2011 Mercedes S-Class Owner's Manual - Page 501
2011 Mercedes S-Class Manual
Page 501 highlights
Tire labeling 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. RIf no specification is given: no text (as in the example above), represents a standard load (SL) tire RXL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced tire RLight load: represents a light load tire RC, D, E: represents a load range that depends on the maximum load that the tire can carry at a certain pressure 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. 499 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. Tire characteristics The TIN is a unique identification number. The TIN enables the tire manufacturers to inform purchasers of recalls and other safetyrelevant 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. This information describes the tire cord and the number of layers in sidewall : and under the tread ;. 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. Z Tires and wheels