2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG winter tires

316 Operation
Tires and wheels

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 313) and the tire speed
rating6 (
page 313).
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service
description5 and6 (
page 313) is
given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed ca-
pability. If a service description5 and6
(
page 313) 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 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
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter 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 re-
quirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Associ-
ation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions.

327 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 Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
to a pre-mixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze which is formulated for
temperatures below freezing point
(
page 464).

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
symbol.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
effectiveness of the ABS and ESP
® in
winter operation.
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.

328 Operation
Winter driving
Always 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
heater.
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.

329 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
(
page 449).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any 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.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 453).

Do not use snow chains on wheels with
MOExtended tires* (
page 449).
!When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect setting 1 of the vehicle level control system
(
page 230). Other settings may result in
damage to your vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 449).
!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.iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 93) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire pressuredisplayed after
driving for
a few minutes.Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The tire inflation pressure is being
checked.Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire Pressure MonitorInoperativeThe TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is
malfunctioning.Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure MonitorInoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter
tires).Have the TPMS or Advanced TPMS*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Wheel Sensor MissingVehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
One or more sensors defect
(e.g. empty sensor battery).
The respective tire is indicated by
---
instead of the tire inflation pressure in
the multifunction display.
Have Advanced TPMS* checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

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.

483 Index
Telephone* 30, 247
Answering a call 170
Changing mobile phone cradle 250
Compartment 239
Dialing 170
Ending a call 171
Inserting in cradle 248
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 250
Loading phone book* 171
Messages in the multifunction
display 396
Operating 169
Redialing 171
Removing from cradle 249
Telephones and two-way radios 276
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 142
Sensor, Interior 33
Tires 301
Tightening torque 424
Time
Settings (control system) 161TIN 324
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 325
Tire and Loading Information 295
Tire and loading terminology 322
Tire care and maintenance 292
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 281, 300, 302
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only) 308
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only) 305
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 292
Tire load rating 324
Tire ply composition and material
used 324
Tire speed rating 273, 315, 325
Tire terminology 322
Tire traction 273Tires 291
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 308
Cleaning 293
Direction of rotation 294
Driving instructions 271
Low tire pressure telltale 355
Messages in display 397
Messages in the multifunction
display 375, 397
MOExtended*425
Retreads 291
Rims and tires 449
Rotating 325
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 303
Service life 292
Spare wheel 453
Temperature 301, 321
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 305
TPMS malfunction telltale 355
Tread depth 293, 328
Wear pattern 326
Winter 327