Information On Definitions (Tires And Loading) - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual

Load index 8 8 :
"Light load": light load tires
R
"C": commercial tires
R
Information on definitions (tires and load‐
ing)
Tire structure and characteristics: describes
the number of layers or the number of rubber-
coated layers in the tire tread and the tire wall.
These are made of steel, nylon, polyester and
other materials.
Bar: metric unit for tire pressure.
14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) and
100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation): DOT
marked tires fulfill the requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Average weight of vehicle occupants: the
number of occupants for which the vehicle is
designed multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards: a uni‐
form standard to grade the quality of tires with
regards to tread quality, tire traction and temper‐
ature characteristics. The quality grading assess‐
ment is made by the manufacturer in accordance
with test specifications of the U.S. government.
The quality grade of a tire is imprinted on the
sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure: the recommen‐
ded tire pressure is the pressure specified for the
tires installed on the vehicle at the factory.
The Tire and Loading Information placard con‐
tains the recommended tire pressures for cold
tires, the maximum permissible load and the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recommen‐
ded tire pressures for cold tires under various
operating conditions, i.e. load and/or speed of
the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment: the combined weight of all standard
and optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed on
the vehicle or not.
Rim: the part of the wheel on which the tire is
installed.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): GAWR is the
gross axle weight rating. The actual load on an
axle must never exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating. You can find the Gross Axle Weight Rating
on the B-pillar on the driver's side.
Speed rating: the speed rating is part of the tire
identification. It specifies the speed range for
which a tire is approved.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): the Gross Vehicle
Weight includes the weight of the vehicle includ‐
ing fuel, tools, the spare wheel, accessories
installed, occupants, luggage and the trailer
drawbar noseweight if applicable. The Gross Vehi‐
cle Weight must never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) specified on the B-pillar on
the driver's side.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): the
GVWR is the maximum permitted gross weight of
the fully laden vehicle (weight of the vehicle
including all accessories, occupants, fuel, lug‐
gage and the trailer drawbar noseweight if appli‐
cable). The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is speci‐
fied on the vehicle identification plate on the B-
pillar on the driver's side.
Maximum weight of the laden vehicle: the
maximum weight is the sum of the vehicle's curb
weight, weight of the accessories, maximum load
and the weight of the factory installed optional
equipment.
Kilopascal (kPa): metric unit for tire pressure.
6.9 kPa are the equivalent of 1 psi. Another unit
for tire pressure is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are
the equivalent of 1 bar.
Load index: in addition to the load-bearing index,
the load index may also be imprinted on the side‐
wall of the tire. This specifies the load-bearing
capacity more precisely.
Curb weight: the weight of a vehicle with stand‐
ard equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant. It also includes the air-
conditioning system and optional equipment if
these are installed on the vehicle, but does not
include passengers or luggage.
Maximum tire load: the maximum tire load is
the maximum permissible weight in kilograms or
lbs for which a tire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure: maximum
permissible tire pressure for one tire.
Maximum load on one tire: maximum load on
one tire. This is calculated by dividing the maxi‐
mum axle load for one axle by two.
PSI (pounds per square inch): standard unit of
measurement for tire pressure.
Wheels and tires 237