2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class page 73

The tire pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tire pressure. If an incorrect tire
pressure is set, these incorrect values will
be monitored.
X Observe the notes on tire pressure
(Y page 311).
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2(Y page 135) in the ignition lock.
X Press 0002or0005 on the steering wheel
to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Tire Pressure .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Active Press 'OK' to Restart message
appears in the multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The Tire Pressure Now OK? message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Yes .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Restarted message appears in the multifunction
display.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tire pressures of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the 0007button.
or
X If the Tire Pressure Now OK? message
appears, use 0003or to
select 0004Cancel .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Tire pressure monitor (USA only)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correc ttire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate if the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will
flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the 316
Tire pressureWheels and tires

vehicle is started as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
It is the driver's responsibility to set the tire
pressure to that recommended for cold tires
which is suitable for the operating situation
(Y page 311). Note that the correct tire
pressure for the current operating situation
must first be taught-in to the tire pressure
monitor. If there is a substantial loss of
pressure, the warning threshold for the
warning message is aligned to the reference
values taught-in. Restart the tire pressure
monitor after adjusting the pressure of the
cold tires (Y page 318). The current
pressures are saved as new reference values.
As a result, a warning message will appear if
the tire pressure drops significantly.
The tire pressure monitor does not warn you
of an incorrectly set tire pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tire pressure
(Y page 311).
The tire pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tire is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a haltb y braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering maneuvers.
If a tire pressure monitor system is installed,
the vehicle's wheels have sensors installed
that monitor the tire pressures in all four tires.
The tire pressure monitor warns you if the
pressure drops in one or more of the tires .The
tire pressure monitor only functions if the correct wheel electronics units are installed
on each wheel.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow
warning lamp in the instrument cluster for
indicating pressure loss or
amalfunction.
Whether the warning lamp flashes or lights up
indicates whether a tire pressure is too low or
the tire pressure monito ris malfunctioning:
R if the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is
significantly too low. The tire pressure
monitor is not malfunctioning.
R if the warning lamp flashes for around a
minute and then remains lit constantly, the
tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display. After a few minutes
of driving, the current tire pressure of each
tire is shown in the multifunction display.
If the tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning,
it may take more than ten minutes for the tire
pressure warning lamp to inform you of the
malfunction by flashing for approximately one
minute and then remaining lit. When the
malfunction has been rectified, the tire
pressure warning lamp goes out after a few
minutes of driving.
The tire pressure values indicated by the on-
board computer may differ from those
measured at a gas station with a pressure
gauge.T he tire pressures shown by the on-
board computer refer to those measured at
sea level. At high altitudes, the tire pressure
values indicated by a pressure gauge are
higher than those shown by the on-board
computer. In this case, do not reduce the tire
pressures.
The operation of the tire pressure monitor can
be affected by interference from radio
transmitting equipment (e.g. radio
headphones, two-way radios) that may be
being operated in or near the vehicle.
i This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: Tire pressure
317Wheels and tires Z

1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. this device must accep
tany interference
received, including interference tha tmay
cause undesired operatio nofthe device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Checking tire pressure electronically X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in
position 2(Y page 135) in the ignition lock.
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Tire Pressure .
X Press button 000B.
The current tire pressure for each wheel will
be displayed in the multifunction display.
If the vehicle has been parked for longer than
20 minutes ,the Tire pressures will be
displayed after driving a few
minutes message appears.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
monitor automatically recognizes new wheels
or new sensors. As long as a clear allocation
of the tire pressure values to the individual
wheels is not possible, the Tire PressureMonitor Active message is displayed
instead of the tire pressure display. The tire
pressures are already being monitored.
Tire pressure monitor warning
messages If the tire pressure monitor detects a
significant pressure loss on one or more tires,
a warning message is shown in the
multifunction display.
Awarning tone also
sounds and the tire pressure warning lamp
lights up in the instrumen tcluster.
Each tire that is affected by a significant loss
of pressure is highlighted in the pressure
display. X
If the Correct Tire Pressure message
appears in the multifunction display, check
the tire pressure on all four wheels and
correct it as necessary.
i If the wheel positions on the vehicle are
interchanged, the tire pressures may be
displayed for the wrong positions for a
shor ttime. This is rectified after a few
minutes of driving, and the tire pressures
are displayed for the correc tpositions.
Restarting the tire pressure monitor When you restart the tire pressure monitor,
all existing warning messages are deleted and
the warning lamps go out. The monitor uses
the currently set tire pressures as the
reference values for monitoring. In most
cases, the tire pressure monitor will
automatically detect the new reference
values after you have changed the tire
pressure. However, you can also define
reference values manually as described here.
X
Set the tire pressure to the value
recommended for the corresponding
driving situation on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver's side
B-pillar (Y page 311).
Additional tire pressure values for different
loads can also be found on the tire pressure
table on the inside of the fuel filler flap
(Y page 311).
X Make sure that the tire pressure is correct
on all four wheels.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Tire Pressure .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The multifunction display shows the
current tire pressure for each tire or the
Tire pressures will be displayed 318
Tire pressureWheels and tires

X
Specification for maximum gross vehicle
weight 0003is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants,
load and luggage mus tnot exceed the
specified value.
i The specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the
illustration are examples. The maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight rating is
vehicle-specific and may differ from that in
the illustration. You can find the valid
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
rating for your vehicle on the Tire and
Loading Information placard. Number of seats
Maximum number of seats
0003indicates the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard.
i The specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the
illustration are examples. The number of
seats is vehicle-specific and can differ from
the details shown. The number of seats in
your vehicle can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard. Determining the correct load limit
Step-by-step instructions The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49,
Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575
pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
X Step 1: Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupant sand cargo
should neve rexceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on
your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information
placard.
X Ste p2:Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers tha twill be riding
in your vehicle.
X Step 3: Subtract the combined weight of
the drive rand passengers from XXX
kilograms or XXX lbs.
X Ste p4:The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1,400 lbs and there will be five
150 lbs passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs (1,400 – 750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lbs).
X Step 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4. Example: steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples on how
to calculate total and cargo load capacities
with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. The following
examples use a maximum load of 1,500 lbs
(680 kg). This is for illustration purposes
only. Make sure you are using the actual load
limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's
Tire and Loading Information placard
(Y page 319). 320
Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

The higher the weight of all the occupants, the
smaller the maximum load for luggage.
Step 1 Example 1 Example 2
Combined
maximum
weight of
occupants
and cargo
(data from the
Tire and
Loading
Information
placard)
1500 lbs
(680 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
Step 2
Example 1 Example 2
Number of
people in the
vehicle (driver
and
occupants)
1 2
Weight of the
occupants
Occupant
1: 175 lbs
(80 kg) Occupant
1: 175 lbs
(80 kg)
Occupant
2: 195 lbs
(88 kg)
Gross weight
of all
occupants
175 lbs
(80 kg) 370 lbs
(168 kg) Step 3
Example 1 Example 2
Permissible
load
(maximum
gross vehicle
weight rating
from the Tire
and Loading
Information
placard minus
the gross
weight of all
occupants)
1500 lbs
(680 kg)
001A175 lbs
(80 kg) =
1325 lbs
(600 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
001A370 lbs
(168 kg) =
1130 lbs
(512 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total load
carefully, you should still make sure that the
gross vehicle weight rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle
(Y page 319).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the
gross weight of the vehicle, all passengers
and the load must not exceed the permissible
gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating: the maximum
permissible weight that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible values (gross
vehicle weight and maximum gross axle
weight rating), have your loaded vehicle
(including driver, occupants and the load)
weighed on a suitable vehicle weighbridge. Loading the vehicle
321Wheels and tires Z

All abou
twheels and tires Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are
U.S. government specifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliable information on tire performance data.
Tire manufacturers have to grade tires using
three performance factors: treadwear
grade 0003, traction grade 0004and temperature
grade 0024.These regulations do not apply to
Canada.N evertheless, all tires sold in North
America are provided with the corresponding
quality grading markings on the sidewall of
the tire.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width.
Example:
R Treadwear grade: 200
R Traction grade: AA
R Temperature grade: A
All passenger car tires must conform to the
statutory safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration. Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
U.S. government course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm, due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate conditions.
Traction G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
! Avoid wheelspin. This can lead to damage
to the drive train.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. Atire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road
surfaces.
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth of 000Bin(4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Y page 309). Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than 322
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

on surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) (Y page 310).
Temperature G
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
The temperature grades are A(the highest),
B, and C. These represent the tire's
resistance to the generatio nofheat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Tire labeling
Overview 0003
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(Ypage 327)
0004 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 326)
0024 Maximum tire load (Y page 326)
0023 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 314)
0021 Manufacturer
0022 Tire material (Y page 327)
0015 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Y page 323)
0016 Load index (Y page 326)
0017 Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales
designation) and the manufacturer's name.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing
capacity and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire bursting.
There is a risk of accident. All about wheels and tires
323Wheels and tires
Z

Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
0003
Tire width
0004 Nominal aspect ratio in %
0024 Tire code
0023 Rim diameter
0021 Load bearing index
0022 Speed rating
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size
description (as shown above): these are
passenger vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description :these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire
pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width0003shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio0004is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent.T he aspectratio is calculated by dividing the tire width by
the tire height.
Tire code:
tire code0024specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires; "D" represents
diagonal tires; "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have a “ZR”
in the size description, depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter0023is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches (in).
Load-bearing index: load-bearing index0021
is a numerical code that specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum
permissible load can be found on the
vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Y page 319).
Example:
The load bearing index 91 is equivalent to a
maximum load of 1356 lb (615 kg) that the
tire can carry. For further information on the
maximum tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(Y page 326).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 326).
Speed rating: speed rating0022specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the traffic
conditions. 324
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires