MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2023 Owners Manual

Further related subjects:
= Calculation example for determining the maxi-
mum load (  page 349)
= Tire and Loading Information placard
(  page 347)
= Tire pressure table (  page 342)
= Vehicle identiNcation plate ( page 372)Calculation example for determining the maximum
load
The following table shows examples of how to cal-
culate total and load capacities with varying seat-
ing conNgurations and diMerent numbers and
sizes of occupants. The following examples use a
maximum load of 1500 lbs (680 kg). This is for
illustration purposes only. Make sure you are
using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated
on your vehicle\bs Tire and Loading Information
placard (  page 347).
The higher the weight of all the occupants, the
smaller the maximum load for luggage.
Step 1
Example 1Example 2Combined maximum weight of occupants and
load (data from the Tire and Loading Information
placard)1500 lbs (680 kg)1500 lbs (680 kg)Wheels and tires349

Step 2Example 1Example 2Number of people in the vehicle (driver and occu-pants)51Distribution of the occupantsFront: 2
Rear: 3Front: 1Weight of occupantsOccupant 1: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Occupant 2: 180 lbs (82 kg)
Occupant 3: 160 lbs (73 kg)
Occupant 4: 140 lbs (63 kg)
Occupant 5: 120 lbs (54 kg)Occupant 1: 200 lbs (91 kg)Total weight of all occupants750 lbs (340 kg)200 lbs (91 kg)
Step 3
Example 1Example 2Permissible load (maximum gross vehicle weight rating from the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard minus the gross weight of all occupants)1500 lbs (680 kg)

Tire labeling
Overview of tire labeling
1Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards2DOT (Department of Transportation), (TIN)
Tire *dentiNcation Number3Maximum tire load (  page 353)4Maximum tire pressure (  page 353)5Manufacturer6Characteristics of the tire (  page 354)7Tire size designation, load-bearing capacity,
speed rating and load index (  page 354)8Tire name\bThe data shown in the illustration is example
data.
Tire Quality Grading
In accordance with the US Department of Trans-
portation\bs "Uniform Tire Quality Grading Stand-
ards", tire manufacturers are required to grade
their tires on the basis of the following three per-
formance factors:
1Tread wear grade2Traction grade3Temperature grade\bThe data shown in the illustration is example
data.\bThe classiNcation is not legally stipulated for
Canada, but it is generally stated.
Tread wear grade
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on a speciNed govern-
ment test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1=1/2=) times as
Wheels and tires351

well on the government course as a tire graded
100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart signiNcantly from the norm due to var-
iations in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction grade&DANGER Risk of accident due to inade-
quate traction
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests.
Always adapt your driving style and drive
at a speed to suit the prevailing traPc
and weather conditions.*NOTE Damage to the drivetrain from
wheelspinAvoid wheelspin.The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire\bs ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speciNed govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature grade&WARNING Risk of accident from tire over-
heating and tire failure
Excessive speed, underinOation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combination, can cause excessive heat build-up and possi-
ble tire failure.
Observe the recommended tire pressure.Regularly check the pressure of all the
tires.Adjust the tire pressure, if necessary.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire\bs resistance to thegeneration of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a speciNed indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and exces-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.
DOT, Tire *dentiNcation Number (TIN)
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.
352Wheels and tires

\bThe data shown in the image is example data.
The TIN is a unique identiNcation number to iden-
tify tires and comprises the following:
= DOT (Department of Transportation): tire sym-
bol marks 1 indicating that the tire complies
with the requirements of the US Department of Transportation.
= Manufacturer identiNcation code: manufac-
turer identiNcation 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 358).
= Tire size: identiNer 3 describes the tire size.
= Tire type code: tire type code 4 can be used
by the manufacturer as a code to describe
speciNc characteristics of the tire.
= 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).
Information on the maximum tire load\bThe data shown in the illustration is example
data.
Maximum tire load 1 is the maximum permissi-
ble weight for which the tire is approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the speci- Ned load limit. The maximum permissible load can
be found on the vehicle\bs tire and loading informa-
tion placard on the B-pillar on the driver\bs side
(  page 347).
SpeciNcations for maximum tire pressure\bThe data shown in the illustration is example
data.
Never exceed maximum tire pressure 1 speci-
Ned for the tire. Always observe the recommen-
ded tire pressure for your vehicle when adjusting
the tire pressure (  page 342).
Wheels and tires353

Information on tire characteristics\bThe 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 exceed-
ing the speciNed tire load-bearing capa-
city or the permissible speed rating
Exceeding the speciNed 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.Observe the tire load rating and speed
rating required for your vehicle.1First letter(s)2Nominal tire width in millimeters3Aspect ratio in %4Tire code5Rim diameter6Load-bearing index7Speed rating8Load index\bThe data shown in the illustration is example
data.
Information about reading tire data can be
obtained from any qualiNed specialist workshop.
354Wheels and tires

First letter(s) 1:
= Without: passenger vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
= "P": passenger vehicle tires according to US
manufacturing standards.
= "LT": light truck tires according to US manu-
facturing standards.
= "T": compact emergency spare wheels with
high tire pressure that are only designed for
temporary use in an emergency.
Aspect ratio 3:
Ratio between tire height and tire width in percent (tire height divided by tire width).
Tire code 4 (tire type):
= "R": radial tire
= "D": bias ply tire
= "B": bias radial tires
= "ZR": radial tire with a maximum speed above
149 mph (240 km/h) (optional)Rim diameter 5:
The diameter of the bead seat (not the diameter
of the rim Oange). The rim diameter is speciNed in
inches (in).
Load-bearing index 6:
Numerical code that speciNes the maximum load-
bearing capacity of a tire (e.g. "91" corresponds
to 1,356 lbs (615 kg)).
The load-bearing capacity of the tire must be atleast half the gross axle weight rating of your vehi-
cle. Do not overload the tires by exceeding the speciNed load limit.
See also: = Maximum permissible load on the tire and
loading information placard (  page 347)
= Maximum tire load (  page 353)
= Load index
Speed rating 7:
SpeciNes the approved maximum speed of the
tire.\bAn electronic speed limiter prevents your
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
IndexSpeed ratingQup 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)Wheels and tires355

IndexSpeed ratingZR...Y1up to 186 mph (300 km/h)ZR...(..Y) 1over 186 mph (300 km/h)ZR1over 149 mph (240 km/h)
=
Specifying the speed rating as the "ZR" index
in 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, Nnd out what the maxi-
mum 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
Nnd out the maximum speed, ask the tire man-
ufacturer.
All-weather tires and winter tiresIndexSpeed ratingQ M\fS 2up to 100 mph (160 km/h)T M\fS2up to 118 mph (190 km/h)H M\fS 2up to 130 mph (210 km/h)V M\fS2up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Winter tires bear the
M snowOake symbol and
fulNll the requirements of the Rubber Manufactur-
ers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association
of Canada (RAC) regarding the tire traction on
snow.
Load index 8:
= No speciNcation given: standard load (SL) tire
= "XL" or "Extra Load": extra load tire or rein-
forced tire
= "Light Load": light load tire
="C", "D", "E": a load range that depends on the
maximum load that the tire can carry at a cer-
tain pressure
DeNnition of terms for tires and loading
T ire structure and characteristics: describes 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: 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 fulNll the requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Average weight of the vehicle occupants: the
number of vehicle occupants for which the vehicle
is designed, multiplied by 150 lb (68 kg).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards: a uniform
standard to grade the quality of tires with regard
1 "ZR" stated in the tire code.
2 Or "M\fS M" for winter tires.356Wheels and tires

to tread quality, tire traction and temperature
characteristics. The quality grading assessment is
made by the manufacturer following speciNcations
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 speciNed for the
tires mounted on the vehicle at the factory.
The tire and information placard contains the rec-
ommended tire pressure for cold tires, the maxi- mum permissible load and the maximum permissi-
ble vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recommen-
ded tire pressure for cold tires under various oper-
ating conditions, i.e. loading and/or speed of the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional equip- ment: 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 identiNcation plate on the
B!

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: 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 speciNed in pounds
per square inch (psi), in kilopascals (kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only be corrected whenthe tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure: the tires are cold when the
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours with- out 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 toprevent the tire from changing length on thewheel rim.Side wall: 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 lbs (2.3 kg). This optional equipment, such ashigh-performance brakes, 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 *dentiNcation Number): a unique identiN-
cation number which can be used by a tire manu-
facturer to identify tires, for example, in a product recall, and thus identify the purchasers. The TIN is
made up of the manufacturer\bs identity code, tire
size, tire type code and the 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 thetire 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 lb (68 kg) multi- plied by the number of seats in the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Notes on selecting, installing and replacing tires
*NOTE Mercedes-AMG vehiclesObserve the notes in the Supplement.
You could otherwise fail to recognize
dangers.&WARNING Risk of accident due to incor-
rect wheel and tire dimensions
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are instal-
led, the service brakes or components in the
358Wheels and tires