Consumer Information - Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.6 1989 Owner's Manual

Consumer Information

This has been prepared as required of
all manufacturers of passenger cars
under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
" National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1966".
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Relevant tire grade information on tire
sidewalls.
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements. In addition,
consumer information on treadwear,
traction and temperature must be pro­
vided.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi­
tions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1V
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative perform­
ance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, ser­
vice practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction "A" , " B" , "C"
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are "A" , " B" and "C" and they
represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under con­
trolled conditions on specified govern­
ment test surfaces of asphalt and con­
crete. A tire marked "C" may have poor
traction performance.
Warning!
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on braking (straight
ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning)
traction.
Temperature "A" , " B" , "C"
The temperature grades of "A" (the
highest), " B" and " C" representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi­
) times tions on a specified indoor laboratory
2
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to de­
generate and reduce tire life, and ex­
cessive temperature can lead to sud­
den tire failure. The grade "C" corres­
ponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet un­
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades " B" and "A"
represent higher levels of performance
in the laboratory test than the minimum
required by law.
Warning!
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not over­
loaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation,
or excessive loading, either sepa­
rately or in combination, can
cause excessive heat build up and
possible tire failure.
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