load capacity MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2006 W203 User Guide

327 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire type code
The code4 (
page 326) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 326)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.For more information on tire load rating
(
page 322).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities (
page 310).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Warning!
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km). Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.

332 OperationTires and wheelsGVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.

334 OperationTires and wheelsTraction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16
in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle capacity weight
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.

454 Technical termsTelematics*
A combination of the terms “tele-
communications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 333)
Tire load rating
(page 333)Tire ply composition and material used
(
page 333)
Tire speed rating
(page 333)
Traction
(page 334)
Tread
(page 334)
Treadwear indicators
(page 334)Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(
page 334)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 334)
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(page 334)
VIN
(Vehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.

471 Index
Tools 383
Top tether, see Children in the vehicle
Tow-away alarm* 95
Towing eye bolt 420
Towing the vehicle 417
Traction 168, 334
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission see Automatic* or Manual
transmission
Traveling abroad 290
Tread 334
Tread depth 306, 336
Treadwear indicators 334
Trip computer 155
Trip odometer 128
Trunk
Closing the lid 104
Fuse box 423
Lamp 126
Message in display 382
Opening 102, 103, 104
Tie-down rings 256
Trunk emergency release 105
Unlocking in an emergency 105Turn signal lamps
Messages in display 380
Replacing bulbs 398, 399
Turn signals 53
Additional in mirrors 398
Bulbs 398, 399
Cleaning lenses 344
Indicator lamps 25
Turning off engine 59
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 334
Units, Setting
Speedometer 143
Upholstery, Cleaning 348
Useful features 257
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 428
Valet locking 106
Vehicle
Battery 412
Breaking-in the vehicle 282
Care 341
Dimensions 438Individual settings 140, 142
Locking/unlocking 108
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 389, 390
Lowering 410
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 417
Washing 342, 343
Weights 439
Vehicle capacity weight 334
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 385
Vehicle lighting 296
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Instructions 255, 307
Load limit 439
Roof rack* 250
Split rear bench seat* 253
Terminology 331
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 334
Vehicle recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid*) 265
Vehicle status message memory 138