2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR winter tires

280 OperationTires and wheels

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.All-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identification
In addition to tire load rating, special load
identification1 may be molded into the
tire sidewall following the letter designat-
ing the tire speed rating (
page 277).
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
1
1or M+S.for winter tires
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
1
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
1
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
1
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snowflake.
marking on the tire sidewall. These tires meet
specific snow traction performance require-
ments of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada
(RAC) and have been designed specifically for
use in snow conditions.
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

292 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB Summerfit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures (
page 401).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
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 the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically 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 that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.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
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
After you have fitted the winter tires,
restart the TPMS (
page 274).
!
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
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation, in par-
ticular because they do not provide suffi-
cient grip. This could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.

293 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. Any au-
thorized 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.
i
When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP
® (page 86) 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 (Summer tires only)


295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL


295/35 ZR18 (99Y)

329 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Tire pressure
displayed after
driving for
a few minutes
The tire inflation pressure is being checked.

Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative
The TPMS is malfunctioning

Have the TPMS checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel Sensors
There are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).

Have the TPMS checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure
Monitor
Wheel Sensor Missing
One or more sensors are defect (e.g. battery
is empty).
The respective tire is indicated by
---

instead of the tire inflation pressure in the
multifunction display.

Have the TPMS checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Have appropriate wheel sensors in-
stalled by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

388 Technical dataRims and tiresWinter tires*
Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster:
Turbine-style
10-spoke-style*
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
9 J x 19
9 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.83 in (46.5 mm)
1.77 in (45 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/35 R19 (96V) M+S.
245/40 R18 (97V) M+S.XL
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
9 J x 19
9 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.83 in (46.5 mm)
1.77 in (45 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/35 R19 (96V) M+S.
245/40 R18 (97V) M+S.XL
!
Only use Michelin or Dunlop tires of the siz-
es and types noted above. They are the only tires
approved for use on the SLR. Use of tires not
specially approved for the SLR could result in
unanticipated performance characteristics. For
more information, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

425 Index
Dimensions 391
Locking/unlocking 39, 57, 98, 105
Modifications and alterations, Operat-
ing safety 20
Towing 373
Transporting 375
Unlocking in an emergency 357
Vehicle care 297
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle lighting 249
Vehicle literature portfolio 356
Vehicle loading 262
Load limit 263
Roof and trunk lid racks 230
Terminology 286
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 289
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 221
Vehicle status message memory
menu 128
Vehicle washing 298
VIN 382, 407W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 74
Exterior lamps 57
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 14, 381
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 257
Washing the vehicle 297
Wear pattern, Tires 289
Wheel bolts
Anti-theft wheel nuts 290
Tightening torque 290
Wheels, Sizes 386
Wheels, Tires and 259
Wind screen 201
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 299Defogging 192
Windshield washer fluid 257, 401
Message in the multifunction
display 354
Mixing ratio 401
Refilling 257
Wiping with 53
Windshield washer system 401
Windshield wipers 27, 52
Cleaning wiper blades 299
Replacing wiper blades 363
Single wipe 53
Winter driving 292
Instructions 242
Snow chains 293
Tires* 292
Winter tires* 292