tires MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2000 Owner's Manual

235 Tires, Wheels
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc. Regular tire pressure checks at
intervals of no more than 14 days are therefore
essential.
If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.

262 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Technical
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due
to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be removed
or repaired with the car-care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of
your veh icl e a nd give importa nt “how-to” informa tion as
well as references to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.
Ad d it i on a l i n f or m a t i on c a n b e f ou nd i n t h e b oo k l e t ti t l e d
“Vehicle Care Guide”.
Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning the vehicle
always observe manufacturers’ operating instructions.
Caution!
Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The
intense jet of water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the surface.
Do not aim directly at soft top, electrical parts, electrical
connectors, seals, or other rubber parts.Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become
more difficult to remove. A tar remover is
recommended.
Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should be applied
when water drops on the paint surface to not “bead up”;
normally in 3 to 5 months, depending on climate and
washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner should be
applied if paint surface shows signs of dirt embedding
(i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if your car is
parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for quick and
provisional repairs of minor paint damage (i.e. chips
from stones, car doors, etc.).

268 Contents – Technical data
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Technical dataSpare parts service ........................269
Warranty coverage .........................269
Identification labels .......................270
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 271
Engine ..............................................272Rims - Tires .................................... 273
Weights ........................................... 275
Main Dimensions .......................... 275
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ....................................276
Engine oils ...................................... 278
Engine oil additives ...................... 278Air conditioner refrigerant ...........278
Brake fluid ......................................278
Premium unleaded gasoline ........279
Fuel requirements .........................279
Gasoline additives .........................280
Coolants ...........................................280
Consumer information ..................282

273 Technical data
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rims – Tires
2 Must only be used with special MB authorized snow chains.Rims and summer tires
(except Sport Package)
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R17 95 W
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R 17 45 H M+S
2
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R 17 95 W
2

274 Technical data
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2 Must only be used with special MB authorized snow chains.
3 Must not be used with snow chains.Rims and summer tires
(Sport package)
Model SL 500 SL 600
Rims front axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:8
1/2 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)8
1/2 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)
Rims rear axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:9
1/2 J x 18 H 2
0.9 in (23 mm)10 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle245/40 ZR 18
275/35 ZR 18
3
245/40 ZR 18
275/35 ZR 18
3
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 245/45 R 17 95W
2
245/45 R 17 95W
2

282 Consumer information
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Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) 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.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

283 Consumer information
Technical
data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Temp era tur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing 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.
Wa r n i n g !
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.

291
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Raising ........................................................................ 145
Spare parts service ........................................................269
Spare wheel ....................................................................228
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp ...........................................................206
Start lock-out .................................................................... 34
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 167
Steering column
Adjusting ...................................................................... 70
Steering lock ................................................................... 165
Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ....................................................... 124
Stowing things in the vehicle ...................................... 215
Sun visors ....................................................................... 123
Sunshade, electrical ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 59
Synchronizing power windows .....................................117
TTachometer ....................................................................... 79
Taillamp assemblies ......................................................249
Technical .........................................................................272Technical data ................................................................ 272
Electrical system ...................................................... 275
Main dimensions ..................................................... 275
Rims – Tires .............................................................. 273
Weights ...................................................................... 275
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 155
Information ................................................................ 159
Initiating an emergency call ................................... 157
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 158
Telephone, general ......................................................... 132
Telephones and two-way radio ..................................... 153
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................ 154
Tires
Driving instructions .................................................179
Inflation pressure .................................................... 234
Replacement ............................................................. 226
Speed rating ............................................................... 181
Traction ....................................................................... 180
Tow-away alarm ................................................................43
Tow-away protection ........................................................ 43
Towing the vehicle ........................................................ 240
Trip odometer ...................................................................79
Trunk .................................................................................39
Trunk lamp .................................................................... 259
Trunk lid release switch ................................................. 40