire pressure applies to

the tires mounted at the factory.

The Tire and Loading Information placard con-

tains the recommended tire pressures for

cold tires on a fully loaded vehicle and for the

maximum permissible vehicle speed.

The tire pressure table contains the recom-

mended pressures for cold tires for various

operating conditions, i.e. differing load and

speed conditions.

Increased vehicle weight due to

optional equipment

This is the combined weight of all standard

and optional equipment available for the vehi-

cle, regardless of whether it is actually instal-

led on the vehicle or not.

Rim

This is the part of the wheel on which the tire

is mounted.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)

The GAWR is the maximum gross axle weight

rating. The actual load on an axle must never

exceed the gross axle weight rating. The

gross axle weight rating can be found on the

vehicle identification plate on the B-pillar on

the driver's side.

Definition of terms for tires and loading

345

Wheels and tires

Wheels and tires -> Tire labeling for Your Mercedes GLA SUV First Generation (2013-2019)

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