277 Operation
Tires and wheels
Summer tires
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a
“ZR” in the size designation (for exam-
ple: 245/40 ZR18). To determine the
maximum speed capability of the tire,
the service description for the tire must
be referred to. The service description is comprised of the tire load rating5
(
page 274) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 274).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 274) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed
capability.
If a service description5 and6
(
page 274) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).
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 parenthesis
designates the maximum speed capa-
bility of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)
Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)
Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)
Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
(Y)above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZRabove 149 mph (240 km/h)
279 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations require each new tire
manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a
TIN into or onto a sidewall of each tire
produced.
The TIN is a unique identifier which facili-
tates efforts by tire manufactures to notify
purchasers in recall situations or other
safety matters concerning tires and gives
purchasers the means to easily identify
such tires.
The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s
identification mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type
code” and “Date of manufacture”.1DOT
2Manufacturer’s identification mark
3Tire size
4Tire type code (at the option of the tire
manufacturer)
5Date of manufactureDOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol1 (
page 279)
which denotes the tire meets require-
ments of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
(
page 279) denotes the tire
manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires, see (
page 258).
Tire size
The code3 (
page 279) indicates the
tire size.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
286 Operation
Tires and wheels
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
287 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating tires
Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles
with tires of the same dimension all
around. If your vehicle is equipped with
tires of the same dimension all around,
tires can be rotated, observing a
front-to-rear rotation pattern that will
maintain the intended rotation (spinning)
direction of the tire (
page 261).In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 261).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 362).
!A wheel change should only be carried out
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Other-
wise there is a danger of damaging the vehicle by
jacking it up incorrectly.
Warning!G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs.
rear), tire rotation is not possible.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
95 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use Genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
291 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
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.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
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized 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.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 85) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible with
tire sizes:
255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL
295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL
295/35 ZR18 (99Y)
329 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
TReduced
brake effect
Depress brake
pedal fully!The electro-hydraulic brake
system is in emergency opera-
tion mode. Considerably great-
er brake pedal force is required
and the pedal travel is longer.
The stopping distance is in-
creased. If necessary, apply full
pressure to the brake pedal.
The maximum speed is limited
to 55 mph (90 km/h).Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 55).
Do not drive any further.
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking the
wheels with wheel chocks or other sizeable objects.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
or
Call for Roadside Assistance.
Warning!G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 370).
382 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren:
Turbine-style10-spoke-style*
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)9 J x 199 J x 18
Wheel offset1.83 in (46.5 mm)1.77 in (45 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL1245/40 ZR18 (93Y)
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)111/2 J x 19111/2 J x 18
Wheel offset1.73 in (44 mm)1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL1295/35 ZR18 (99Y)1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
!Only use Michelin tires of the sizes and
types noted above. They are the only tires
approved for use on the Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren. Use of tires not specially approved for
the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren could result in
unanticipated performance characteristics. For
more information, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
383 Technical data
Rims and tires
Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
722 Edition:
Lightweight-style
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)9 J x 19
Wheel offset1.83 in (46.5 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL1
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)111/2 J x 19
Wheel offset1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
!Only use Michelin tires of the sizes and
types noted above. They are the only tires
approved for use on the Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren 722 Edition. Use of tires not specially
approved for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
722 Edition could result in unanticipated perfor-
mance characteristics. For more information,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.