2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class winter tires

Useful information............................568
Important safety notes .....................568
Operation ........................................... 568
Winter operation ............................... 570
Tire pressure ..................................... 571
Loading the vehicle ..........................578
All about wheels and tires ...............581
Changing a wheel .............................. 588
Wheel and tire combinations ...........593
567
Wheels and tires

approximatelyáin(1.6 mm )ha sbeen
re ached. If this is the case, the tire is so worn
that it must be replaced.
Selecting, mounting and replacing
tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
Exception: it is permissible to install a dif-
ferent type or make in the event of a flat
tire. Observe the "MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics" section
(
Ypage 551).
ROnly mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
RBreak in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first 60 miles (100 km). They only reach
their full performance after this distance.
RDo not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
RReplace the tires after six years at the lat-
est, regardless of wear.
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
With MOExtended tires (tires with run flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires.
MOExtended tires may only be used in con-
junction with an active tire pressure monitor
and only on wheels specifically tested by
Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires with
a flat tire (
Ypage 551).
iVehicles 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 mount tires that do not
feature run-flat properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Winter operation
General notes
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (
Ypage 588).
Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45
‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehi-
cle to M+S tires. Using summer tires at very
cold temperatures could cause cracks to
form, thereby damaging the tires perma-
nently. Mercedes-Benz cannot accept
responsibility for this type of damage.
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
M+S tires
GWARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There is
a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ãin
(4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use win-
ter tires or all-season tires. Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
570Winter operation
Wheels and tires

vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP
®to function opti-
mally in winter. These tires have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on all wheels to maintain safe handling charac-
teristics.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted the M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures (Ypage 575).
XRestart the tire pressure monitor
(
Ypage 577).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If snow chains are installed to the front
wheels, they may drag against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could
cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.
There is a risk of an accident.
To avoid hazardous situations:
Rnever install snow chains to the front
wheels
Ralways install snow chains in pairs to the
rear wheels.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that
have been specially approved for your vehicle
by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist work-
shop. If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Permissible
wheel-tire combinations (
Ypage 593).
ROnly use snow chains when driving on
roads completely covered by snow.
Remove the snow chains as soon as possi-
ble when you come to a road that is not
snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of
snow chains. Observe the appropriate reg-
ulations if you wish to install snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
ROn vehicles with Active Body Control (ABC),
you must drive at a raised vehicle level if
snow chains have been installed
(
Ypage 194).
You may wish to deactivate ESP
®when pull-
ing away with snow chains installed
(
Ypage 74). You can thereby allow the wheels
to spin in a controlled manner, achieving an
increased driving force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Tire pressure571
Wheels and tires
Z

The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road surfa-
ces.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth ofãin (4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (
Ypage 569). 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) (
Ypage 570).
Temperature
GWARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, 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 generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate 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 tempera-
ture 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
:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
(
Ypage 586)
;DOT, Tire Identification Number
(
Ypage 585)
=Maximum tire load (Ypage 585)
?Maximum tire pressure (Ypage 574)
AManufacturer
BTire material (Ypage 586)
CTire size designation, load-bearing capa-
city and speed index (
Ypage 582)
DLoad index (Ypage 585)
ETire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales designa-
tion) and the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
GWARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There is a risk of accident.
582All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

Sum-
mer
tires
IndexSpeed rating
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rup to 106 mph (170 km/h)
Sup to 112 mph (180 km/h)
Tup to 118 mph (190 km/h)
Hup to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Vup to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Wup to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Yup to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(..Y)over 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZRover 149 mph(240km/ h)
ROptionally, 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 ZR18).
The service specification is made up of
load-bearing index Aand speed rating B.
RIf the size description of your tire includes
"ZR" and there are no service specifica-
tions, 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 ZR18 97 Y.In this exam-
ple, "97 Y" is the service specification. The
letter "Y" represents the speed rating. The
maximum speed of the tire is limited to
186 mph (300 km/h).
RThe size description for all tires with maxi-
mum speeds of over 186 mph (300 km/h)
must include "ZR", andthe service specifi-
cation must be given in parentheses. Exam- ple: 275/40 ZR 18 (99 Y). Speed rating
"(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 win-
ter tires
IndexSpeed rating
Q M+S1up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V M+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot 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 isnowflake symbol on
the tire wall. Tires with this marking fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber Manufac-
turers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) regarding the
tire traction on snow. They have been espe-
cially developed for driving on snow.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the following speeds:
R130 mph (210 km/h):
-All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi- cles)
R155 mph (250 km/h):
-Mercedes-AMG SL 63
-Mercedes-AMG SL 65
R186 mph (300 km/h):
-Mercedes-AMG SL 63 (Perform-
ance Package)
-Mercedes-AMG SL 65 increased maxi-
mum speed
1Or M+S ifor winter tires.
584All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

axle components. This could result in dam-
age 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 tes-
ted and approved.
Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop.
!Retreaded tires are neither tested nor rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz, since pre-
vious 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 used in the follow-
ing tire tables:
RBA: both axles
RFA: front axle
RRA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information placard with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table on the inside of the
fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating conditions
(
Ypage 571).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the mainte-
nance recommendations of the tire manufac-
turer in the v
ehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle with:
Rwith tires of the same size on a given axle
(left and right)
Rthe same type of tires at a given time (sum-
mer tires, winter tires, MOExtended tires)
Exception: it is permissible to install a dif-
ferent type or make in the event of a flat tire. Observe the "MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics" section
(
Ypage 551).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if
you mount tires that do not feature run-flat
properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may
be obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
iNot all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
iThe 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 want to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, it may be necessary
to obtain wheel rims in the corresponding
size. The size of the approved winter tires
may differ from the standard tires. This is
dependent on t

he model and the equip-
ment installed at the factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop.
594Wheel and tire combinations
Wheels and tires

Winter tires
R18
TiresAlloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 99 V XL M+Si2BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
SL 550
Summer tires
R18
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/40 R18 95 Y2
RA: 285/35 R18 97 Y2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
R19
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL2, 4
FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
R19/R20
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR20 (99 Y) XL
4
FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
2Also available as MOExtended tires.4Use of snow chains not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
596Wheel and tire combinations
Wheels and tires

Winter tires
R18
TiresAlloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 99 V XL M+Si2BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
Summer tires
iMercedes-AMG vehicles with 20-inch wheels on the rear axle: if replaced with 19-inch
wheels, ETS may intervene noticeably earlier during the first few kilometers. After approx-
imately 10 km, ETS functions as usual again. Information on ETS can be found under "ETS
(Electronic Traction System)" (
Ypage 74).
R19/R20
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR19 (98 Y) XLFA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR20 (99 Y) XL
4
FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
Winter tires
R19
TiresAlloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 V XL M+S i
RA: 285/30 R19 98 V XL M+S iFA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
2Also available as MOExtended tires.4Use of snow chains not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
Wheel and tire combinations597
Wheels and tires
Z