GAWR MERCEDES-BENZ E320 2005 W211 Owner's Manual

314 OperationTires and wheelsDirection of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning) of
the tire.
Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.

The Tire and Loading Information
placard (Example A) or the Vehicle Tire
Information placard (Example B) can be
found on the driver's door B-pillar. This
placard tells you important information
about the number of people that can be
in the vehicle and the total weight that
can be carried in the vehicle. It also
contains information on the proper size
and recommended tire inflation
pressures for the original equipment
tires on your vehicle.


The Certification label, also found on
the driver’s door B-pillar tells you about
the gross weight capacity of your vehi-
cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel and cargo. The Certification label
also tells you about the front and rear
axle weight capacity, called the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The GAWR
is the total allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear).
Never exceed the GVWR or GAWR for
either the front axle or rear axle.
iSpare wheels may be mounted against
the direction of rotation (spinning) even
with a unidirectional tire for temporary
use only until the regular drive wheel
has been repaired or replaced. Always
observe and follow applicable tempo-
rary use restrictions and speed limita-
tions indicated on the spare wheel.

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants, cargo
and the trailer tongue load (if applicable)
(page 319) as to not exceed the permis-
sible load limit, you must make sure that
your vehicle never exceeds the Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle. You can obtain the
GVWR and GAWR from the Certification la-
bel. The Certification Label can be found
on the driver’s door B-pillar, see “Technical
data” (
page 448).Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The
total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all cargo, and the trailer tongue load
(
page 319) must never exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The to-
tal allowable weight that can be carried by
a single axle (front or rear).
To assure that your vehicle does not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible weight
limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear
axle), have the loaded vehicle (including
driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap-
plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a
suitable commercial scale.Trailer tongue load
The tongue load of any trailer is an impor-
tant weight to measure because it affects
the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a
trailer is towed, the tongue load must be
added to the weight of all occupants riding
and any cargo you are carrying in the
vehicle. The tongue load typically is ten
percent of the trailer weight and every-
thing loaded in it.
Your Mercedes-Benz has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and their
cargo. Mercedes-Benz does not recom-
mend trailer towing with your vehicle.

329 Operation
Tires and wheels
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(page 331).Tire speed rating
The tire speed rating6 (
page 327)
indicates the approved maximum speed
for the tire.
Warning
G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 337) of your vehi-
cle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the result
which may cause an accident and/or seri-
ous personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
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.
iTire load rating5 (
page 327) and
Tire speed rating6 (page 327) are
also referred to as “service descrip-
tion”.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others. iTire load rating5 (
page 327) and
Tire speed rating6 (page 327) are
also referred to as “service descrip-
tion”.

337 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.
GVW (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.

486 IndexFront airbags 65
Front fog lamp
Replacing bulb 418
Front lamps 418
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 420
Switching on 133
Front seat head restraints
Power seat 123
Removing and installing 123
Front seats
Heater* 127
FSS (Canada vehicles) 343
FSS (Flexible Service System) 473
Fuel 300
Fuel tank reserve warning lamp 362
Premium unleaded gasoline 300
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 170
Since last reset 170Fuel filler flap 299
Locking 299
Unlocking 299
Fuel requirements 466
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 389
Fuel tank
Filler flap 299
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 461
Functions (control system) 149
Resetting 155
Fuse chart 443
Fuses 443
Fuse chart 443
Fuse extractor 443
Spare fuses 443G
Garage door opener 29, 279
Erasing the integrated remote
control 284
Integrated remote control 281
Rolling code programming 282
Gasoline see Fuel 300
GAWR 337
Gear range 473
Automatic transmission 177
Limiting 177
Shifting into optimal 176
Gear range limit
Canceling 176
Gear selector lever
Position 178
Global
Locking 100
Locking with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Unlocking 99
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Global Positioning System (GPS) 473
Glove box 262
Closing 262
Opening 262

487 Index
Good visibility 186
GPS 473
GPS see COMAND 272
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 337
GVWR 338
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 281
Reprogramming integrated remote
control 284
Hazard warning flasher 138
Switching off 138
Switching on 138Headlamps
Automatic control 134
Bi-Xenon* 471
Cleaning system* 186
Switching off 56
Switching on 50
Heated seats* 127
Heated steering wheel* 270
Heater booster system 203, 473
Height adjustment
Head restraints 39
Steering wheel 39
Vehicle level 248
High beam flasher 50, 137
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 394
Replacing bulbs 418
Switching on 50, 137
High mounted brake lamp 418
Hood 303
Closing 303
Message in display 389
Opening 303
Hydroplaning 291I
Identification labels 448
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 46, 47
Immobilizer 94
Activating 94
Deactivating 94
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 80
LATCH child seat anchors 81
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 276
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 80
Towing eye bolt 442
Wiper blades 424