Page 494 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class 2011 W221 Owner's Manual

Determining the maximum load
The following steps have been developed as required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code
of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1966".XStep 1: Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard.XStep 2: Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be traveling
in your vehicle.XStep 3: Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX lbs.XStep 4: The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the "XXX" amount equals 1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1,400
- 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).X Step 5: Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
For reasons of safety, that weight must not exceed the available cargo and luggage cargo
capacity calculated in step 4.XStep 6 (if applicable): If you intend to tow a trailer behind your vehicle, the load on the
trailer is transferred to your vehicle. Consult this Operator's Manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle ( Y page 494).
The following table shows examples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with
varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use
a cargo limit of 1,500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you
always use the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard ( Y page 491).
Example 1Example 2Example 3Step 1Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)Example 1Example 2Example 3Step 2Number of people in
the vehicle (driver
and occupants)531Distribution of the
occupantsFront: 2
Rear: 3Front: 1
Rear: 2Front: 1492Loading the vehicleTires and wheels

Example 1Example 2Example 3Weight of the
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)
Occupant 2:
190 lbs (86 kg)
Occupant 3:
150 lbs (68 kg)Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)Gross weight of all
occupants750 lbs (340 kg)540 lbs (245 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)Example 1Example 2Example 3Step 3Permissible cargo
and trailer load/
noseweight
(maximum gross
vehicle weight rating
from the Tire and
Loading Information
placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants)1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
750 lbs (340 kg)
= 750 lbs
(340 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
540 lbs (245 kg)
= 960 lbs
(435 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg) -
150 lbs (68 kg) =
1350 lbs
(612 kg)
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Further information can be found under "Towing a trailer" ( Y page 494).
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo
carefully, you should still make sure that the
gross vehicle weight rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side (Y page 490).
Gross vehicle weight: the gross weight of
the vehicle, all passengers, cargo and trailer
load/noseweight (if applicable) must not
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight.Gross axle weight rating: the maximum
permissible load that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible values (gross
vehicle weight and maximum gross axle
weight rating), have your loaded vehicle
(including driver, occupants, cargo, and full
trailer load if applicable) weighed on a
suitable vehicle weighbridge.Loading the vehicle493Tires and wheelsZ

Trailer load/noseweight
The trailer load/noseweight affects the gross
weight of the vehicle. If a trailer is attached,
the trailer load/noseweight is included in the
load along with occupants and luggage. The
trailer load/noseweight is usually
approximately 10% of the gross weight of the
trailer and its cargo.
Your Mercedes-Benz is designed for
transporting persons and their luggage.
Mercedes-Benz does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Maximum tire load
GWarning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
Maximum tire load : is the maximum
permitted weight for which the tire is
approved.
Further information on tire loads
( Y page 495).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of tire quality standards
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
are U.S. government specifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliable information on tire performance data.
Tire manufacturers have to grade tires using
three performance factors: tread wear :,
tire traction ; and heat resistance =. All
tires sold in North America are provided with
the corresponding quality class mark on the
sidewall of the tire, even though these
regulations do not apply to Canada.
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the
values in the illustration.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
For example:
Tread wearTractionTemperature200AAA
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
494Uniform Tire Quality Grading StandardsTires and wheels

:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
( Y page 500);DOT, Tire Identification Number
( Y page 499)=Maximum tire load ( Y page 494)?Maximum tire pressure ( Y page 486)AManufacturerBTire material ( Y page 499)CTire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index ( Y page 496)DLoad index ( Y page 498)ETire name
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index:Tire width;Nominal aspect ration in %=Tire code?Rim diameterALoad bearing indexBSpeed index
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size
description (as shown above): these are
passenger vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description: these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire
pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width : shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Nominal aspect ration: aspect ratio ; is
the size ratio between the tire height and the
tire width and is shown in percent. The aspect
496Tire labelingTires and wheels

ratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code: tire code = specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents
diagonal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR" in
the size description depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter ? is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches (in).
Load bearing index: load bearing index A
is a numerical code which specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.GWarning
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
sudden tire failure may be the result which
could cause an accident and/or serious injury
to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with rims and
tires having the same specifications
(designation, manufacturer and type) as
shown on the original part.
GWarning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
Example:
The load bearing index 91 is equivalent to a
maximum load of 1356 lbs (615 kg) that the
tire can carry. For further information on the
maximum tire load in kilograms and pounds,
see ( Y page 494).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see load index ( Y page 498).
Speed index: speed index B specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.GWarning
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 serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
Regardless of the speed index always observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt
your driving style to the traffic conditions.
Summer tiresIndexSpeed 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)ZR...Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)ZR...(..Y)above 186 mph (300 km/h)ZRabove 149 mph (240 km/h)
R Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR"
in the size description depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Tire labeling497Tires and wheelsZ