Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 Tires

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 was sold from 2006 through 2012 as a luxury crossover-style people mover with the road manners of a passenger car and the weight, packaging, and wheel options that make tire selection more involved than it first appears. Built during a period when large Mercedes platforms were offered with several wheel packages, Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 can show meaningful differences in tire sizing from one year to another and even within the same model year. The main challenge is that the platform used several rim diameters across its production run rather than one universal setup. Before choosing a tire, confirm the wheel diameter actually fitted to the vehicle first, then match the correct year-specific size.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 Tire Size Guide

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 used four distinct tire sizes from 2006 to 2012, and the rim diameter changed during production from 17-inch wheels to 18-, 19-, and 20-inch wheels, with the first change appearing in 2006 alongside larger wheel options. All four sizes use modern metric radial sizing, so the first number is the section width in millimeters, the second is the aspect ratio, and the final number is the rim diameter in inches. Because several wheel packages overlap by year, the wheel on the vehicle matters just as much as the model year.

235/65R172006-2007Metric radial

235/65R17 fits Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 models from 2006 through 2007 equipped with the 17-inch wheel package. The size code indicates a 235 mm section width, a 65-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the vehicle still carries its smaller original wheel package and verify the wheel itself before selecting any replacement tire.

255/55R182006-2010Metric radial

255/55R18 fits Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 models from 2006 through 2010 using the 18-inch wheel package. The code means a 255 mm section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for vehicles equipped with 18-inch wheels, especially in years where multiple sizes were offered side by side.

255/50R192006-2012Metric radial

255/50R19 is the longest-running Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 size, appearing from 2006 through 2012 on vehicles fitted with 19-inch wheels. The code denotes a 255 mm section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 19-inch rim diameter. Choose this size only when the vehicle has the 19-inch wheel setup, since it overlaps with other sizes in several years.

265/45R202008, 2011-2012Metric radial

265/45R20 fits Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 models in 2008 and again from 2011 through 2012 when equipped with the 20-inch wheel package. The code identifies a 265 mm section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim diameter. Choose this size for vehicles wearing the largest factory wheel option, and do not assume it belongs on every later model year without checking the wheels first.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 buyers looking at 2006, 2007, or 2008 should identify the exact wheel package before selecting a tire, because those years split across 17-, 18-, 19-, and 20-inch rim diameters.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 Tires by Year

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 production used 17-inch, 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch wheels from 2006 onward, so confirm which rim diameter the specific vehicle carries before selecting a tire. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, more than two sizes are listed, which points to different wheel-package configurations within the same model year. Use the year listing to narrow the choices, then match the size to the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ below focuses on the overlapping wheel-package sizes used on Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350, how to identify the correct rim diameter for a specific year, and what to check when several metric radial sizes appear for the same model year.

Size Basics & Fitment

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 uses four tire sizes across the 2006 to 2012 production span: 235/65R17 for 2006-2007, 255/55R18 for 2006-2010, 255/50R19 for 2006-2012, and 265/45R20 for 2008 and 2011-2012. Each size is tied to a specific wheel diameter, respectively 17, 18, 19, and 20 inches, and the overlap means more than one size can be correct within the same model year.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is not enough on Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350. Check the tire sidewall currently on the vehicle, confirm the wheel diameter directly, and then match the replacement size to that wheel rather than assuming every R350 from a given year used the same package.

A 2006 Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 can correctly appear with 235/65R17, 255/55R18, or 255/50R19 because that model year was offered with multiple wheel-package configurations. The split is a rim-diameter split rather than a construction split, since all of the listed sizes are radial tires but they fit different wheel diameters.

That means the right choice depends on the actual wheels fitted to your Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 today. If the vehicle has changed hands, had wheels swapped, or has optional equipment, measure the wheel or read the existing sidewall before replacing anything so you stay with the correct 17-, 18-, or 19-inch fitment.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 used several rim diameters during its 2006-2012 run: 17-inch wheels with 235/65R17, 18-inch wheels with 255/55R18, 19-inch wheels with 255/50R19, and 20-inch wheels with 265/45R20. The model did not move in a simple one-direction progression, because multiple wheel diameters were available in the same years and the 20-inch size appears in both 2008 and 2011-2012.

Wheel diameter is the first fitment point to verify on Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 because none of these sizes interchange safely on the wrong rim. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the correct tire size usually becomes straightforward, especially when cross-checking it against the year-specific listing.

On Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350, 255/50R19 means the tire is 255 millimeters wide, uses a 50-series aspect ratio, has radial construction, and fits a 19-inch wheel. It is the broadest year-span fitment in the range, appearing from 2006 through 2012 on vehicles equipped with the 19-inch wheel package.

That decoding matters because a metric radial size carries both dimensional and wheel information in one line. If your Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 currently wears 19-inch wheels, this size may be correct, but it should still be matched to the exact wheel package on the vehicle rather than chosen simply because it appears across many years.

Buying the Right Tire

A 2008 Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 can use 255/55R18, 255/50R19, or 265/45R20, so the correct choice depends on which wheel package the vehicle actually has. All three are radial sizes, but each requires a different rim diameter and none should be treated as interchangeable without changing wheels.

Start by reading the size on the current tire sidewall and then confirm that it matches the wheel diameter on the vehicle. If the wheels have ever been changed, the safest approach is to verify the wheel itself first and then use the year listing as a cross-check rather than as the only identifier.

Maintenance & Longevity

A stored Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Clean tires and proper inflation matter because a heavy crossover can develop flat-spotting or sidewall stress more quickly when it sits for extended periods.

Move the Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 periodically or slightly change its resting position to avoid loading the same contact patch month after month. If the vehicle will sit for a long season, checking inflation regularly and keeping it off contaminated concrete or petroleum exposure will help preserve the tires' shape and casing condition.

Tires on a Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 should be inspected before regular road use and at set intervals even if the vehicle is driven only occasionally. Look for cracking, bulges, impact damage, uneven wear, punctures, and signs that the tire size on the vehicle does not match the wheel package expected for that specific setup.

A practical routine is to inspect the tires at the start of each driving month and again before longer trips. Because Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 was offered with several wheel diameters, inspection time is also a good moment to confirm that the sidewall size and the wheel on the vehicle still match what you intend to run.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, impact damage, vibration, air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if tread depth still looks serviceable. Collector and low-mileage vehicles often age their tires out before they wear them out, and visible tread alone is not a reliable measure of whether an older tire remains roadworthy.

If a Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 has sat for long periods or has unknown service history, have the tires evaluated with age and condition in mind rather than mileage alone. Replacement should be guided by overall casing health, not just appearance, especially on a heavier vehicle where tire loads and heat matter in everyday road use.

Safety & Road Use

A correctly sized tire in sound condition can be appropriate for driving a Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 on public roads, but safety depends on more than the listed size alone. The tire must match the actual wheel diameter, be free from age-related deterioration or damage, and be suitable for the vehicle's real operating condition.

For Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350, the biggest safety risk in this size range is choosing the wrong fitment because several rim diameters overlap by year. Confirm the wheel size, inspect the tire condition carefully, and avoid using any aged or questionable tire simply because the size markings appear to match.

Before driving a Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350, check inflation, visible tire condition, tread wear pattern, valve condition, and whether all four tires match the intended wheel package. Also confirm that the size on the sidewall corresponds to the wheel diameter actually fitted, since this model used 17-, 18-, 19-, and 20-inch setups.

That pre-drive check is especially important on a vehicle that sees occasional use, because underinflation, age cracking, and prior wheel changes are easy to miss in the garage. A few minutes spent verifying the tires can prevent vibration, handling issues, and outright fitment mistakes once the Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 is back on the road.

A Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 should only be driven at speeds appropriate to the actual tire fitted, its condition, and the overall mechanical state of the vehicle. The correct size alone does not set a safe speed, because age, wear, inflation, and whether the tire is a modern service tire or an older carryover installation all matter just as much.

For real-world use, treat tire condition as the deciding factor and keep speeds conservative until the tires have been closely inspected. If there is any doubt about age, previous storage, or structural health on Mercedes-Benz Trucks R350 tires, limit use until the set has been professionally evaluated or replaced.