2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR snow chains

Contents
Tire labeling .................................. 276
Load identification........................ 280
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) .
281
Maximum tire load ....................... 282
Maximum tire inflation pressure... 283
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles) .............................. 284
Tire ply material............................ 286
Tire and loading terminology ........ 286
Rotating tires................................ 289
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 290
Winter driving..................................... 292
Winter tires*................................. 292
Snow chains ................................. 293
Maintenance ...................................... 294
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message ........................ 294
Maintenance service term exceeded ...
295
Calling up the maintenance service due
date .............................................. 295
Resetting the maintenance service
indicator ....................................... 296
Vehicle care ....................................... 297
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 297Vehicle washing ........................... 298
Soft top care ................................ 300
Practical hints.................................. 302
What to do if ... .................................. 304
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 304
Lamp in center console ................ 317
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 319
Symbol messages ........................ 332
Where will I find ...? ........................... 356
First aid kit ................................... 356
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump, towing
eye bolt and vehicle literature portfolio
356
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 357
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 357
Replacing SmartKey batteries............ 359
Replacing bulbs ................................. 361
Front lamps .................................. 362
Rear lamps ................................... 362
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 363
Removing wiper blades ................ 363
Installing wiper blades ................. 364
Flat tire .............................................. 365Preparing the vehicle ................... 365
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 365
Batteries ............................................ 370
Charging the batteries ................. 371
Towing the vehicle ............................. 373
Installing/reinstalling towing eye bolt..
375
Points to bear in mind .................. 375
Transporting the vehicle .............. 375
Fuses ................................................. 376
Technical data................................. 378
Parts service ...................................... 380
Warranty coverage ............................ 381
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 381
Identification labels ........................... 382
Engine number ............................. 382
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 383
Engine ............................................... 384
Rims and tires ................................... 385
Mixed size tires ............................ 386
Winter tires* ................................ 388
Electrical system ............................... 390
Main dimensions ............................... 391

82 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


Electro-hydraulic brake system
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the pre-
vailing road an weather conditions and keep
a safe distance to other road users and ob-
jects on the street.
i
In winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, the BAS, the ESP
®, and the
electro-hydraulic brake system is only achieved
with winter tires (
page 292) or snow chains as
required.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

86 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsElectronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving off with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®


the ESP
® does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel


the ESP
® continues to operate when
you are braking
Warning!
G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in
standard driving maneuvers.
Warning!
G
Switch on the ESP
® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabi-
lize the vehicle when it is starting to skid or
a wheel is spinning.
i
When the ESP
® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/ESP
®
warning lampv in the instrument cluster
flashes. However, the ESP
® will then not
stabilize the vehicle.

90 Safety and SecurityPerformance enhancement systemAirbrake
The Airbrake enhances the vehicle’s driv-
ing stability. It adapts the aerodynamics of
the vehicle to the driving conditions ac-
cording to the speed and the mode set.
This is achieved using a moveable spoiler.
The Airbrake is located at the rear edge of
the trunk lid.Warning!
G
When operating the Airbrake, make sure
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the Airbrake operation (i.e. raising and
lowering of flap). Be especially careful when
small children are around.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The Airbrake cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
i
In winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the Airbrake is only achieved with winter
tires (M + S tires) or snow chains as required.

242 OperationDriving instructionsMercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(page 292) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“(Y)”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of over 186 mph (300 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum 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.i
For information on tire speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter tires*” (
page 292).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 279).
i
For information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 293).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of control loss.

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)

386 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size 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 ZR19 (96Y) XL
1
245/40 ZR18 (93Y)
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
11
1/2 J x 19
11
1/2 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL
1
295/35 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 Roadster. Use of tires not specially ap-
proved for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Roadster could result in unanticipated perfor-
mance characteristics. For more information,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

387 Technical data
Rims and tires
Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S:
Multi-spoke rims in forged aluminum
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
9 J x 19
Wheel offset
1.83 in (46.5 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
11
1/2 J x 19
Wheel offset
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL
1
!
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 Roadster 722 S. Use of tires not spe-
cially approved for the Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren Roadster 722 S could result in
unanticipated performance characteristics. For
more information, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.