tire size MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 User Guide

307 Operation
Tires and wheels
TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/6in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle capacity weight
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle's
designated seating capacity.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.

308 OperationTires and wheelsRotating tires
Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles
with tires of the same dimension all
around. If your vehicle is equipped with
tires of the same dimension all around,
tires can be rotated, observing a a
front-to-rear rotation pattern that will
maintain the intended rotation (spinning)
direction of the tire (
page 282).
In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer's recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 282).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 372) and
(
page 388).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs.
rear), tire rotation is not possible.
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.

311 Operation
Winter driving
Please 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

255/35 R19


255/35 ZR19


285 / 30 ZR19


285 / 35 R18


285 / 35 ZR18

423 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
17" tires
18" tires
SL 500*
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 17 H2
-
-
-
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
-
-
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98W
-
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 102V XL
or Extra Load M+S
-
-
-
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
-
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
-

425 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
SL 500
SL 500 (Sport Package*)
SL 600
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95W
255/40 R18 95W
255/40 R18 95Y
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
91/2 J x 18 H2
91/2 J x 18 H2
91/2 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.57 in (40 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
285/35 R18 97W
1
285/35 R18 97W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
285/35 R18 97Y
1