Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2011, Operator'S Manual

Page: 501 / 524

In addition to the load bearing index, load
index
:
may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed index
B
(
Y
page 496) on
the sidewall of the tire.
R
If no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard
load (SL) tire
R
XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R
Light load: represents a light load tire
R
C, D, E: represents a load range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry at a certain pressure
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every new
tire manufacturer or retreader has to imprint
a TIN in or on the sidewall of each tire
produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers to inform
purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer
identification code
;
, tire size
=
, tire type
code
?
and date of manufacture
A
.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol
:
marks that the tire complies with
the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code
;
provides
details on the tire manufacturer. New tires
have a code with two symbols. Retreaded
tires have a code with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
(
Y
page 480).
Tire size: identifier
=
describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code
?
can be
used by the manufacturer as a code to
describe specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
A
provides information about the age of a
tire. The first and second positions represent
the week of manufacture, starting with "01"
for the first calendar week. Positions three
and four represent the year of manufacture.
For example, a tire that is marked with
"3208", was manufactured in week 32 in
2008.
Tire characteristics
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
This information describes the tire cord and
the number of layers in sidewall
:
and under
the tread
;
.
Tire labeling
499
Tires and wheels
Z