Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 362
Preparing the vehicle ................... 362
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 362
Batteries ............................................ 367
Charging the batteries ................. 368
Towing the vehicle ............................. 370
Installing/reinstalling towing
eye bolt ........................................ 372
Points to bear in mind .................. 372
Transporting the vehicle............... 372
Fuses ................................................. 373
Technical data................................. 374
Spare parts service ............................ 376
Warranty coverage............................. 377
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 377
Identification labels ........................... 378
Engine number ............................. 378
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 379
Engine................................................ 380Rims and tires .................................... 381
Mixed size tires ............................. 382
Winter tires* ................................. 384
Electrical system ................................ 386
Main dimensions ................................ 387
Weights .............................................. 388
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 389
Capacities ..................................... 389
Engine oils .................................... 391
Engine oil additives ....................... 391
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 391
Brake fluid..................................... 392
Premium unleaded gasoline .......... 392
Fuel requirements ......................... 393
Gasoline additives......................... 393
Coolants ....................................... 394
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system............ 397
Technical terms............................... 398
Index................................................. 404
258 Operation
Tires and wheels
For safety reasons, only use tires and rims
which have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on SLR vehicles.
Contact an 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.Important guidelines
For the first 100 miles (160 km) avoid
high-speed cornering. Do not exceed a
speed of 125 mph (200 km/h).
1
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
Warning!G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.
The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Have worn or damaged tires replaced in
pairs (front pair or rear pair) an make sure
the tires rotate in the direction specified
(
page 261). Otherwise, the driving stabili-
ty of the vehicle will be adversely affected,
especially when driving at high speeds.
When replacing rims, only use 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.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.
!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.
1Please always drive carefully and obey applicable
speed limits.
274 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire labeling
Besides tire name (sales designation) and
manufacturer name, a number of markings
can be found on a tire.
Following are some explanations for the
markings on your vehicle’s tires:1Uniform Quality Grading Standards
(
page 281)
2DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
(
page 279)
3Maximum tire load (
page 280)
4Maximum tire inflation pressure
(
page 281)
5Manufacturer
6Tire ply material (
page 283)
7Tire size designation, load and speed
rating (
page 274)
8Load identification (
page 278)
9Tire nameTire size designation, load and speed
rating
1Tire width
2Aspect ratio in %
3Radial tire code
4Rim diameter
5Tire load rating
6Tire speed rating
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 381).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires is specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
276 Operation
Tires and wheels
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(
page 278).Tire speed rating
The tire speed rating6 (page 274)
indicates the approved maximum speed
for the tire.Warning!G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 284) of your vehi-
cle. Otherwise tire failure may be the result
which may cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard located
on the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
iTire load rating5 (page 274) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 274) are also referred
to as “service description”.
Warning!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
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
iTire load rating5 (page 274) and tire
speed rating6 (
page 274) are also referred
to as “service description”.
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.
Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
381 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!For safety reasons, only use tires and rims
which have been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on SLR vehicles. Tires
approved by Mercedes-Benz are developed to
provide best possible performance in conjunc-
tion with the driving safety systems on your
vehicle such as ABS or ESP
®.
!Using tires and rims other than those ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental
effects, such as
Poor handling characteristics
Increased noise
Increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
This may result in damage to the tires or the
vehicle.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. A placard with the recommended tire infla-
tion pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire pressure information for driving at high
speeds (
page 268) or for vehicle loads less
than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. If
such information is provided, it can be found on
the placard located on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. The tire pressure should be checked regu-
larly and should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
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.