Mercedes-Benz C-Class Owners Manual: Determining the maximum permissible load

The following steps have been developed as required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575, pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".

• Step 1: locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and load should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." ("The combined weight of occupants and load should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.") on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard.
• Step 2: determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be traveling in your vehicle.
• Step 3: subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
• Step 4: the resulting figure equals the permissible cargo and luggage load capacity. For example: If "XXX" equals 1400 lbs and there are five occupants in your vehicle with a weight of 150 lbs each, the maximum cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
• Step 5: determine the combined weight of luggage and load that the vehicle will be carrying.

  For safety reasons, this weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.

Even if you have calculated the total load carefully, you should still make sure that the maximum permissible gross mass and the maximum permissible axle load of your vehicle are not exceeded. Details can be found on the vehicle identification plate.

• Have your loaded vehicle - including driver, occupants and load - weighed on a vehicle weighbridge.

  The measured values may not exceed the maximum permissible values stated on the vehicle identification plate.

Further related subjects:

• Calculation example for determining the maximum load
• Tire and Loading Information placard
• Tire pressure table
• Vehicle identification plate