2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG tires

369 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Check tires,
then restart
Run Flat
Indicator.There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator* has not been
restarted yet.Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure is set for each tire.
Then restart the Run Flat Indicator* (page 316).
Run Flat Indicator
InoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator* is malfunc-
tioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator* checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe Run Flat Indicator* indicates that
the pressure is too low in one or more
tires.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steering and
braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation around you.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as required (page 313).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 408).
Restart the Run Flat Indicator* after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure values (
page 313).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

370 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS is malfunctioning.Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS is unable to monitor the tire
pressure due to a nearby radio interfer-
ence source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been re-
moved, the TPMS automatically becomes active again after
a few minutes driving.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

387 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagesPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HPlease correct the
tire pressure.
The tire pressure is too low in one
or more tires.Check and correct tire inflation pressure as
required (
page 313).
Tire Pressure
Caution - Tire DefectOne or more tires are deflating.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 408).
Tire Pressure
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more
tires is already below the mini-
mum value.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required
(
page 313).
If necessary, change the wheel (page 408).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

408 Practical hints
Flat tire
The SLK 55 AMG with Performance
Package* is equipped with a TIREFIT kit.
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.
Set the parking brake (page 53).
Move the gear selector lever* toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (page 61).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in
the tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.
Take TIREFIT, the sticker, and the
electric air pump out of the trunk
(
page 389).
Two-part sticker
1Sticker for instrument cluster
2Sticker for wheel
Attach sticker part 1 where it will be
easily seen by the driver on the instru-
ment cluster.
Attach sticker part 2 to the damaged
tire (close to the tire valve).iOpen door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
iSLK 55 AMG with Performance Package*
only.
Warning!G
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for cuts or punctures larger
than approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
damage caused by driving with extremely
low tire inflation pressure, or on a flat tire, or
a damaged wheel.
Do not drive the vehicle under such circum-
stances.
Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
for assistance or call Roadside Assistance.

413 Practical hints
Flat tire
Version 2
aDeflate button
bPressure gauge
If the tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate or deflate the
tire to correct tire inflation pressure
(see placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar):
To increase tire inflation pressure:
Switch on the electric air pump.
To decrease tire inflation pressure
(version 1): Open vent screwa
on pressure gaugeb
(
page 411).
To decrease tire inflation pressure
(version 2): Press yellow deflate
buttona located in air pump hous-
ing next to pressure gaugeb.Drive to the nearest qualified work-
shop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, to have the
damaged tire replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
A maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at
50 mph (80 km/h) or below with the
recommended tire inflation pressure.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.
Bring used TIREFIT materials to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.
Replace your TIREFIT container every
4 years. Replacement containers are
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured 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 vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

419 Practical hints
Flat tire
PressI on electric air pump switch2.
The electric air pump switches on and
inflates the collapsible tire.
Inflate the collapsible tire to approxi-
mately 51 psi (3.5 bar).
This takes about 5 minutes. Air
hose4 and union nut5 can become
hot during inflation. Exercise proper
caution to avoid burning yourself when
using the equipment.
Press0 on electric air pump switch2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
The electric air pump is switched off.
If the tire inflation pressure is above
51 psi (3.5 bar), release excess tire
inflation pressure using the vent screw
on air hose4.
Detach the electric air pump.
Reinstall tire valve cap.
Store electrical plug3 and air
hose4 behind flap 1 and place the
electric air pump back in the trunk.
Lower the vehicle (page 420).
!Compare the recommended tire inflation
pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare
wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the
collapsible tire to the recommended tire inflation
pressure given on the yellow label on the spare
wheel rim.
!Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 6 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the electric air pump again
after it has cooled off.Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

421 Practical hints
Flat tire
MOExtended system*
The MOExtended system allows you to
continue driving your vehicle even if there
is a total loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
You may only use the MOExtended system
in conjunction with the Run Flat Indicator*
(Canada vehicles) (
page 315) or TPMS
(U. S. vehicles) (
page 317).
!The maximum distance in emergency mode
depends on the vehicle’s load. It is 30 miles
(50 km) if the vehicle is partially loaded and
18 miles (30 km) if the vehicle is fully loaded.
The point at which the maximum driving distance
begins in emergency mode is when the warning
message appears in the multifunction display
indicating that there is a loss of tire inflation
pressure.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
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
vehicle 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 tires marked
with“MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle (
page 442).

435 Technical data
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.