Page 339 of 481

338 OperationTires and wheelsAll-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identificationIn addition to tire load rating, special load
information may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating
the tire speed rating1 (
page 338).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
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.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers
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 349 of 481

348 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:
Checking anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Adding 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 456).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure the engine can be started, 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.marking on
the tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Using
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP
® in winter operation.For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires mounted to 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.!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.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Page 350 of 481

349 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 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.
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.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 85) 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 permit-
ted with the collapsible tire and
MOExtended tires in general, and/or
the following tire sizes:
225/45 R17
245/40 R17
225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Page 441 of 481
440 Technical dataRims and tires
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 (Sport Package etc.), equipping
your vehicle with winter tires approved
for your vehicle model may also require
the purchase 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 442 of 481
441 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tiresModel
SLK 280
SLK 280
SLK 350
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
-
-
Rims (light alloy)
-
-
Wheel offset
-
-
Winter tires
1,2
2Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S.
225/45 R17 91H M+S.
Rims (light alloy)
7Jx16H2
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
Winter tires*
1,2,3
3Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.
225/45 R17 91H M+S.MOExtended
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.42 in (36 mm)
Page 443 of 481
442 Technical dataRims and tiresModel
SLK 280 (Sport Package*)
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)
SLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
-
-
Rims (light alloy)
-
-
Wheel offset
-
-
Winter tires
1,2,3
2Not available as factory equipment.3For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
205/50 R17 89H M+S.
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S.
225/40 R18 92H XL (Extra Load) M+S.
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x 17 H2
7.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Page 469 of 481

468 IndexDriver’s door
Locking in an emergency 395
Unlocking in an emergency 394
Driving 53
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 296
Fuel saving 293
Hydroplaning 297
In winter 299
Instructions 47, 293
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 300
Tires 297
Traveling abroad 301
Driving safety systems 82
ABS 82
BAS 83
ESP
®
84E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 43, 148
Electric air pump 391
Electric air pump (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Electrical system (Technical data) 446
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 243
Emergency call system 273
Tele Aid 275
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* 172
Releasing trunk lid from inside 100
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 280
Retractable hardtop 397
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 396
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 394
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 302, 436
Engine
Cleaning see Vehicle care
Compartment 307
Driving after replacement 292
Number 436, 458
Technical data 438
Turning off 61Engine oil 308, 451
Adding 312
Additives 451
Checking level (Control system) 309
Checking level (Dipstick) 311
Consumption 308
Display message 310
Viscosity 458
ESP
®
84, 458
Display message 371
Warning lamp 365
ETD 73, 74, 459
Safety guidelines 68
Seat belt force limiter 74
Exterior lamp switch 110
Exterior lighting
Lamps 401
Replacing bulbs 401
Exterior rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Page 478 of 481

477 Index
Removing wheel 415
Retreads 317
Rims and tires 439
Rotating 347
Run Flat Indicator* 329
Service life 318
Sizes 439
Snow chains 349
Spare wheel 391
Speed rating 298
Storing 319
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 304
Temperature 343
Traction 298
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 297
Wear pattern 347
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Winter 348
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 426
Traction 163, 346Transmission, display message 372
Transporting the vehicle 89
Traveling abroad 301
Tread 346
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators 297, 346
Trip computer menu (Control
system) 149
Trunk 98
Cargo compartment cover 253
Lighting 118
Trunk lid emergency release 100
Trunk lid lock 395
Unlocking with SmartKey 96
Turn signals 55, 401
Additional in mirrors 401
TWI see Treadwear indicatorsU
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 346
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 102
In an emergency 280
With SmartKey 34
Upholstery
Cleaning 360
Useful features
Ashtray 269
Cigarette lighter 270
Cup holder 268
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 271
Garage door opener* 281
Heated steering wheel* 288
Parcel net 267
Power outlet 271
Storage compartments, interior 266
Tele Aid 273
Telephone* 272