2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG GT COUPE tire size

Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
G
WARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the
steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show
the maximum possible load.
(1) The Tire and Loading Information placard is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The
Tire and Loading Information placard
shows the maximum permissible number
of occupants and the maximum
permissible vehicle load. It also contains
details of the tire sizes and
corresponding pressures for tires
mounted at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle
identification plate informs you of the
gross vehicle weight rating. It is made up
of the vehicle weight, all vehicle
occupants, the fuel and the cargo. You
can also find information about the
maximum gross axle weight rating on the
front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried
by one axle (front or rear axle). Never
exceed the maximum load or the
maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle. 0043
B-pillar, driver's side Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
X
Specification for maximum gross vehicle
weight 0043is 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,
cargo, luggage and trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not 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. 258
Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

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 load limit 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 259).
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
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)
00F8175 lbs (80 kg) =
1325 lbs (600 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
00F8370 lbs (168 kg) =
1130 lbs (512 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo
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 258).
Gross vehicle weight: the gross weight of
the vehicle, all passengers, cargo and trailer
load/noseweight (if applicable) must not
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight. 260
Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

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 00CFin(4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (Y page 249). Winter tires can
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than
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 250).
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. They represent the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat 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 C corresponds 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 The following markings are on the tire in
addition to the tire name (sales designation)
and the manufacturer's name:
0043
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(Ypage 266)
0044 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 265)
0087 Maximum tire load (Y page 265)
0085 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 254)
0083 Manufacturer
0084 Tire material (Y page 266)
006B Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating (Y page 262)
006C Load index (Y page 265)
006D Tire 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. 262
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle. 0043
Tire width
0044 Nominal aspect ratio in %
0087 Tire code
0085 Rim diameter
0083 Load bearing index
0084 Speed rating
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
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 width0043shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters. Aspect ratio:
aspect ratio0044is the size ratio
between the tire height and tire width and is
shown in percent. The aspect ratio is
calculated by dividing the tire width by the tire
height.
Tire code: tire code0087specifies 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 "ZR" in
the size description depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
Rim diameter: rim diameter0085is 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 index0083
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 258).
Example:
Load-bearing index 91 indicates a maximum
load of 1,356 lb (615 kg) that the tires can
bear. For further information on the maximum
tire load in kilograms and lbs, see
(Y page 265).
For further information on the load bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y page 265).
Speed rating: speed rating0084specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
Regardless of the speed rating, always
observe the speed limits. Drive carefully and
adapt your driving style to the traffic
conditions. All about wheels and tires
263Wheels and tires Z

Summer tires
Index Speed rating
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(..Y) over 186 mph(300 km/h)
ZR over 149 mph (240 km/h)
R
Optionally, tires with a maximum speed of
over 149 mph (240 km/h) may have "ZR"
in the size description depending on the
manufacturer (e.g. 245/40 ZR 18).
The service specification is made up of
load-bearing index 0083and speed rating
0084.
R If the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service
specifications, ask the tire manufacturer in
order to find out the maximum speed.
If a service specification is available, the
maximum speed is limited according to the
speed rating in the service specification.
Example: 245/40 ZR 18 97 Y.In this
example, "97 Y" is the service specification.
The letter "Y" represents the speed index
and the maximum speed of the tire is
limited to 186 mph (300 km/h).
R The size description for all tires with
maximum speeds of over
186 mph (300 km/h) must include "ZR"
and the service specification must be given
in brackets. Example: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). The speed index "(Y)"
indicates that the maximum speed of the
tire is over 186 mph (300 km/h). Ask the
tire manufacturer about the maximum
speed. All-weather tires and winter tires
Index Speed rating
Q M+S
7 up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S
7 up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S
7 up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V M+S
7 Up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all tires with the M+S marking provide
the driving characteristics of winter tires.
In addition to the M+S marking, winter tires
also have the 004Dsnowflake symbol on
the tire wall. Tires with this marking fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding snow traction, and were specially
developed for driving on snow.
The speed rating of tires mounted at the
factory may be higher than the maximum
speed that the electronic speed limiter
permits.
Make sure that your tires have the required
speed rating for your vehicle as specified in
the "Tires" section (Y page 273), e.g. if you
buy new tires.
Further information about reading tire data
can be obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
7 Or M+S004D for winter tires.264
All about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

Load index
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
In addition to the load-bearing index, load
index 0043may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed rating 0084(Ypage 262) on
the sidewall of the tire.
R If no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Light Load: 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
Maximum load rating Maximum tire load
0043is 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 258).
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 stipulate that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprint a TIN
in or on the sidewall of each tire produced. The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables tire manufacturers to inform
purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer
identification code 0044, tire size0087, tire type
code 0085and manufacturing date 0083.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol 0043marks that the tire complies with
the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufacturer identification code 0044provides
details on the tire manufacturer. New tires
have a code with two symbols.
Tire size: identifier0087describes the tire size. All about wheels and tires
265Wheels and tires Z

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
part 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
This is indicated by narrow bars (treadwear
bars) that are distributed over the tire tread.
If the tire tread is level with the bars, the wear
limit of 1
/ 16 in (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) times the vehicle's
designated seating capacity.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 233) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a flat tire. Rotating the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of
accident.
Rotate front and rear wheels 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.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes when changing a wheel
(Y page 269).
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. 268
Changing a wheelWheels and tires

driving with vehicle loads that are lighter
than the maximum vehicle load can be
found in the tire pressure table on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. Check tire
pressures regularly, and only when the tires
are cold. Comply with the maintenance
recommendations of the tire manufacturer.
These are located in the vehicle document
wallet.
Further information on recommended tire
pressures as well as tire pressures for
specific driving situations, see (Y page 251).
i Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tires on all wheels
at a given time (summer tires, winter
tires)
i The following pages contain information
on approved wheel rims and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicle with winter tires.
Winter tires are not available at the factory
as standard equipment or optional extras.
If you wish to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, you will also require,
in certain circumstances, wheel rims of an
appropriate size, as the sizes of approved
winter tires can deviate from those of
standard tires. This is dependent on the
model and the equipment installed at the
factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop. 274
Wheel and tire combinationsWheels and tires