
245 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tire speed rating
CL 500 and CL 600:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “H”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
Vehicles with Sport Package:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from 
exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
CL 55 AMG:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 188 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from 
exceeding a speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be 
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to 
prevailing conditions.Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended 
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject. 
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow 
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions. 
Always select option I or II of the level control system 
when driving with snow chains, see page 276.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered 
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). 
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on 
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control 
switch to OFF, refer to page 273.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes 
245 / 45 R18 or 275 / 40 R18.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a 
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed 
rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are 
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of 
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury 
and possible death. 

272 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer 
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch 
position 2. It should go out with the engine running.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, a malfunction 
has been detected in the system. Only partial engine 
output will be available.
Have the ESP checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 303.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched 
off.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the 
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP 
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer 
d ia l com es on). For t his reason, al l wh eels, inclu ding  the  
spare wheel, must have the same tire size. When testing the parking brake on a brake test 
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise, 
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the 
rear wheel brakes. 
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended 
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery 
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning message may 
be displayed with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to 
the right. The ESP warning message should go out. 

337 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation, 
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. 
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further 
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
information on tested and recommended rims and tires 
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer 
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front and rear tires should be replaced in sets. Rims 
and tires must be of the correct size and type. For 
dimensions, see “Technical Data”.
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx. 
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be 
fastened to a tightening torque of 110 ft.lb. (150 Nm) 
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread 
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained 
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the 
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in 
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident. 

338 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Rotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of 
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as 
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the 
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front 
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes 
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time 
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread 
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics 
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and 
d ama ge to th e tire bead s. For t his reason, ch eck rims for 
damage at regular intervals. The rim f langes must be 
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove 
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after 
rotating the wheels. For tire inf lation pressure see 
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 345.Spare wheel
Spare wheel CL 500 and CL 600 
(except Sport Package)
Important!
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a full size tire of 
the same type as on the vehicle, and is fully functional. 
However, that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and 
has a limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
use before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the 
spare wheel.
Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare wheel 
mounted.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries. 

339 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel CL 55 AMG and Sport Package
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2 with tire size 
225/55 R17 97H.
The spare wheel rim is weight optimized and has a 
limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) use 
before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the 
spare wheel, when observing the following restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the 
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare 
wheel mounted.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction 
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare 
wheel, observe the following restriction:
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow 
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward 
movement.For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use 
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) 
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure 
leading to an accident and possible injuries.The dimensions of the spare wheel are different 
from those of the road wheels. As a result, the 
vehicle handling characteristics change when 
driving with a mounted spare wheel.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily, 
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as 
possible.