Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 Information on Tire Characteristics User Manual
Information on Tire Characteristics
The data shown in the image is example data. This information describes the type of tire cord and the number of layers in side wall 1 and under tire tread 2.
Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity, speed rating, and load index
WARNING
Risk of injury through exceeding the specified tire load-bearing capacity or the permissible speed rationing the specified tire load-bearing capacity or the permissible speed rating Exceeding the specified tire load rating or the permissible speed rating may lead to tire damage and to the tires bursting.
- Therefore, only use tire types and sizes approved for your vehicle model.
- Observe the tire load rating and speed
- First letter(s)
- Nominal tire width in millimeters
- Aspect ratio in
- Tire code
- 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 qualified specialist workshop.
First letter(s) 1:
- Without: passenger vehicle tires according to European manufacturing standards.
- passenger vehicle tires according to US manufacturing standards.
- light truck tires according to US manufacturing standards.
- compact emergency spare wheels with high tire pressure that are only designed for temporary use in an emergency.
Aspect ratio 3:
The ratio between tire height and tire width in percent (tire height divided by tire width).
Tire code 4 (tire type):
- radial tire
- bias ply tire
- bias radial tires
- A radial tire with a maximum speed above149 mph (240 km/h) (optional)
Rim diameter 5:
- The diameter of the bead seat (not the diameter of the rim flange). The rim diameter is specified in inches (in).
Load-bearing index 6:
- Numerical code that specifies the maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire (e.g. “91” corresponds to 1,356 l bs (615 kg)).
The load-bearing capacity of the tire must be at least half the gross axle weight rating of your vehicle. - Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit. See also:
- Maximum permissible load on the tire and loading information placard (/ page 451)
- Maximum tire load (/ page 457)
- Load Index
Speed rating 7:
Specifies the approved maximum speed of the tire. vehicle from exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). Make sure that your tires have the required speed rating. You can obtain information on the required speed rating from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Service Center.
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) |
| Index Speed rating | |
| ZR…Y1 | up to 186 mph (300 km/h) |
| ZR…(..Y)1 | over 186 mph (300 km/h) |
| ZR1 | over 149 mph (240 km/h) |
- Specifying the speed rating as the “ZR” indexic tire code 4 is optional for tires up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
- If your tire code 4 includes “ZR” and there is no speed rating 7, find out what the maximum speed is from the tire manufacturer.
- If load-bearing index 6 and speed rating 7 are in brackets, the maximum speed rating of your tire is above 186 mph (300 km/h). To find out the maximum speed, ask the tire manufacturer.
All-weather tires and winter tires
| Index Speed rating | |
| Q M+S2 | up to 100 mph (160 km/h) |
| T M+S2 | up to 118 mph (190 km/h) |
| H M+S2 | up to 130 mph (210 km/h) |
| V M+S2 | up to 149 mph (240 km/h) |
Winter tires bear i snowflake symbol and fulfill the requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) regarding tire traction on snow.
Load index 8:
- No specification given: standard load (SL) tire
- “XL” or “Extra Load”: extra load tire or reinforced tire
- “Light Load”: light load tire R “C”, “D”, “E”: a load range that depends on the maximum load that the tire can carry at a certain pressure
Definition of terms for tires and loading
Tire structure and characteristics describe the number of layers or the number of rubber-coated belts in the tire contact surface and the tire wall. These are made of steel, nylon, polyester, and other materials.
Bar:
the metric unit for tire pressure. 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascal (kPa) is the equivalent of one bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation):
DOT-marked tires fulfill the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The average weight of the vehicle occupants: the number of vehicle occupants for which the vehicle is designed, multiplied by 150 l b (68 kg).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards:
A uniform standard to grade the quality of tires with regard to tread quality, tire traction and temperature characteristics. The quality grading assessment is made by the manufacturer following specifications from the U.S. government. The quality grade of a tire is printed on the side wall of the tire. Recommended tire pressure: the recommended tire pressure is the tire pressure specified for the tires mounted on the vehicle at the factory.
The tire and information placard contains the recommended tire pressure for cold tires, the maxi-mum permissible load and the maximum permissible vehicle speed. The tire pressure table contains the recommended tire pressure for cold tires under various operating conditions, i.e. loading and/or speed of the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional equipment:
the combined weight of all standard and optional equipment available for the vehicle, regardless of whether it is actually installed on the vehicle or not.
Rim: the part of the wheel on which the tire is installed.
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.
Speed rating:
The speed rating is part of the tire identification. It specifies the speed range for which a tire is approved.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):
the gross vehicle weight comprises the weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools, the spare wheel, any accessories installed, occupants, luggage, and the trailer nose-weight, if applicable. The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR as specified on the vehicle identification plate on the B‑pillar on the driver’s side.
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 trailer drawbar nose weight if applicable). The gross vehicle weight rating is specified on the vehicle identification plate on the B‑pillar on the driver’s side. Maximum weight of the laden vehicle: the maximum weight is the sum of the curb weight of the vehicle, the weight of the accessories, the maximum load, and the weight of optional equipment installed at the factory.
Kilopascal (kPa):
the metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa corresponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire pressure is bar. 100 kilopascal (kPa) equals 1 bar.
Load index: in addition to the load-bearing index, the load index may also be printed on the side wall of the tire. This specifies the load-bearing capacity of the tire more precisely.
Curb weight:
the weight of a vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant. It also includes the air conditioning 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 is the maximum permissible weight in kilograms or l b s 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 measurement for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio:
the ratio between tire height and tire width in percent.
Tire pressure:
the pressure inside the tire which applies an outward force to every square inch of the tire. The tire pressure is specified in pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascals (kPa) or in bars. The tire pressure should only be corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure:
the tires are cold when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours without direct sunlight on the tires or the vehicle has been driven for less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Tire contact surface:
the part of the tire that comes into contact with the road.
Tire bead:
the purpose of the tire bead is to ensure that the tire sits securely on the wheel rim. There are several wire cores in the tire bead to prevent the tire from changing length on the wheel rim.
Sidewall:
the part of the tire between the tread and the tire bead.
Weight of optional equipment: the combined weight of the optional equipment weighing more than the replaced standard parts and more than 5 l b s (2.3 kg). This optional equipment, such as high-performance brakes, a level control system, a roof luggage rack or high-performance batteries, is not included in the curb weight and the weight of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number):
a unique identification number that can be used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for example, in 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 manufacturing date.
Load-bearing index:
the load-bearing index is a code that contains the maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Traction:
traction is the grip resulting from friction between the tires and the road surface.
Wear indicator:
narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distributed over the tire contact surface. If the tire tread is level with the bars, the wear limit of 1/16 in (1.6 mm) has been reached.
Distribution of vehicle occupants:
distribution of vehicle occupants over designated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight:
nominal load and luggage load plus 150 l b (68 kg) multi-plied by the number of seats in the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz 2023 Top Accessories
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Reference Links
View Full User Guide: Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manuals
