2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 tire size

356 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 294) or, if
available, the tire inflation pressure label on
the inside of the fuel filler flap (
page 279).
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Load-
ing Information placard or, if available, the
tire inflation pressure label, you should de-
termine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.

418 Practical hints
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 417).
Turn spare wheel bracket counter-
clockwise to loosen.
Take the spare wheel out of the trunk
(
page 401).
Removing tensioning straps
(vehicles with 19" spare wheel only)
A 19" spare wheel has two tensioning
straps on it that must both be removed be-
fore mounting the spare wheel.1Buckle
2Clip
Press on both clips 2 simultaneously
to release buckle 1.Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizeable
objects.
When changing wheel on a level
surface:
Place one wheel chock or other
sizeable object in front of and
another wheel chock or sizeable
object behind the wheel that is
diagonally opposite to the wheel
being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the
jack on a level surface. However,
should circumstances require you to do
so on a hill, place a wheel chock or
other sizeable object and the other
wheel chock or sizeable object as
follows:
Place wheel chocks or other size-
able objects on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.
iThe tensioning straps are shown in red for
illustration purposes. The tensioning straps on
the spare wheel of your vehicle are black.iKeep the tensioning straps in a safe place.
You will need them to store the spare wheel in
the trunk after use (
page 402).

424 Practical hints
Flat tire
Detach the electric air pump.
Stow the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until the full weight of the
vehicle is resting on the ground.
Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.1 - 5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1 to 5), until all bolts
are tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Warning!G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard 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.
iThe flat tire may be transported in the trunk
when the retractable hardtop is raised. If avail-
able, use a protective sheet on the spare wheel.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).


426 Practical hints
Flat tire
Warning!G
In emergency mode, your vehicle’s driving
characteristics are diminished in such situa-
tions as:

driving around curves

while braking

while accelerating rapidly
Therefore, your driving style must be adapt-
ed accordingly. Avoid abrupt steering and
driving maneuvers, as well as driving over
obstacles (road curbs, potholes, or off-road
areas). This is especially important if the ve-
hicle is heavily loaded.
The emergency driving distance that can be
achieved greatly depends on the demands
placed on the vehicle. Depending on speed,
load, driving maneuvers, road conditions,
outside temperature, etc., the distance can
be significantly shorter or, if the vehicle is
driven cautiously, somewhat longer.
Do not continue driving in emergency mode
if

you notice knocking sounds

the vehicle starts to shake

smoke develops and you smell rubber

ESP® is intervening continuously

you notice tears on the tire sidewalls
After driving in emergency mode, you must
have the rims inspected by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to check if they are
suitable for further use. The failed tire must
be replaced in any case.
iWhen replacing individual or all tires on the
vehicle, make sure only matching tires marked
with “MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle (
page 449).

449 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires

MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires (applicable to selected tire sizes only)

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system” (
page 312).
!Using tires other than those approved 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.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 301) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 301). If such information is provided, it
can be found on the placard located on the
inside of the fuel filler flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Performance Package,
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 information.

450 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelSL 550SL 600
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x 18 H28.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.38 in (35 mm)1.38 in (35 mm)
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
255/40 R18 95V M+S.
or
255/40 R18 95V M+S.MOExtended
3
3Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles), Run Flat Indicator (Canada vehicles), or Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Canada vehicles) only.
255/40 R18 95V M+S.
or
255/40 R18 95V M+S.MOExtended
3
ModelSL 55 AMGSL 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x 18 H28.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
255/40 R18 95V M+S.255/35 R19 96V XL (Extra Load) M+S.

451 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
ModelSL 550SL 600
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)8.5 J x 18 H28.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.38 in (35 mm)1.38 in (35 mm)
Summer tires1
1Radial-ply tires
255/40 R18 95W
or
255/40 R18 95Y MOExtended
2
2Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles), Run Flat Indicator (Canada vehicles), or Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* (Canada vehicles) only.
255/40 R18 95Y
or
255/40 R18 95Y MOExtended
2
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)9.5 J x 18 H29.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.57 in (40 mm)1.57 in (40 mm)
Summer tires1,3
3Must not be used with snow chains.
285/35 R18 97W
or
285/35 R18 97Y MOExtended
2
285/35 R18 97Y
or
285/35 R18 97Y MOExtended
2