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Mercedes Benz
Model
(107) R107 - W107
280/300/350/380/420/450/500/560 SL's & SLC's
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Mercedes Benz 107
Tire Sidewall Characters Defined
Reading
The Sidewall of a Tire
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Tire and
Wheel Resizing
Tire Sidewall
Characters
Tire
Dimensions Explained
Tire Speed
rating
Tire
Components
Tire Tread Wear
Tire Wheel
Size
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Size (Metric) |
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Tire
Class - "P"
The first character(s) in a tire size designate
the tire's class. In this example, "P" indicates
that the tire is a passenger car tire. An "LT"
before the tire size designates a light truck
tire, and no letter before the size indicates
that it is a European metric tire.
Section Width - "205"
A metric tire's section width is measured in
millimeters. This measurement is taken from
sidewall to sidewall. In this example, the
section width of the tire is 205mm.
Aspect
Ratio - "65"
This number refers to the height of the
sidewall. It is a percentage of the section
width. In this example, 65 percent of the
section width of 205mm equals 133.25.
Tire
Construction - "R"
The "R" in this example indicates radial tire
construction.
Wheel
Diameter - "16"
This indicates the wheel diameter in inches.
Learn More About Tire Dimensions
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Size (High Flotation) |
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Diameter - "35"
The first number indicates the tire's diameter
in inches. In this example, the tire
manufacturer has determined that this is a 35"
tire. However, actual measured overall diameters
vary from one manufacturer to the next.
Tire
Width - "1250"
Standard tire width is indicated in inches with
the decimal point removed. Therefore, in this
example, the number 1250 indicates that this
tire is 12.5" wide.
Tire
Construction - "R"
The "R" in this example indicates radial tire
construction.
Wheel
Diameter - "17"
This indicates the wheel diameter in inches.
Plies
- "E"
The last letter in a standard tire size
indicates the number of layers used in the
construction of the tire. If there is no letter,
the tire has the standard 4 plies. A "C"
indicates 6 plies, a "D" indicates 8 plies, and
an "E" indicates 10 plies. The higher the number
of plies in a tire, the stronger the tire is and
the more air pressure the tire can safely hold.
Higher ply tires require more air pressure to
maintain proper wear. |
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Load Index & Speed Rating |
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Load
Index - "92"
The load index indicates the maximum amount of
weight a tire can safely carry. Load index
ranges from 0 to 279 and corresponds with the
load-carrying capacity of a tire. Passenger car
tire load indices typically range from 75 to
105. It is very important to maintain the proper
load index for your vehicle when replacing your
tires. See our load index chart for more
information.
Speed
Rating - "H"
A tire receives its speed rating from the U.S.
Government by meeting minimum standards for
reaching and sustaining a specified speed. In
general, a higher speed rating will result in
better vehicle handling. See our speed rating
page for more information and a list of the
various speed ratings.
Learn More About Speed Ratings |
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U.S. DOT & Safety Standard
Markings |
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DOT
The "DOT" marking indicates that the tire meets
or exceeds the U.S. Department of
Transportation's safety standard for tires.
Manufacturer
Plant Code - "CC"
The first two letters following the DOT marking
are codes to identify the manufacturer of the
tire and the manufacturing plant.
Tire Size - "9L"
The third and fourth characters following the
DOT marking are codes representing the tire
size.
Brand
Characteristics - "YYY"
The final three or four letters are codes
representing other significant characteristics
of the tire as determined by the manufacturer.
Manufacture Week
- "11"
The first pair of digits identifies the week the
tire was manufactured. In this case, the tire
was manufactured in the 11th week. The number 01
would indicate the first week of January,
whereas the number 52 would indicate the last
week of December.
Manufacture Year
- "05"
The second pair of digits identifies the year
that the tire was manufactured, in this case
2005. |
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Treadwear, Traction & Temperature |
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Treadwear - "520"
The treadwear rating is a measurement of the
tire's durability, but not the projected tread
life. It is important to remember that road
surfaces, driving habits, and other factors
determine actual tread life. Each tire
manufacturer independently determines treadwear
through their own tests. Treadwear is not based
on any one industry or government standard.
Traction - "A"
The traction rating is a measurement of a tire's
ability to stop on a straight, wet surface under
controlled conditions. It does not indicate the
tire's cornering ability on a wet surface or its
traction on ice or snow. Traction grades include
AA, A, B, and C, with AA being the highest grade
available.
Temperature - "A"
The temperature rating is a measurement of a
tire's resistance to heat generation under
normal operating conditions at recommended
inflation pressures. Temperature grades range
from A to C, with A being highest rated and
therefore most resistant to heat generation.
Learn More About Treadwear,
Traction & Temperature Ratings |
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Maximum Load Limit & Air Pressure |
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Maximum Load Limit - "635 kg [1400 lbs]"
This indicates the tire's maximum load-carrying
capabilities when the tire is inflated to its
maximum inflation pressure, as indicated on the
sidewall. Max load is based on standards set by
the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
Maximum Air Pressure - "300 kPa [44 psi]"
This indicates the maximum operating inflation
pressure of the tire. It does not indicate the
manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure,
nor does it indicate the proper air pressure
based on the vehicle the tire is mounted on.
This category is also based on NHTSA standards.
Note - Some tires are marked 'Extra Load', 'XL',
or 'RF' (for reinforced). This simply denotes
that the tire's indicated maximum load and air
pressure are higher than a standard load tire. |
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Rotation Direction |
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Some tires indicate the direction of rotation on
the sidewall, while others indicate a specific
side of the tire that is intended to face
outward from the vehicle. Another type of tire
combines both indications. It is important that
these tires be mounted according to the
indicated instructions.
Directional Tires
Directional tires feature arrows on the sidewall
that indicate what direction the tire should
rotate when the vehicle is moving forward.
Asymmetrical Tires
Asymmetrical tires have the word "outside"
labeled on the side of the tire that should face
outward from the vehicle.
Directional & Asymmetrical
Tires
Tires that are both directional and asymmetrical
will indicate what direction the tire must
rotate, as well as what side must face outward
from the vehicle. |
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