tire size MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2004 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Practical hints................................. 281
What to do if … .................................. 282
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 282
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ......... 290
Messages in the display ............... 291
Where will I find ...? ........................... 323
First aid kit ................................... 323
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare
wheel ........................................... 323
Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 325
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 325
Locking the vehicle ...................... 327
Lowering the load assist manually 327
Replacing batteries in the
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 328
Replacing bulbs ................................. 331
Bulbs ............................................ 331
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 334
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 335Replacing wiper blades....................... 337
Removing wiper blades ................. 337
Installing wiper blades .................. 338
Flat tire ............................................... 339
Preparing the vehicle .................... 339
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1...... 340
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2...... 345
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 350
Batteries ............................................. 358
Disconnecting the batteries .......... 360
Removing the batteries ................. 361
Charging and reinstalling
batteries ....................................... 361
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 361
Jump starting ...................................... 363
Towing the vehicle .............................. 365
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 368
Fuses .................................................. 369
Main fuse box ............................... 369
Technical data.................................. 371
Spare parts service ............................ 372
Warranty coverage ............................. 373
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 373
Identification labels ............................ 374
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 375
SL 500 .......................................... 375
SL 55 AMG ................................... 375
SL 600 .......................................... 375
Engine ................................................ 376
Rims and tires .................................... 378
Same size tires ............................. 379
Mixed size tires ............................. 380
Spare wheel .................................. 382
Electrical system ................................ 383
Main dimensions ................................ 384
Weights .............................................. 385

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 282).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravelThe switch is located in the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP switch

Press ESP switch1 until the ABS/ESP
warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster comes on.
ESP is deactivated.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton in position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 378).
Warning!
G
ESP should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.!Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
iDistronic* cannot be activated when
the ESP has been deactivated.


262 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire pressure loss or damage the
tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged.


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires is no longer guaran-
teed.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and may lead to
an accident.

267 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3 000
to 6 000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or
sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure, activat-
ing the tire inflation pressure monitor if
necessary. For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 323) and
(
page 339).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
!If your vehicle is equipped with a tire in-
flation pressure monitor*, there are
electronic components built into the
wheel.
Do not use mounting tools in the area
of the valve as they could damage the
electronic components.
To prevent damage or incorrect instal-
lation, have the tires changed at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

270 OperationWinter drivingPlease observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with the spare wheel and with tire size
285 / 35 R18.

379 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
17’’ tires
18’’ tires
SL 500*
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 17
-
-
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
-
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98W
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98V M+S
-
-
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18
81/2 J x 18
81/2 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95V M+S
255/40 R18 95V M+S
255/40 R18 95V M+S

380 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size tires
SL 500
SL 500 (Sport Package*)
SL 600
SL 600 (Sport Package*)
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18
81/2 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95W
255/40 R18 95Y
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
91/2 J x 18
91/2 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.57 in (40 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
285/35 R18 97W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
285/35 R18 97Y
1