2011 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 308

306 Tire pressures approaches 1/8 in (3 mm), the adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply reduced. Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions), the tire traction varies widely. Cleaning tires G Warning 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. Do not use tires until they are excessively worn as the tire traction on wet road surfaces decreases significantly when the tread depth is less than 1/8 in (3 mm). Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire tread. They are visible as soon as a tread depth of approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm) is reached. If this is the case, the tire is so worn that it must be replaced. The recommended tread depth for summer tires is at least 1/8 in (3 mm). The recommended tread depth for winter tires is at least 1/6 in (4 mm). Tire pressures Recommended tire pressures G Warning Follow recommended tire inflation pressures. Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated. Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road debris, potholes etc. 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. Tires and wheels Bar marking : for tread wear is integrated into the tire tread. Storing tires Store tires that are not being used in a cool, dry and preferably dark place. Protect the tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. A table of recommended tire pressures can be found on the Tire and Load Information placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side of your vehicle (Y page 314). You will find a table of tire pressures for various operating conditions on the inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap. To test tire pressure, use a suitable pressure gauge. The outer appearance of a tire does not permit any reliable conclusion about the tire pressure. On vehicles equipped with the electronic tire pressure monitor, the tire