2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

Tire characteristics
This information describes the type of tire cordand the number of layers in sidewallCandunder tire treadD.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-ate from the data in the example.
Definition of terms for tires and load-
ing
Tire ply composition and material used
Describes the number of plies or the numberof layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tiretread and sidewall. These are made of steel,nylon, polyester and other materials.
Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure. 14.5038 poundsper square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals (kPa)are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT-marked tires fulfill the requirements ofthe U S Department of Transportation.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants for which the vehicleis designed multiplied by 68 kilograms(150 lbs).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A uniform standard to grade the quality of tireswith regards to tread quality, tire traction andtemperature characteristics. The quality grad-ing assessment is made by the manufacturerfollowing specifications from the U.S. govern-ment. The ratings are molded into the sidewallof the tire.
Recommended tire pressures
The recommended tire pressure applies to thetires mounted at the factory.
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-tains the recommended tire pressures for coldtires on a fully loaded vehicle and for the maxi-mum permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recom-mended pressures for cold tires for variousoperating conditions, i.e. differing load andspeed conditions.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment
The combined weight of all standard andoptional equipment available for the vehicle,regardless of whether it is actually installed onthe vehicle or not.
Rim
This is the part of the wheel on which the tireis mounted.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum gross axle weightrating. The actual load on an axle must neverexceed the gross axle weight rating. The grossaxle weight rating can be found on the vehicleidentification plate on the B-pillar on the driv-er's side.
Speed rating
The speed rating is part of the tire identifica-tion. It specifies the speed range for which thetire is approved.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weightof the vehicle including fuel, tools, the sparewheel, accessories installed, occupants, lug-gage and the drawbar noseweight, if applica-ble. The gross vehicle weight must not exceedthe gross vehicle weight rating GVWR as speci-fied on the vehicle identification plate on theB-pillar on the driver's side.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is the maximum permissible grossweight of a fully loaded vehicle (the weight ofthe vehicle including all accessories, occu-pants, fuel, luggage and the drawbar nose-weight, if applicable). The gross vehicle weightrating is specified on the vehicle identificationplate on the B-pillar on the driver's side.
All aboutwheels andtires311
Wheels and tires
Z

Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The maximum weight is the sum of:
Rthe curb weight of the vehicle
Rthe weight of the accessories
Rthe load limit
Rthe weight of the factory installed optionalequipment
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa corre-sponds to 1 psi. Another unit for tire pressureis bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equivalentof 1 bar.
Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, the loadindex may also be imprinted on the sidewall ofthe tire. This specifies the load-bearing capa-city more precisely.
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equip-ment including the maximum capacity of fuel,oil and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-tioning system and optional equipment if theseare installed in the vehicle, but does notinclude passengers or luggage.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load rating is the maximum per-missible weight in kilograms or lbs for which atire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for onetire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculatedby dividing the maximum axle load of one axleby two.
PSI (pounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and tire widthin percent.
Tire pressure
This is pressure inside the tire applying an out-ward force to each square inch of the tire'ssurface. The tire pressure is specified in
pounds per square inch (psi), in kilopascal(kPa) or in bar. The tire pressure should onlybe corrected when the tires are cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked with the tiresout of direct sunlight for at least three hoursand
Rif the vehicle has not been driven furtherthan 1 mile (1.6 km)
Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contactwith the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sitssecurely on the wheel. There are several steelwires in the bead to prevent the tire from com-ing loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and thebead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extrasthat weigh more than the replaced standardparts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). Theseoptional extras, such as high-performancebrakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-per-formance battery, are not included in the curbweight and the weight of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier which can be usedby a tire manufacturer to identify tires, forexample for a product recall, and thus identifythe purchasers. The TIN is made up of themanufacturer's identity code, tire size, tiretype code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is acode that contains the maximum load bearingcapacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between thetires and the road surface.
312All about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distrib-uted over the tire tread. If the tire tread is levelwith the bars, the wear limit of

XShift the transmission to position].
XSwitch off the engine.
XVehicles without KEYLESS-GO:removethe SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:open the driv-er's door.The vehicle electronics now have status0.This is the same as the SmartKey havingbeen removed.
XVehicles with KEYLESS-GO:remove theStart/Stop button from the ignition lock(Ypage 126).
XIf included in the vehicle equipment, removethe tire-change tool kit from the vehicle.
XSafeguard the vehicle against rolling away.
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(Ypage 277).
The folding wheel chock is an additional safetymeasure to prevent the vehicle from rollingaway, for example when changing a wheel.
XFold both plates upwardsC.
XFold out lower plateD.
XGuide the lugs on the lower plate fully intothe openings in base plate

RThe jack must be placed on a firm, flat andnon-slip surface. On a loose surface, a large,flat, load-bearing underlay must be used. Ona slippery surface, a non-slip underlay mustbe used, e.g. rubber mats.
RDo not use wooden blocks or similar objectsas a jack underlay. Otherwise, the jack willnot be able to achieve its load-bearing capa-city due to the restricted height.
RMake sure that the distance between theunderside of the tires and the ground doesnot exceed 1.2 in (3 cm).
RNever place your hands and feet under theraised vehicle.
RDo not lie under the vehicle.
RDo not start the engine when the vehicle israised.
RDo not open or close a door or the trunk lidwhen the vehicle is raised.
RMake sure that no persons are present inthe vehicle when the vehicle is raised.
Vehicles with alloy wheels and hub caps:the wheel bolts are covered by a hub cap.Before you can unscrew the wheel bolts, youmust remove the hub cap. Two different var-iants can be installed.
XTo remove:take socketDand lug wrench

XMercedes-AMG vehicles and vehicleswith AMG equipment:fold cover

GWARNING
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 andsafety notes in the "Changing a wheel" section(Ypage 313).
Only use wheel bolts that have been designedfor the wheel and the vehicle. For safety rea-sons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that youonly use wheel bolts which have beenapproved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and therespective wheel.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles:during removaland repositioning of the wheel, the wheelrim can strike the ceramic-brake disc anddamage it. Therefore, you should proceedcarefully and get a second person assist toyou. Alternatively, you can use a secondalignment bolt.
!To prevent damage to the paintwork, holdthe wheel securely against the wheel hubwhile screwing in the first wheel bolt.
XClean the wheel and wheel hub contact sur-faces.
XSlide the wheel to be mounted onto thealignment bolt and push it on.
XTighten the wheel bolts until they are finger-tight.
XUnscrew the alignment bolt.
XTighten the last wheel bolt until it is finger-tight.
Lowering the vehicle
GWARNING
The wheels could come loose if the wheel
bolts or wheel nuts are not tightened to the
prescribed tightening torque. There is a risk
of an accident.
Ensure that the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
are tightened to the prescribed tightening
torque.
If you are not sure, do not move the vehicle.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop and
have the tightening torque checked immedi-
ately.
XTurn the crank of the jack counter-clockwiseuntil the vehicle is once again standingfirmly on the ground.
XPlace the jack to one side.
XTighten the wheel bolts evenly in a cross-wise pattern in the sequence indicated (Cto

tor cannot function reliably. Only restart thetire pressure monitor when the defectivewheel has been replaced with a new wheel.
All mounted wheels must be equipped withfunctioning sensors for the tire pressure moni-tor.
Wheel and tire combinations
You can ask for information regarding permit-ted wheel/tire combinations at an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center.
!For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends that you only use tires and wheelswhich have been approved by Mercedes-Benz specifically for your vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted foruse with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP®, and are marked as follows:
RMO = Mercedes-Benz Original
RMOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
RMO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only cer-tain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires mayonly be used on wheels that have been spe-cifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories testedand approved by Mercedes-Benz. Certaincharacteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle noiseemissions or fuel consumption, may other-wise be adversely affected. In addition,when driving with a load, tire dimension var-iations could cause the tires to come intocontact with the bodywork and axle compo-nents. This could result in damage to thetires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for dam-age resulting from the use of tires, wheelsor accessories other than those tested andapproved.
Information on tires, wheels and approvedcombinations can be obtained from anyqualified specialist workshop.
!Retreaded tires are neither tested nor rec-ommended by Mercedes-Benz, since previ-ous damage cannot always be detected onretreaded tires. As a result, Mercedes-Benzcannot guarantee vehicle safety if retreadedtires are mounted. Do not mount used tires
if you have no information about their previ-ous usage.
The recommended pressures for various oper-ating conditions can be found:
Ron the Tire and Loading Information placardon the B-pillar on the driver's side
Rin the tire pressure table on the fuel fillerflap
Observe the notes on recommended tire pres-sures under various operating conditions(Ypage 296).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only whenthe tires are cold. Comply with the mainte-nance recommendations of the tire manufac-turer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – alwaysequip the vehicle:
Rwith tires of the same size on a given axle(left and right)
Rwith the same type of tires at a given time(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtendedtires)
Exception: it is permissible to mount a dif-ferent type or make in the event of a flattire. Observe the "MOExtended tires (tireswith run-flat characteristics)" section(Ypage 278).
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires arenot equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.It is therefore recommended that you addition-ally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if youmount tires that do not feature run-flat charac-teristics, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may beobtained from a qualified specialist workshop.
318Wheel and tire combinations
Wheels and tires