ESP MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government test track. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government test track as
a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions.
Traction
GWarning
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
GWarning
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will
be substantially reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tire
tread depth of 1/6 in (4 mm) for all four winter
tires ( Y page 482) to maintain normal driving
characteristics in winter. Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow covered
surfaces in comparison to summer tires. The
braking distance is still much further than on
surfaces that are not icy or snowy. Take
appropriate care when driving.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
Temperature
GWarning
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, 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 build up of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life. Furthermore, excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. 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
Tire labeling overview
The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name:
Tire labeling495Tires and wheelsZ

The service specifications consists of load
bearing index A and speed index B.
R 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.
If a service specification is available, the
maximum speed is limited according to the
speed index in the service specification.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97 Y. In this
example, "97 Y" is the service specification.
The letter "Y" represents the speed index
and the maximum speed of the tire is
limited to 186 mph (300 km/h).
R Every tire that has a maximum speed above
186 mph (300 km/h) must have "ZR" in the
size description and the service
specification must be given in brackets.
Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). The speed
index "(Y)" shows that the maximum speed
of the tire is above 186 mph (300 km/h).
Ask the tire manufacturer to find out the
maximum speed.All-weather tires and winter tiresIndexSpeed ratingQ M+S 35up to 100 mph (160 km/h)T M+S35up to 118 mph (190 km/h)H M+S 35up to 130 mph (210 km/h)V M+S35up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all tires that have the M+S
identification offer the driving
characteristics of winter tires. Winter tires
have, in addition to the M+S identification,
the i snow flake symbol on the tire
sidewall. Tires with this identification fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding the tire traction on snow and
have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the following speeds:
R 130 mph(210 km/h):
- All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
R 155 mph(250 km/h):
- S 63 AMG
- S 65 AMG
R 186 mph(300 km/h):
- S 63 AMG (Performance Package)
- S 63 AMG with raised maximum speed
- S 65 AMG with raised maximum speed
The speed index of tires installed 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 index as specified in the "Tires" section
( Y page 503) for your vehicle, e.g. when
buying new tires.
More information on reading the tire data can
be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
Load index
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
35 or M+S i for winter tires.498Tire labelingTires and wheels

The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If no
warranty book is available, the tires should be
rotated every 3000 to 6000 miles
(5000 to 10000 km), or earlier if tire wear
requires. Do not change the direction of
wheel rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressures.
Information on changing a wheel and fitting
the spare wheel ( Y page 463).
! On vehicles installed with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be applied
in the area of the valve, as this could
damage the electronic components.
Always have the tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may install an emergency spare wheel/
spare wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limitation specified on the
emergency spare wheel/spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
Cleaning the wheels
GWarning
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle, especially for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident.
Wheel/tire combinations
Points to remember
GWarning
Observe the "Important safety notes"
( Y page 480).
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires,
wheels and accessories which have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz specifically
for your vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only
certain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Certain characteristics, e.g. handling,
vehicle noise emissions or fuel
consumption, may otherwise be adversely
affected. In addition, when driving with a
Wheel/tire combinations503Tires and wheelsZ

Engine number:Emissions control information label,
including the certification of both federal
and Californian emissions reference
values
;Engine number (stamped into the
crankcase)
=VIN (on the lower edge of the windscreen)
Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
Service products include the following:
Rfuels
Rlubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
Rcoolant
Rbrake fluid
Rwindshield washer fluid
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. You should therefore
only use products that have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Information on tested and approved products
can be obtained at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or on the Internet at http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only).
GWarning
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing and disposing of service
fluids. Otherwise, you could endanger
persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
510Service products and capacitiesTechnical data

RETBE
R IPA
R TBA
For MTBE, the concentration should not
exceed 15%.
The concentration of methanol in gasoline
including other additives must not exceed 3%.
Using mixtures of methanol and ethanol is not
permitted. Gasohol, a mixture of 10% ethanol
and 90% unleaded gasoline can be used.
All of these mix fuels must fulfill the fuel
requirements, e.g.:
R knock resistance
R boiling point
R vapor pressure
Additives in gasoline
One of the major problems in engine design
is the creation of carbon deposits during the
process of burning fuel. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use fuel brands that
have the additives which prevent the build up
of carbon deposits.
If you use fuels without these additives for a
longer period of time, there may be a build up
of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet
valves and in the combustion chamber.
This could lead to engine running problems,
e.g.:
R warm-up hesitation
R unstable idle
R knocking/pinging
R misfire
R power loss
In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasoline which contains these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved for use in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles.
Consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit http://www.mbusa.com (USA only)
to view a list of approved products. Observe
the instructions for use on the product label.
Do not mix other fuel additives with fuel. This
causes unnecessary costs and could damage
the engine.
! Do not refuel with low-grade fuel and do
not use fuel additives that are not tested
and approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Damage or malfunctions can result that are
not covered:
R by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty
R by an existing Limited Warranty
R by an extended Limited Warranty
Engine oil
Points to remember
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. For this reason, only use
engine oils and oil filters that are approved for
vehicles with a service system.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit http://www.mbusa.com (USA only)
for a list of approved engine oils and oil filters.
! Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specification other than is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. Otherwise,
you may cause damage to the engine or
exhaust gas aftertreatment; this is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Mercedes-Benz recommends MOBIL OIL.
The table shows which engines oil have been
approved for your vehicle.
Service products and capacities513Technical dataZ