2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tyres against oil, grease, petrol and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
The water jet of circular-jet nozzles (dirt grind- ers) can cause damage not visible from the
outside to tyres or chassis components. Com-
ponents damaged in this way can unexpect-
edly fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have dam- aged tyres or chassis components replaced
immediately. Fitting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground.
X Unload the vehicle. The jack can only be
used when the vehicle is unladen.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Move the front wheels to the straight-
ahead position.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the key from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the key having been
removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 155). X
If included in the vehicle equipment,
remove the tyre-change tool kit from the
vehicle.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
i Apart from certain country-specific varia-
tions, vehicles are not equipped with a tyre-
change tool kit. For information on which
tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Necessary wheel-changing tools may
include, for example:
R jack
R wheel chock
R wheel wrench
Securing the vehicle against rolling
away If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock,
it can be found in the tyre-change tool kit
(Y page 577).
The folding wheel chock is an additional
securing measure to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, for example when changing a
wheel.
X Fold both plates upwards :.
X Fold out lower plate ;.
X Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
the openings in base plate =.606
Changing a wheelWheels and tyres

Securing the vehicle on level ground
X On level ground: place chocks or other
suitable items under the front and rear of
the wheel that is diagonally opposite the
wheel you wish to change. Securing the vehicle on slight downhill gradients
X On light downhill gradients: place
chocks or other suitable items in front of
the wheels of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle. The following must be observed when raising
the vehicle:
R to raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-
specific jack that has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. If the jack is
used incorrectly, it could tip over while the
vehicle is raised.
R the jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed. It is not suitable for per-
forming maintenance work under the vehi- cle.
R avoid changing the wheel on uphill and
downhill slopes.
R before raising the vehicle, secure it from
rolling away by applying the parking brake
and positioning wheel chocks. Never
release the parking brake while the vehicle
is raised.
R the jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a
large, flat, load-bearing underlay must be
used. On a slippery surface, a non-slip
underlay must be used, e.g. a rubber mat.
R do not use wooden blocks or similar
objects as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the
jack will not be able to achieve its load-
bearing capacity due to the restricted
height.
R make sure that the distance between the
underside of the tyres and the ground does
not exceed 3 cm.
R never place your hands or feet under the
raised vehicle.
R do not lie under the vehicle.
R do not start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
R do not open or close a door or the boot lid
when the vehicle is raised.
R make sure that no persons are present in
the vehicle when the vehicle is raised. Changing a wheel
607Wheels and tyres Z

X
Using wheel wrench :, loosen the bolts on
the wheel you wish to change by about one full turn. Do not unscrew the bolts com-
pletely. The jacking points are located just behind the
front wheel arches and just in front of the rear wheel arches (arrows). Covers, front (example: vehicles with AMG equip-
ment)
AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment: to protect the vehicle body, the
vehicle has covers fitted next to the jacking
points on the outer sills. X
AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment: fold cover;upwards. X
Position jack ?at jacking point =. Example
X Make sure that the base of the jack is posi-
tioned vertically under the jacking point.
X Turn crank Aclockwise until jack ?sits
completely on jacking point =and the
base of the jack lies evenly on the ground.
X Turn crank Auntil the tyre is raised a max-
imum of 3 cm off the ground.
Removing a wheel !
AMG vehicles:
during removal and repo-
sitioning of the wheel, the wheel rim can
strike the ceramic-brake disc and damage
it. Therefore, take precautions and get a
second person to assist you. Alternatively,
you can use a second centring pin.
! Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
The threads of the wheel bolts and wheel 608
Changing a wheelWheels and tyres

hubs could otherwise be damaged when
the bolts are tightened. X
Unscrew the uppermost wheel bolt com-
pletely.
X Screw centring pin :into the thread
instead of the wheel bolt.
X Unscrew the remaining wheel bolts fully.
X Remove the wheel.
Fitting a new wheel G
WARNING
Oiled or greased wheel bolts or damaged
wheel bolts/hub threads can cause the wheel bolts to come loose. As a result, you could
lose a wheel while driving. There is a risk of
accident.
Never oil or grease wheel bolts. In the event of damage to the threads, contact a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. Have the
damaged wheel bolts or hub threads
replaced/renewed. Do not continue driving. G
WARNING
If you tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is raised, the jack could tip
over. There is a risk of injury.
Only tighten the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
when the vehicle is on the ground.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notices in "Changing a wheel"
(Y page 605).
Only use wheel bolts that have been designed
for the wheel and the vehicle. For safety rea- sons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
only use wheel bolts which have been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the
respective wheel.
! AMG vehicles:
during removal and repo-
sitioning of the wheel, the wheel rim can
strike the ceramic-brake disc and damage
it. Therefore, take precautions and get a
second person to assist you. Alternatively,
you can use a second centring pin. X
Clean the wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
X Slide the wheel to be mounted onto the
centring pin and push it on.
X Tighten the wheel bolts until they are fin-
ger-tight.
X Unscrew the centring pin.
X Tighten the last wheel bolt until it is finger-
tight.
X Vehicles with a collapsible emergency
spare wheel: inflate the collapsible emer-
gency spare wheel (Y page 615). Only
then lower the vehicle.
Lowering the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts and bolts are not tightened to the specified
tightening torque. There is a risk of accident.
Have the tightening torque immediately
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
after a wheel is changed. Changing a wheel
609Wheels and tyres Z

X
Turn the crank of the jack anti-clockwise
until the vehicle is once again standing
firmly on the ground.
X Place the jack to one side.
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a cross-
wise pattern in the sequence indicated ( :
to A). The specified tightening torque is
130 Nm.
X Turn the jack back to its initial position.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the boot again.
X AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment: insert the cover into the outer
sill.
X Check the air pressure of the newly fitted
wheel and adjust accordingly.
Observe the recommended tyre pressure
(Y page 600).
i If you are driving with the collapsible
emergency spare wheel fitted, the tyre
pressure loss warning system or the tyre
pressure monitor cannot function reliably.
Do not restart the tyre pressure loss warn- ing system/tyre pressure monitor until the
defective wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
Vehicles with a tyre pressure control
system: all fitted wheels must be equipped
with functioning sensors. Wheel and tyre combinations
General notes
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehi-
cle.
These are specially adapted to the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP ®
and are
marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tyres featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only cer-
tain AMG tyres)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tyres, wheels or accessories tes-
ted and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Cer-
tain characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle
noise emissions or fuel consumption, may
otherwise be adversely affected. In addi-
tion, when driving with a load, tyre dimen-
sion variations could cause the tyres to
come into contact with the bodywork and
axle components. This could result in dam- age to the tyres or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tyres,
wheels or accessories other than those tes- ted and approved.
Further information about wheels, tyres
and approved combinations can be
obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
! Retreaded tyres are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be detec-
ted on retreaded tyres. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle
safety if retreaded tyres are fitted. Do not fit
used tyres if you have no information about their previous usage. 610
Wheel and tyre combinationsWheels and tyres

!
Large wheels: the lower the section width
for a certain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tyres as a result of driving over obstacles
increases.
Overview of abbreviations used in the follow- ing tyre tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
You will find a table with recommended tyre
pressures for various operating conditions on
the inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap. For
further information on tyre pressure, see
(Y page 600). Check tyre pressures regularly
and only when the tyres are cold.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always fit
the vehicle:
R with tyres of the same size on a given axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tyres at a given time
(summer tyres, winter tyres, MOExtended
tyres)
Exception: it is permissible to fit a different
type or make in the event of a flat tyre.
Observe the "MOExtended tyres (tyres with
run-flat characteristics" section
(Y page 578).
Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It is
therefore recommended that you additionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you fit tyres that do not feature run-flat characteris-
tics, e.g. winter tyres. A TIREFIT kit can be
obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
i Not all wheel/tyre combinations can be
fitted at the factory in all countries. Wheel and tyre combinations
611Wheels and tyres Z

Tyres
SL 350 Summer tyres
R17
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
BA: 255/4
5 R17 98 Y 1 BA: 8.0 J x 17 H2 ET 30
R18
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 95 Y
1, 2 BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 35.5
FA: 255/40 R18 95 Y
2
RA: 285/35 R18 97 Y 2, 3 FA: 8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 18 H2 ET 47.5
R19
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2, 4
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3, 4 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2 ET 47.5
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2, 4
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3, 4 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2 ET 48
Winter tyres
R17
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
BA: 255/45 R17 98 V M+S
i1 BA: 8.0 J x 17 H2 ET 30
R18
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 99 V XL M+S
i2 BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 35.5
1
Not in conjunction with Active Body Control (Code 487), Sports package (Code 950) or Edition 1 package
(Code P88).
2 Available as MOExtended tyres.
3 The use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
4 Observe notes on "Large wheels" in the "Wheel/tyre combinations" section. 612
Wheel and tyre combinationsWheels and tyres

SL 500
Summer tyres
R18
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
FA: 255/40 R18 95 Y
2
RA: 285/35 R18 97 Y 2, 3 FA: 8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 18 H2 ET 47.5
R19
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2, 4
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3, 4 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2 ET 47.5
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2, 4
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3, 4 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2 ET 35.5
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2 ET 48
Winter tyres
R18
Tyres Light-alloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 99 V XL M+S
i2 BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 35.5
AMG vehicles
Summer tyres
i AMG vehicles with 20-inch wheels on the rear axle:
if replaced with 19-inch wheels,
ETS may intervene noticeably earlier for the first few kilometres. After approximately 10 km ETS will function as usual again. Information on ETS can be found under "ETS (Electronic
Traction System)" (Y page 73).
R19/R20 Tyres Light-alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
4
RA: 285/30 ZR19 (98 Y) XL 4 FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2 ET 27
RA: 10.0 J x 19 H2 ET 48
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
4
RA: 285/30 ZR20 (99 Y) XL 3, 4 FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2 ET 27
RA: 10.0 J x 20 H2 ET 48
2
Available as MOExtended tyres.
3 The use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
4 Observe notes on "Large wheels" in the "Wheel/tyre combinations" section. Wheel and tyre combinations
613Wheels and tyres Z