Mercedes Benz 2003 c 320 User Manual

339

Technical data

Consumer information

Consumer information

The following text is published as required 
of all manufacturers of passenger cars un-
der Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regula-
tions, Part 575 pursuant to the “National 
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 
1966”.

Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread 
shoulder and maximum section width. For 
example:

All passenger car tires must conform to 
federal safety requirements in addition to 
these grades.

The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when 
tested under controlled conditions on a 
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one 
and one-half (

1

/

2

) times as well on the 

government course as a tire graded 100. 
The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, 
however, and may depart significantly 
from the norm due to variations in driving 
habits, service practices and differences in 
road characteristics and climate.

The traction grades, from highest to lowest 
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test 
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire 
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.

Tread wear

Traction

Temperature

200

AA

A

G

The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, 
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction 
characteristics.