2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class page 73

Make sure that your tires have the required
speed rating, e.g. when buying new tires. The
required speed rating for your vehicle can be
found in the "tires" section (Y
page 335).
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
Load index In addition to the load bearing index, load
rating
0003may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed rating on the sidewall of
the tire (Y page 323).
R If no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents astandard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Ligh tLoad: represents a light load tire
R C, D, E: represents a load range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry at a certain pressure
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example. Maximum load rating Maximum load rating
0003is the maximum
permissible weight for which the tire is
approved.
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).
i The actual values for tires are vehicle-
specific and may deviate from the values in
the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) U.S. tire regulations prescribe that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprint aTIN
in or on the sidewall of every tire produced. The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN makes it easier for tire manufacturers or
retreaders to notify customers of recalls or
other safety-related matters. It makes it 326
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

possible for the purchaser to easily identify
the affected tires.
The TIN consists of the manufacturer
identification code 0004, tire size0024, tire type
code 0023and manufacturing date 0021.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol 0003indicates that the tire complies
with the requirements of the U.S .Department
of Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code 0004provides
details on the tire manufacturer. New tires
have a code with two symbols. Retreaded
tires have a code with four symbols.
For further information about retreaded tires,
see (Y page 308).
Tire size: identifier0024describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code0023can be
used by the manufacturer as a code to
describe specific characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufacture
0021 provides information about the age of a
tire. The first and second positions represent
the week of manufacture, starting with "01"
for the first calendar week. Positions three
and four represent the year of manufacture.
For example, a tire that is marked with
"3208", was manufactured in week 32 in
2008.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics This information describes the type of tire
cord and the number of layers in
sidewall
0003and under tire tread 0004.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Definition of terms for tires and loading Tire ply composition and material used
Describes the number of plies or the number
of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire
tread and sidewall. These are made of steel,
nylon, polyester and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure.
14.5038p
ounds per square inch (psi) and
100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equivalent of
1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of
the United States Department of
Transportation.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants which the vehicle
is designed for, multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lb).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
Au niform standard to grade the quality of
tires with regards to tread quality, tire traction
and temperature characteristics. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using U.S.
government testing procedures. The ratings
are molded into the sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
The recommended tire pressure applies to
the tires mounted at the factory.
The Tire and Loading Informatio nplacard
contains the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires on a fully loaded vehicle and for the
maximum permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the
recommended pressures for cold tires for All about wheels and tires
327Wheels and tires Z

Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire
width in percent.
Tire pressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an
outward force to each square inch of the tire's
surface .The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal
(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should only
be corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked without
direct sunlight on the tires for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has been driven for less than
1 mile (1.6 km).
Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kilograms (5 lbs).
These optional extras, such as high-
performance brakes, level control, a roof rack
or a high-performance battery, are not
included in the curb weight and the weight of
the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier which can be used
by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the
manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of
0009in
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle. Changing
awheel Flat tire
Information on the procedure in the event of
a fla ttire (Y page 291). Instructions for driving
with MOExtended tires in the event of a flat
tire are also provided there. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the drivin gcharacteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of
accident. Changing
awheel
329Wheels and tires
Z

Rotate fron
tand rea rwheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes when changing a wheel
(Y page 330).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the
intervals in the tire manufacturer's warranty
book in your vehicle documents. If this is not
available, the tires should then be replaced
every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (5,000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if the tire wear requires
this. Do not change the direction of wheel
rotation.
Cleant he contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tire pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tire pressure loss
warning system or the tire pressure monitor. Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation. Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately. Mounting
awheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Park the vehicle on firm, non-slippery and
level ground.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
shift to first gear or reverse gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
move the selector leve rtoP.
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. 330
Changing
awheelWheels and tires

X
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: openthe
driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 136).
X If included in the vehicle equipment, take
the tire-change tool kit out of the vehicle.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
i Due to differences in vehicle equipment,
not all vehicles are equipped with a tire-
change tool kit. For information on which
tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter.
Necessary wheel-changing tools can
include, for example:
R Jack
R Wheel chock
R Lug wrench
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock,
it can be found in the tire-change tool kit
(Y page 291).
The folding wheel choc kis an additional
securing measure to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away, for example when changing a
wheel. X
Fold both plates upwards 0003.
X Fold out lower plate 0004.
X Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
the openings in base plate 0024. 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
jacking point of the vehicle. The base of the Changing
awheel
331Wheels and tires
Z

AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment:
to protect the vehicle body, the
vehicle has covers next to the jacking points
on the outer sills.
X AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment: fold cover0004upwards. X
Position jack 0023at jacking point 0024. Example
X
Make sure the foot of the jack is directly
beneath the jacking point.
X Turn crank 0021clockwise until jack 0023sits
completely on jacking point 0024and the
base of the jac klies evenly on the ground.
X Turn crank 0021until the tire is raised a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) off the ground.
Removing awheel !
Do not place wheel bolts in sand or on a
dirty surface. The bol tand wheel hub
threads could otherwise be damaged when
you screw them in. X
Unscrew the uppermost wheel bolt
completely.
X Screw alignment bolt 0003into the thread
instead of the wheel bolt.
X Unscrew the remaining whee lbolts fully.
X Remove the wheel.
Mounting anew 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.H ave the
damaged wheel bolts or hub threads
replaced/renewed. Do no tcontinue 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 notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 329).
Only use wheel bolts that have been designed
for the wheel and the vehicle. For safety
reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that
you only use wheel bolts which have been Changing
awheel
333Wheels and tires Z

approved for Mercedes-Ben
zvehicles and the
respective wheel.
! To preven tdamage to th epaintwork, hold
the wheel securely against th ewheel hub
while screwing in the first wheel bolt. X
Cleant he wheel and wheel hub contact
surfaces.
X Slide the wheel to be mounted onto the
alignment bolt and push it on.
X Tighten the wheel bolts until they are
finger-tight.
X Unscrew the alignment bolt.
X Tighten the last wheel bolt until it is finger-
tight.
X Vehicles with acollapsible spare
wheel: inflate the collapsible spare wheel
(Y page 341). Only then lower the vehicle.
Lowering the vehicle G
WARNING
The wheels could work loose if the wheel nuts
and bolts are not tightene dto 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. X
Turn the crank of the jack counter-
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
crosswise pattern in the sequence
indicated (0003 to0021). The specified
tightening torque is 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
X Turn the jack back to its initial position.
X Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the trunk again.
X AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG
equipment: insert the cover into the outer
sill.
X Check the tire pressure of the newly
installed wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tire pressure
(Y page 311).
i Vehicles with tire pressure loss warning
system: as long as you are driving with an
emergency spare wheel, the tire pressure
loss warning system cannot function
reliably .Only restart the tire pressure loss
warning system when the defective wheel
has been replaced with a new wheel.
i Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: all
wheels mounted must be equipped with
functioning sensors. 334
Changing
awheelWheels and tires

Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your
vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO =Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE =Mercedes-BenzO riginal Extended
(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 =Mercedes-BenzO riginal (only
certain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Certain characteristics, e.g. handling,
vehicle noise emissions or fuel
consumption, may otherwise be adversely
affected. In addition, when driving with a
load, tire dimension variations could cause
the tires to come into contact with the
bodywork and axle components. This could
result in damage to the tires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tires,
wheels or accessories other than those
tested and approved.
Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop.
! Retreaded tires are neither tested nor
recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since
previous damage cannot always be
detected on retreaded tires. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee vehicle
safety if retreaded tires are mounted. Do
not mount used tires if you have no
information about their previous usage. Overview of abbreviations usedint
he
following tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating conditions
(Y page 311).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the
maintenance recommendations of the tire
manufacturer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment –always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
R the same type of tires at a given time
(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtended
tires)
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires 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 moun ttires that do not feature run-
flat properties, e.g. winter tires. ATIREFIT kit
may be obtained from a qualified specialist
workshop.
i Not all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
i On the following pages, you can find
information on approved wheelr ims and
tire sizes for equipping your vehicle with
winter tires. Winter tires are not available
at the factory as standard equipmen tor
optional extras.
If you would like to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, you may also, in Wheel and tire combinations
335Wheels and tires Z