Page 305 of 480

304 OperationTires and wheels
Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identification
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the
tires you use show M+S and the moun-
tain/snowflake symbol.marking
on the tire sidewall. These tires meet
specific snow traction performance re-
quirements of the Rubber Manufactur-
ers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.
Page 316 of 480

315 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 451).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started and the
electro-hydraulic brake system will be
fully operational even at low ambient
temperatures.
Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake sym-
bol.marking on the tire sidewall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and
have been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions. Use of winter tires is the
only way to achieve the maximum effec-
tiveness of the ABS and ESP
® in winter op-
eration.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Page 317 of 480

316 OperationWinter drivingAlways observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iBlock heater not available for
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG.
Page 318 of 480

317 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow. Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.
Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select setting 1 of the level control sys-
tem (
page 220). Other settings may
result in damage to your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 86) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel and with tire
size:
285/35 R18 97W
285/35 R18 97Y
285/35 ZR18 97Y
285/35 R18 97Y MOExtended
285/35 R18 97V M+S .
MOExtended
285/30 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)
Page 358 of 480
357 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure monitor
currently
unavailable
The TPMS is unable to monitor the tire
pressure due to
a nearby radio interference source.
excessive wheel sensor tempera-
tures.
As soon as the causes for the malfunction
are no longer present, the TPMS
automatically becomes active again after a
few minutes driving.
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for a
a few minutes
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.
Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire pressure monitor
inoperative
No wheel sensors
There are wheels without wheel sen-
sors mounted (e.g. winter tires).
Have the TPMS checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 436 of 480

435 Technical data
Rims and tires
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A placard with
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have sup-
plemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds
(page 292) or for vehicle loads less
than the maximum loaded vehicle con-
dition (
page 292). If such information
is provided, it can be found on the plac-
ard located on the inside of the fuel fill-
er flap. The tire inflation pressure
should be checked regularly and
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with
vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the ap-
proved wheel rim and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicles with winter
tires. Winter tires are not available as
standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the
standard or optional factory-equipped
wheel rim/tire configuration on your
vehicle (Performance Package, Sport
Package etc.), equipping your vehicle
with winter tires approved for your ve-
hicle model may also require the pur-
chase of two or four wheel rims of the
recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more infor-
mation.
Page 437 of 480
436 Technical dataRims and tiresSame size tires
17" tires
18" tires
SL 500* (Canada only)
Rims (light alloy)
8.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
255/45 R17 98W
Winter tires
1,2
2Not available as factory equipment.
255/45 R17 98V M+S .SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8.5 J x 18 H2
8.5 J x 18 H2
8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
-
-
-
Winter tires
1,2
2Not available as factory equipment.
255/40 R18 95V M+S .
255/40 R18 95V M+S .
255/40 R18 95V M+S .
Page 438 of 480
437 Technical data
Rims and tires
19" tires
SL 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8.5 J x 19 EH2
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires
-
Winter tires
1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
255/35 R19 96V XL (Extra Load) M+S .