Tire and Loading Information placard
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WARNING Risk of an accident when driv-
ing with an overloaded tire
Overloaded tires may overheat and burst.
Overloaded tires can impair the steering and
handling characteristics and lead to brake fail-
ure.
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Observe the load rating of the tires.
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The load rating must be at least half the
permissible axle load of the vehicle.
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Mercedes-Benz recommends you use the
load-bearing index, which is given in the
vehicle documents.
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Never overload the tires by exceeding the
maximum load.
Only vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less
than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) have a Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the driver's
side.
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Tire and Loading Information placard
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The data shown in the illustration is sample
data.
The Tire and Loading Information placard shows:
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The maximum number of seats indicates the
maximum number of occupants permitted to
travel in the vehicle.
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The maximum permissible load equals the
gross weight of all vehicle occupants, the lug-
gage and cargo.
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The recommended tire pressures for cold tires.
The recommended tire pressures apply to the
maximum permissible load and up to the maxi-
mum permissible speed of the vehicle.
Also observe the following information:
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The information about permissible weights on
the vehicle identification plate (
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page 284).
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The information about tire pressure on the tire
pressure table .
Additional related subjects:
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Determining the maximum load (
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page 251).
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Notes on tire pressure (
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page 244).
Steps to determining the correct critical load
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code
of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 in accord-
ance with the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1966."
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Step 1: Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
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Step 2: Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
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Step 3: Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
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Step 4: The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passen-
gers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
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Step 5: Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the availa-
ble cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
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Step 6: If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred to your
Wheels and tires 251
