winter tires MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class 2016 W218 Owner's Manual

Reporting problems........................ .29
Securing from rolling away ............ 321
Towing away .................................. 296
Transporting .................................. 298
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 83
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 76
Vehicle data ................................... 336
Vehicle data ....................................... 336
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 336
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 83
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 330
Vehicle level
AIRMATIC ...................................... 166
Vehicle level (display message) ....... 224
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 286
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 202
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 245
VIN
Seat ............................................... 331
Type plate ...................................... 330
Voice Control System
see Separate operating instructions
W
Warning and indicator lampsABS ................................................ 238
Brakes ........................................... 237
Check Engine ................................. 241
Coolant .......................................... 241
Distance warning ........................... 243
ESP
®.............................................. 238
ESP®OFF ....................................... 239
Fuel tank ........................................ 241
General notes ................................ 235
Overview .......................................... 34
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 42
Reserve fuel ................................... 241
Restraint system ............................ 240
Seat belt ........................................ 236
SPORT handling mode ................... 240
Tire pressure monitor .................... 244
Warranty .............................................. 26 Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 234
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 325
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 324
Wheel chock ...................................... 321
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 320
Checking ........................................ 301
Cleaning ......................................... 281
Emergency spare wheel ................. 326
Important safety notes .................. 301
Information on driving .................... 301
Interchanging/changing ................ 320
Mounting a new wheel ................... 324
Mounting a wheel .......................... 321
Removing a wheel .......................... 323
Storing ........................................... 321
Tightening torque ........................... 324
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 325
Window curtain air bag
Operation ......................................... 49
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 122
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 277
Important safety notes .................. 335
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ................... 113
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 112
Switching on/off ........................... 111
Winter driving
Important safety notes .................. 303
Slippery road surfaces ................... 152
Snow chains .................................. 303
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 303
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 282
Important safety notes .................. 112
R

eplacing ....................................... 112
Wooden trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 284
Index21

Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview of driving safety systems
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
(Ypage 64)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System) (Ypage 65)
RBAS PLUS ( BrakeAssist System PLUS) with
Cross-Traffic Assist (Ypage 65)
RCOLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
(Ypage 67)
RESP®(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Ypage 69)
REBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution)
(Ypage 72)
RADAPTIVE BRAKE (Ypage 72)
RPRE-SAFE®Brake (Ypage 73)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for maintaining the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in
good time, and for staying in lane. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road and weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described only work
as effectively as possible when there is ade-
quate contact between the tires and the road
surface. Please pay special attention to the
notes on tires, recommended minimum tire
tread depths, etc. (
Ypage 301).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains.
Only in this way will the driving safety systems
described in this section work as effectively as
possible.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
The ! ABS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
Important safety notes
iObserve the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Ypage 64).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (
Ypage 238) and dis-
play messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (
Ypage 213).
Braking
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions, and functions as a reminder to take extra care while driving.
64Driving safety systems
Safety

The AMG brake systems are designed for heavy
loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This
will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
REnvironmental conditions, such as tempera-
ture and humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An
aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain further information about this
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal. Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake wear
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note
any brake status messages in the multifunction
display. Especially for high performance driving,it is important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of hydro-
planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in
conditions in which hydroplaning may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Ravoid sudden steering movements.
Rbrake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise con-
trol or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
152Driving tips
Driving and parking

!Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised.
This may damage the transfer case. Damage
of this sort is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels must
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if you
use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains
if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are perma-
nently driven. Together with ESP
®, it improves
the traction of your vehicle whenever a drive
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area around
your vehicle using six sensors in the front
bumper and six sensors in the rear bumper.
PARKTRONIC indicates visually and audibly the
distance between your vehicle and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate sur-
roundings. You are always responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and exiting a parking
space. When maneuvering, parking or pulling
out of a parking space, make sure that there are
no persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARKTRONIC
does not detect such objects when they are in
the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes on a truck
or a pneumatic drill could cause PARKTRONIC
to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain. PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
Rswitch on the ignition
Rshift the transmission to position
D,Ror N
Rrelease the parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
Range of the sensors
General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
Rbelow the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
Rabove the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, truck overhangs or loading ramps.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or slush.
They can otherwise not function correctly. Clean
the sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch
or damage them (
Ypage 282).
Range
170Driving systems
Driving and parking

XReleaseth ebrak epedal .
XReleas eth eparking brake.
XSwitc hoff th eignition and leav eth eSmartKey
in th eignition lock.
You can wash th evehicl ein an automatic car
wash from th ever ystart .
If th evehicl eis ver ydirty, pre-was hit before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
Afte rusin gan automatic car wash, wipe off wax
from th ewindshield and th ewiper blades. This
will preven tsmears and reduce wipin gnoises
caused by residue on th ewindshield.
Washing by hand
In som ecountries, washing by han dis only
allowe dat specially equipped washing bays.
Observ eth elegal requirements in eac hcountry.
XDo no tuse hot water and do no twash th e
vehicl ein direct sunlight.
XUse asof tspong eto clean.
XUse amild cleaning agent, suc has acar
shampoo approve dby Mercedes-Benz.
XThoroughly hos edown th evehicl ewit h a gen -
tl e je tof water.
XDo no tpoin tth ewater je tdirectly towards th e
air inlet .
XUse plenty of water and rinse out th espong e
frequently.
XRins eth evehicl ewit hclean water and dry
thoroughly wit h achamois.
XDo no tlet th ecleaning agen tdry on th epaint-
work.
Carefully remove all deposit sof road salt as
soo nas possibl ewhen driving in winter.
Power washers
GWARNIN G
The water je tfrom acircular je tnozzle (dir t
blasters )can caus einvisible exterio rdamag e
to th etires or chassi scomponents. Compo-
nent sdamaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is aris kof an accident.
Do no tuse power washers wit hcircular je t
nozzles to clean th evehicle. Hav edamaged
tires or chassi scomponent sreplace dimme-
diately.
!Always maintai n adistanc eof at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between th evehicl eand th e
powe rwashe rnozzle. Information about th e
correc tdistanc eis available from th eequip -
men tmanufacturer.
Mov eth epowe rwashe rnozzle around when
cleaning your vehicle.
Do no taim directly at any of th efollowing:
Rtires
Rdoor gaps ,roo fgaps ,joints, etc.
Relectrical component s
Rbattery
Rconnectors
Rlights
Rseals
Rtrim
Rventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical component scan
lead to leak sor failures .
Cleaning the paintwork
!Do notaffix:
Rstickers
Rfilm s
Rmagnetic plates or similar items
to painte dsurfaces. You could otherwise
damag eth epaintwork .
Scratches, corrosiv edeposits, areas affecte dby
corrosio nand damag ecaused by inadequat e
car ecanno talways be completely repaired. In
suc hcases, visit aqualified specialist workshop.
XRemove dirt immediately, wher epossible,
while avoidin grubbing to ohard.
XSoak insec tremain swit hinsec tremove rand
rinse off th etreated areas afterwards .
XSoak bird droppings withwater and rinse off
th etreated areas afterwards .
XRemove coolant, brakefluid ,tree resin, oils ,
fuel sand greases by rubbing gentl ywit h a
cloth soaked in petroleum ether or lighte r
fluid .
XUse tar remove rto remove tar stains.
XUse silicon eremove rto remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads "on th epain t
surface, use th epain tcar eproducts recommen -
ded and approve dby Mercedes-Benz .This is th e
cas eapproximately every three to fiv emonths,
280Care
Maintenance and care

iExample: equipment and country-specific
variations possible.
Vehicles with alloy wheels and hub caps
On vehicles with alloy wheels and hub caps, a
socket is also provided.
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
RMOExtended tires (tires with run-flat proper-
ties) (Ypage 287)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on vehi-
cles with MOExtended tires
Ra TIREFIT kit (Ypage 286)
Ran emergency spare wheel (Ypage 326)
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you additionally
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not feature run-flat properties, e.g.
winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may be obtained from a qualified specialist workshop.
Information on changing and mounting wheels
(
Ypage 320).
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(Ypage 146).
XIf possible, bring the front wheels into the
straight-ahead position.
XVehicles with AIRMATIC: make sure that "nor-
mal" level is selected (Ypage 166).
XSwitch off the engine.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS ‑GO:
XOpen the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0.
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed.
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the igni-
tion lock (Ypage 127).
XMake sure that the passengers are not endan-
gered as they do so. Make sure that no one is near the danger area while a wheel is being changed. Anyone who is not directly assisting
in the wheel change should, for example,
stand behind the barrier.
XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traffic
conditions when doing so.
XClose the driver's door.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
General notes
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat char-
acteristics), you can continue to drive your vehi-
cle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one
or more tires. The affected tire must not show
any clearly visible damage.
You can recognize MOExtended tires by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
sidewall of the tire. You will find this marking
next to the tire size designation, the load-bear-
ing capacity and the speed index (
Ypage 315).
MOExtended tires may only be used in conjunc-
tion with an active tire pressure loss warning
system or with an active tire pressure monitor.
If a pressure loss warning message appears
in the multifunction display:
Robserve the instructions in the display mes-
sages (Ypage 230).
Rcheck the tire for damage.
Rif driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the vehi-
cle is partially laden. When the vehicle is fully
laden it is approximately 19 miles (30 km).
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis-
tance possible depends upon:
Rvehicle speed
Rroad condition
Routside temperature
The driving di stance p
ossible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving conditions
or maneuvers, or it can be increased through a
moderate style of driving.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
counted from the moment the tire pressure loss
warning appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Flat tire287
Breakdown assistance

When replacing one or all tires, please observe
the following specifications for your vehicle's
tires:
Rsize
Rthe type and
Rthe "MOExtended" mark
If a tire has gone flat and cannot be replaced
with a MOExtended tire, a standard tire may be
used as a temporary measure. Make sure that
you use the proper size and type (summer or
winter tire).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you additionally
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount tires that do not feature run-flat properties, e.g.
winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may be obtained from
a qualified specialist workshop.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
Ryou hear banging noises.
Rthe vehicle starts to shake.
Ryou see smoke and smell rubber.
RESP®is intervening constantly.
Rthere are tears in the sidewalls of the tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
defective tire must be replaced in every case.
TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes
TIREFIT is a tire sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up to
0.16 in (4 mm), particularly those in the tire
tread. You can use TIREFIT at outside tempera-
tures down to Ò4 ‡ (Ò20 †).
GWARNING
In the following situations, the tire sealant is
unable to provide sufficient breakdown assis-
tance, as it is unable to seal the tire properly:
Rthere are cuts or punctures in the tire larger
than those mentioned above.
Rthe wheel rim is damaged.
Ryou have driven at very low tire pressures or on a flat tire.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
GWARNING
The tire sealant is harmful and causes irrita-
tion. It must not come into contact with your
skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed. Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tire sealant away
from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tire sealant,
observe the following:
RRinse off the tire sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
RIf the tire sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water.
RIf tire sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tire sealant.
RIf an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
288Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat char-
acteristics), you can continue to drive your vehi-
cle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one
or more tires.
MOExtended tires may only be used in conjunc-
tion with an active tire pressure loss warning
system or with an active tire pressure monitor
and on wheels specifically tested by Mercedes-
Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires with a
flat tire (
Ypage 287).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you additionally
equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you mount
tires that do not feature run-flat properties, e.g.
winter tires. A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a qualified specialist workshop.
Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (
Ypage 320).
Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehicle
to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility for
this type of damage.
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
M+S tires
GWARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There is
a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ãin
(4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use winter
tires or all-season tires. Both types of tire are
identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking provide
the best possible grip in wintry road conditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety systems
such as ABS and ESP
®to function optimally in
winter. These tires have been developed specif-
ically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on all
wheels to maintain safe handling characteris-
tics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted the M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures (Ypage 307).
XVehicles for Canada: restart the tire pres-
sure loss warning system (Ypage 308).
XRestart the tire pressure monitor
(Ypage 311).
Information about driving with an emergency
spare wheel (
Ypage 326).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
Winter operation303
Wheels and tires
Z

You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tread
depth ofãin (4 mm) on all four winter tires.
Observe the legally required minimum tire tread
depth (
Ypage 302). Winter tires can reduce the
braking distance on snow-covered surfaces in
comparison with summer tires. The braking dis-
tance is still much further than on surfaces that
are not icy or covered with snow. Take appro-
priate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S tires)
(
Ypage 303).
Temperature
GWARNING
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, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature 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
:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(Ypage 319)
;Department of Transportation, Tire Identifi-
cation Number (Ypage 318)
=Maximum load rating (Ypage 317)
?Maximum tire pressures (Ypage 307)
AManufacturer
BTire material (Ypage 318)
CTire size designation, load-bearing capacity
and speed rating (Ypage 315)
DLoad index (Ypage 317)
ETire name
The markings described above are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation) and
the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
GWARNING
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
All about wheels and tires315
Wheels and tires
Z

rating in the service specification. Example:
245/40 ZR18 97Y.In this example, "97 Y" is
the service specification. The letter "Y" rep-
resents the speed rating. The maximum
speed of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).
If the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service specifications,
ask the tire manufacturer in order to find out
the maximum speed.
RThe size description for all tires with maxi-
mum speeds of over 186 mph (300 km/h)
must include "ZR", andthe service specifica-
tion must be given in parentheses. Example:
275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). Speed rating "(Y)" indi-
cates that the maximum speed of the tire is
over 186 mph (300 km/h). Ask the tire man-
ufacturer about the maximum speed.
All-weather tires and winter tires
IndexSpeed rating
Q M+S1up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V M+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all tires with the M+S marking provide
the driving characteristics of winter tires. In
addition to the M+S marking, winter tires also
have the isnowflake symbol on the tire
wall. Tires with this marking fulfill the require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers Associa-
tion (RMA) and the Rubber 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 vehi-
cle from exceeding the following speeds:
Rall vehicles (except AMG vehicles): 130 mph
(210 km/h)
RAMG vehicles: 155 mph (250 km/h)
RAMG vehicles with Performance Package:
186 mph (300 km/h)
The speed rating of tires mounted at the factory 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 (
Ypage 325).
Further information about reading tire data can
be obtained from any qualified specialist work-
shop.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, load
index :may be imprinted after the letters that
identify speed index Bon the sidewall of the
tire (
Ypage 315).
RIf no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard load
(SL) tire
RXL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced tire
RLight Load: represents a light load tire
RC, D, E: represents a load range that depends
on the maximum load that the tire can carry at
a certain pressure
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Maximum load rating
Maximum tire load :is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
1Or M+S ifor winter tires.
All about wheels and tires317
Wheels and tires
Z