2011 Mercedes G-Class Owner's Manual - Page 264

262 Tire labeling the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. G Warning If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be substantially reduced. Under such weather conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme caution. Wheels and tires The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is always lower than on dry road surfaces. You should pay special attention to road conditions when temperatures are around the freezing point. Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum tread depth of 1/6 in (4 mm) for all four winter tires (Y page 248) to maintain normal driving characteristics in winter. Winter tires can reduce the braking distance on snow covered surfaces in comparison to summer tires. The braking distance is still much further than on surfaces that are not icy or covered with snow. Take appropriate care when driving. Tire labeling Overview of tire labeling The following markings are on the tire in addition to the tire name (sales designation) and the manufacturer's name: ! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage to the drive train. Temperature G Warning The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause excessive heat build-up and possible tire failure. : Uniform tire Quality Grading Standard (Y page 261) ; DOT, Tire Identification Number (Y page 265) = Maximum tire load (Y page 260) ? Maximum tire pressure (Y page 252) A Manufacturer B Tire material (Y page 266) C Tire size designation, load-bearing The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor capacity and speed index (Y page 263)