Wh eels and tir es, Tire labeling – Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe 2015 Owners Manual User Manual

Page 323

Load index

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

In addition to the load-bearing index, load

index : may be imprinted after the letters

that identify speed rating B(

page 319) on

the sidewall of the tire.

If no specification is given: no text (as in the

example above), represents a standard

load (SL) tire

XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced

tire

Light Load: represents a light load tire

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

manufacturer of new tires 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 tire manufacturers to inform pur-

chasers of recalls and other safety-relevant

matters. It makes it possible for the pur-

chaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifi-

cation code ;, tire size =, tire type code ?

and manufacturing date A.

Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-

ate from the data in the example.

DOT (Department of Transportation): tire

symbol : indicates that the tire complies

with the requirements of the U.S. Department

of Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code: manu-

facturer identification code ; provides

details on the tire manufacturer. New tires

have a code with two symbols. Retreaded

tires have a code with four symbols.
For further information about retreaded tires,

see (

page 302).

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 labeling

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