Tires - Original Tire Warranty

REF. NO. MBNA 40/27A

DATE: May 1996 (supercedes S.I. MBNA 40/27, October 1995)

TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

Revision:
The Damage Code has been changed to 2744496. Please use this new Damage Code when submitting warranty claims for original replacement tires as of April 1, 1996 (See Administrative Message No. 118, dated 3/22/96). Please remove from the previously issued Service Information 40/27 and insert the revised information.

SUBJECT:
MODEL YEAR 1996
WARRANTY FOR ORIGINAL TIRES

Beginning with model year 1996 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz of North America will include tires under the Mercedes-Benz New Car Limited Warranty. The tires with which new model year 1996 and forward Mercedes-Benz vehicles are originally equipped, are covered against defects in material or workmanship for the Mercedes-Benz New Car Limited Warranty period of 4 years and/or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the date-of-delivery or when the car was put in service.

The warranty covers defects in material or workmanship arising down to a minimum of 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) of tread depth remaining over the entire tread surface. No warranty coverage is applicable to tires with a tread depth less than 2/32 inch (1.6 mm). Tire damage arising from road hazards is not covered under the warranty nor is tread wear...no mileage warranty is extended and is specifically disclaimed in the warranty.

Under the terms of this warranty, a dealer may authorize replacement of up to a total of two tires per vehicle per repair order. Higher quantities require tire manufacturer authorization. Ride and vibration complaints always require prior authorization from the respective tire manufacturer.

If a tire is determined to be covered under the terms of the Mercedes-Benz New Car Limited Warranty, the vehicle owner is entitled to have the tire replaced at no charge. The replacement tire is to be obtained from one of the tire manufacturer's local authorized retail outlets.

We encourage you to make contact with your tire manufacturer's local authorized retail outlet to establish a working relationship in advance. This will ensure no delays are encountered when a vehicle owner needs assistance.

DEALER PROCEDURES

1. Determine whether or not the affected tire has a defect covered by the warranty.

- If technical assistance is required, we recommend that you consult with the tire manufacturer's local authorized retail outlet.

- If more than two tires are to be replaced or if the complaint is ride/vibration related, you must contact the tire manufacturer for authorization (see telephone listing for respective tire manufacturer representative).

2. Completely fill out the Mercedes-Benz Tire Requisition Form (sample included). Please order copies of this form via MB-Net, order number S-0648-095.

3. Contact tire manufacturer's local authorized retail outlet to determine if the applicable tire is in stock.

- If the tire is not immediately available from the local retail outlet, in most cases, the tire will be shipped directly to your dealership within four days. Two day shipment is available upon request.

4. Obtain replacement tire from tire manufacturer's local authorized retail outlet.

- If the tire being removed has a defect covered by the warranty:

- Provide tire retail outlet with a fully completed copy of the MB Tire Requisition Form.

- Complete any documentation required by the tire manufacturer at the tire retail outlet to expedite the respective billing transaction. The tire will then be provided at no charge.

Retain completed documentation for subsequent warranty tire return to the tire manufacturer.

- If the tire being removed has no defect covered by the warranty, the replacement tire can be purchased from the tire manufacturer's retail outlet and the vehicle owner charged accordingly.

5. If the tire has a defect covered by the warranty, using a tire marking crayon, mark the area of the tire to indicate the basis for the claim (this does not apply to ride and vibration complaints), and return tire prepaid to the corresponding tire manufacturer's inspection center along with a copy of the Mercedes-Benz Tire Requisition Form and any additional documentation required by the tire manufacturer and provided by the retail outlet (see Tire Return Locations for inspection center locations). Also, please mark the Mercedes-Benz R.O. # on the sidewall of the tire.

6. Do not return tires without defects covered by the warranty to the tire manufacturer's inspection center. Such tires returned to the tire manufacturer's inspection centers will incur an additional cost for proper disposal.

7. Tire Coverage Guidelines (illustrations some of defects not covered by the warranty) illustrated in this S.I. In addition, Technical Training will provide all dealers with an instructional video tape by early November.

8. In case of warranty, submit claim to MBNA for labor only, plus shipping sublet.

9. Reason for tire replacement must be provided in the text field of the warranty claim. The authorization number obtained from the tire manufacturer must also be included in the text field of the warranty claim. Claims for ride and vibration complaints, or more than two tires without an authorization number, will be rejected.

Warranty Claim Submission Warranty

Telephone numbers for technical assistance and/or authorizations.
Bridgestone/Firestone - 1-800-847-3272
Continental/General- - 1-800-338-6186
Goodyear - 1-800-321-2136
Michelin - 1-800-887-0662
Pirelli - 1-800-327-2442

Tire Coverage Guidelines (Illustrations of some defects not covered by the warranty).

Cut
- Sidewall (Fig. 1)
- Tread (Fig. 2)
- Carcass (Fig. 3)
Rim Bruise (Impact Damage)
- Outside (Fig. 4)
- Inside (Fig. 5)
Puncture
- Sidewall
- Tread (Fig. 6)
- Carcass (Fig. 7)
Incorrect Inflation
- Tread/Wear (Fig. 8)
- Carcass (Fig. 9)
Bead Distortion
- Mounting Damage (Fig. 10)
- Rim Damage (Fig. 11)
Curbed/Snagged (Fig. 12)
Incorrect Alignment/Inflation Wear (Fig. 13)
Tire Distortion (Fig. 14)
Solvent Damage (Fig. 15)