MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER 2012 Owners Manual

The service life of tyres depends on various
factors, including the following:
R
driving style
R tyre pressure
R mileage MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat char-
acteristics) allow you to continue driving the
vehicle even if one or more tyres lose all air
pressure.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in con-
junction with an activated tyre pressure loss
warning system or with an activated tyre pres-
sure monitor and on wheels specifically tes-
ted by Mercedes-Benz.
i Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with the TIREFIT
kit if you fit tyres that do not feature run-
flat characteristics, e.g. winter tyres. A
TIREFIT kit can be obtained from a qualified
specialist workshop.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tyres in
the event of a flat tyre can be found in the
"Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 272). Winter operation
Points to remember
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 294). Driving with summer tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, summer tyres
lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power; change the tyres on your vehi- cle to M+S tyres. Using summer tyres at very
cold temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tyres permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage.
M+S tyres
At temperatures below +7 †, use winter tyres
or all-season tyres. Both types of tyre are
identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tyres bearing the isnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions. Only these tyres will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to
function optimally in winter. These tyres have
been developed specifically for driving in
snow.
Use M+S tyres of the same make and tread
on all wheels to maintain safe handling char-
acteristics. G
WARNING
M+S tyres with a tyre tread depth of less than
4mma re not suitable for use in winter as they
do not provide sufficient traction. There is a
risk of accident.
M+S tyres with a tread depth of less than
4 mm must be replaced.
Always observe the maximu mpermissible
speed specified for the M+S tyres you have
fitted.
If you fit M+S tyres that have a lower maxi-
mum permissible speed than that of the vehi-
cle, affix an appropriate warning sign in the
driver's field of vision. This can be obtained in
a qualified specialist workshop.
Under these circumstances, you should also
restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle
using permanent SPEEDTRONIC so that it
does not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for the M+S tyres (Y page 156).288
Winter operationWheels and tyres

When you have fitted M+S tyres:
X
Check the tyre pressures (Y page 289).
X Restart the tyre pressure loss warning sys-
tem (Y page 291).
After fitting a spare wheel or an emergency
spare wheel, do not drive faster than
80 km/h. G
WARNING
The wheel/tyre dimensions and the tyre type
of the spare wheel/emergency spare wheel
and the wheel to be replaced may differ. Fit-
ting a spare wheel/emergency spare wheel
may severely impair the driving characteris-
tics. There is a risk of accident.
To preven thazardous situations:
R Adap tyour driving style accordingly and
drive carefully.
R Never fit more than one spare wheel/emer-
gency spare wheel if the dimesions are dif-
ferent to those of the wheel being replaced.
R Only use a spare wheel/emergency spare
wheel briefly if the dimesions are different
to those of the wheel being replaced.
R Do not switch off ESP ®
.
R Have the spare wheel/emergency spare
wheel in question replaced at the nearest
qualified specialist workshop. Make sure
that the wheel/tyre dimensions and tyre
type are correct. Snow chains
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 that are of a corre-
sponding standard of quality. If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
R
snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel-
tyre combinations. Permissible wheel-tyre
combinations (Y page 295).
R snow chains must not be fitted to the emer-
gency spare wheel, e.g. a collapsible emer-
gency spare wheel.
R fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the
rear wheels. Observe the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you wish
to fit snow chains to steel wheels, make
sure that you remove the respective
wheels' hubcaps first. The hubcaps may
otherwise be damaged.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 km/h.
i You may wish to deactivate
ESP ®
(Y page 56) when pulling away with
snow chains fitted. This way you can allow
the wheels to spin in a controlled manner,
achieving an increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure specifications
G
WARNING
Tyres with too low or too high tyre pressure
contain the following hazards:
R they can burst, in particular if the vehicle is
heavily laden or when driven at high
speeds.
R the tyres can wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which can severely impair tyre
traction.
R the driving, steering and braking character-
istics may be severely impaired.
There is a risk of accident. Tyre pressure
289Wheels and tyres
Z

Follow recommended tyre inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tyres includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R at least every two weeks
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R for changed operating conditions, e.g. off-
road driving
If necessary, correct the tyre pressure.
You will find a table of tyre pressures for var-
ious operating conditions on the inside of
your vehicle's fuel filler flap.
Operation with the emergency spare
wheel: the applicable value for the emer-
gency spare wheel is stated on the spare
wheel and in the chapter on "Wheel-tyre com-
binations" (Y page 295).
Operation with a trailer: the applicable
value for the rear tyres is the maximum tyre
pressure value stated in the table inside the
fuel filler flap.
The table inside the fuel filler flap may state
tyre pressures for different load conditions.
These are defined in the table as different
numbers of passengers and amounts of lug-
gage. The actual number of seats may vary –
for more information, please refe rto the vehi-
cle's registration documents.
If no other data is stated, the tyre pressures
specified on the tyre pressure label on the
filler flap apply to all tyres approved for this
vehicle. If a tyre size precedes a tyre pressure, the tyre
pressure information following is only valid
for that tyre size.
To test tyre pressure, use a suitable pressure
gauge. The outer appearance of a tyre does
not permit any reliable conclusion about the
tyre pressure. G
WARNING
If you fit unsuitable accessories onto tyre
valves, the tyre valves may be overloaded and
malfunction, which can cause tyre pressure
loss. Due to their design, retrofitted tyre pres-
sure monitors keep the tyre valve open. This
can also result in tyre pressure loss. There is
a risk of accident.
Only screw standard valve caps or valve caps
specifically provided by Mercedes-Benz for
your vehicle onto the tyre valve. G
WARNING
If the tyre pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tyre may be damaged. Tyre
pressure that is too low may result in a tyre
blow-out. There is a risk of accident.
R Check the tyre for foreign objects.
R Check whether the wheel is losing air or the
valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage, con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop.
If possible, only correc ttyre pressures when
the tyres are cold.
The tyres are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked with the tyres
out of direc tsunlight for at least three
hours and
R if the vehicle has no tbeen driven further
than 1.6 km
Depending on the ambient temperature, the
speed you are driving at and the load on the
tyres, the tyre temperature may change thus
the tyre pressure changes by approximately
10 kPa (0.1 bar, 1.5 psi) per 10 †. Take this
into accoun twhen checking the pressure of 290
Tyre pressureWheels and tyres

warm tyres and only correct it if it is too low
for the current operating conditions.
Driving with tyre pressure that is too high or
too low can:
R shorten the service life of the tyres
R cause increased tyre damage
R have a negative effect on handling charac-
teristics and thus the driving safety (e.g .by
causing aquaplaning)
i The tyre pressure values given for low
loads are minimum values which offe ryou
good ride comfor tcharacteristics.
However, you can also use the values given
for higher loads. These are permissible and
will not adversely affect the running of the
vehicle. H
Environmental note
Check the tyre pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days.
For speeds up to 210 km/h the values given
on the tyre pressure information label (fuel
filler flap) may be reduced by 30 kPa (0.3 bar,
4p si) without a reduction in safety.
This improves the ride comfort of your vehi-
cle; however, the fuel consumption may
increase slightly. Tyre pressure loss warning system
Important safety notes While the vehicle is in motion, the tyre pres-
sure loss warning system monitors the set
tyre pressure using the rotational speed of
the wheels. This enables the system to detect
significant pressure loss in a tyre. If the speed
of rotation of a wheel changes as a result of
a loss of pressure, a corresponding warning
message will appearint he multifunction dis-
play.
The tyre pressure warning system does not
warn you of an incorrectly set tyre pressure.
Observe the notes on the recommended tyre
pressure (Y page 289). The tyre pressure loss warning system does
not replace the need to regularly check your
vehicle's tyre pressures, since an even loss of
pressure on several tyres at the same time
cannot be detected by the tyre pressure loss
warning system.
The tyre pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tyre is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering manoeuvres.
The function of the tyre pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R
snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's
tyres.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration).
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R
changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre
pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap
to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four
tyres is set correctly for the respective
operating conditions.
The tyre pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tyre pressure. If an incorrect
tyre pressure is set, these incorrectv alues
will be monitored.
X Observe the notes in the section on tyre
pressures ( Ypage 289). Tyre pressure
291Wheels and tyres Z

X
Make sure that the key is in posi-
tion 2(Ypage 127) in the ignition lock.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Tyre pressure .
X Press the abutton.
The Run Flat Indicator active Restart with OK message appears in the
multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the abutton.
The Tyre press. now OK? message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Yes .
X Press the abutton.
The Run Flat Indicator restarted message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the %button.
or
X If the Tyre press. now OK? message
appears, press the 9or: button to
select Cancel .
X Press the abutton.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Tyre pressure monitor
Important safety notes It is the driver's responsibility to set the tyre
inflation to the recommended cold tyre pres-
sure suitable to the operating situation
(Y
page 289). Note that the correct tyre pres-
sure for the current operating situation must
first be taught-in to the tyre pressure monitor. If there is a substantial loss of pressure, the
warning threshold for the warning message is
aligned to the reference values entered.
Restart the tyre pressure monitor after
adjusting to the cold tyre pressure.
(Y page 293) The current pressures are
saved as new reference values. As a result, a
warning message will appearift he tyre pres-
sure drops significantly.
The tyre pressure monitor does not warn you
of an incorrectly set tyre pressure. Observe
the notes on the recommended tyre pressure
(Y page 289).
The tyre pressure monitor is not able to warn
you of a sudden loss of pressure, e.g. if the
tyre is penetrated by a foreign object. In the
event of a sudden loss of pressure, bring the
vehicle to a halt by braking carefully. Avoid
abrupt steering manoeuvres.
If a tyre pressure monitor system is fitted, the
vehicle's wheels have sensors fitted that
monitor the tyre pressures in all four tyres.
The tyre pressure monitor warns you if the
pressure drops in one or more of the tyres.
The tyre pressure monitor only functions if
the correct sensors are fitted to all wheels.
Information on tyre pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display. After a few minutes
of driving, the current tyre pressure of each
tyre is shown in the multifunction display.
i The tyre pressure values indicated by the
on-board computer may differ from those
measured at a filling station with a pressure
gauge. The tyre pressures shown by the on-
board computer refer to those measured at
sea level. At high altitudes, the tyre pres-
sure values indicated by a pressure gauge
are higher than those shown by the on-
board computer. In this case, do not reduce
the tyre pressures.
i The operation of the tyre pressure moni-
tor can be affected by interference from
radio transmitting equipment (e.g. radio
headphones, two-way radios) that may be
being operated in or near the vehicle. 292
Tyre pressureWheels and tyres

Checking tyre pressure electronically
X
Make sure that the key is in posi-
tion 2(Ypage 127) in the ignition lock.
X Press the =or; buttononthe steer-
ing wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Tyre pressure .
X Press the abutton.
The current tyre pressure for each wheel
will be displayed in the multifunction dis-
play.
If the vehicle has been parked for longer than
20minutes, the Tyre pressures will be displayed after a few minutes of
driving message appears.
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
monitor automatically recognises new
wheels or new sensors. As long as a clear
allocation of the tyre pressure values to the
individual wheels is not possible, the Tyrepressure monitor active display mes-
sage is shown instead of the tyre pressure
display. The tyre pressures are already being
monitored.
i If a spare wheel/emergency spare wheel
is fitted, the system may continue to show
the tyre pressure of the wheel that has
been removed for a few minutes. If this
occurs, note that the value displayed for
the position where the spare wheel/emer-
gency spare wheel is fitted is not the same
as the spare wheel/emergency spare
wheel's current tyre pressure.
Warning messages of the tyre pressure
monitor If the tyre pressure monitor detects a signifi-
cant pressure loss on one or more tyres, a
warning message is shown in the multifunc-
tion display. Awarning tone also sounds and
the tyre pressure warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster. Each tyre that is affected by a significant loss
of pressure is highlighted in the pressure dis-
play.
If the
Please correct tyre pressure message appears in the multifunction dis-
play:
X
Chec kthe tyre pressure on all four wheels
and correct it if necessary.
i If the wheel positions on the vehicle are
interchanged, the tyre pressures may be
displayed for the wrong positions for a
short time. This is rectified after a few
minutes of driving, and the tyre pressures
are displayed for the correct positions.
Restarting the tyre pressure monitor When you restart the tyre pressure monitor,
all existing warning messages are deleted and
the warning lamps go out. The monitor uses
the currently set tyre pressures as the refer-
ence values for monitoring. In most cases, the
tyre pressure monitor will automatically
detect the new referencev
alues after you
have changed the tyre pressure.
i For an overview of th emenus, see
(Y page 182).
If you wish to define the new reference values
manually:
X Use the table on the inside of the fuel filler
flap to ensure that the tyre pressure is set
correctly in all four tyres for the current
operating conditions.
Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 289).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Tyre pressure .
X Press the abutton.
The multifunction display shows the cur-
rent tyre pressure of the individual tyres or Tyre pressure
293Wheels and tyres Z

the
Tyre pressures will be dis‐ played after a few minutes of driv‐
ing message.
X Press the :button.
The Use current pressures as new reference values message appears in
the multifunctio ndisplay.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the abutton.
The Tyre press. monitor restarted message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
After you have drive
nfor a few minutes, the
system checks whether the current tyre
pressures are within the specified range.
The new tyre pressures are then accepted
as reference values and monitored.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the %button.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored.
Radio type approval for the tyre pres-
sure monitor In certain countries, a radio type approval for
the tyre pressure monitor may be required.
The radio type approval number for the tyre
pressure monitor can be found online at:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/
betriebsanleitung. Changing
awheel Flat tyre
The "Breakdown assistance" section
(Y page 263) contains information and notes
on how to deal with a fla ttyre. It also provides
instructions on changing a wheel or fitting the
spare wheel/emergency spare wheel. Interchanging the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the drivin gcharacteristics if
the wheels or tyres have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components
may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Interchange front and rear wheels only if the
wheels and tyres are of the same dimensions.
Interchanging the front and rear wheels of
differing dimensions can render the general
operating permit invalid.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notices in the section on "Wheel
changing and spare wheel fitting"
(Y page 266).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tyres
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Interchange the wheels before a clear wear
pattern has formed on the tyres. Front tyres
typically wear more on the shoulders and the
rear tyres in the centre.
On vehicles that have the same size front and
rear wheels, you can interchange the wheels
every 5,000km to 10,000 km depending on
the degree of tyre wear. Maintain the direc-
tion of tyre rotation.
Cleant he contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is interchanged. Check the tyre pressure and,
if necessary, restart the tyre pressure loss
warning system or the tyre pressure monitor.
! On vehicles fitted with a tyre pressure
monitor, electronic components are loca-
ted in the wheel.
Tyre-fitting tools should not be applied in
the area of the valve, as this could damage
the electronic components.
Only have tyres changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. 294
Changing
awheelWheels and tyres

Direction of rotation
Tyres with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of aquaplaning .You will only gain these ben-
efits if the correct direction of rotation is
observed.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tyre indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may fit a spare wheel/emergency spare
wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limitation specified on the emer-
gency spare wheel/spare wheel. Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protec tthe
tyres against oil, grease, petrol and diesel. Cleaning the wheels
G
WARNING
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your
vehicle, in particular the tyres. You could oth-
erwise damage the tyres and cause an acci-
dent. Wheel and tyre combinations
Points to remember
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Ben zrec-
ommends that you only use tyres and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benzs pecifically for your vehi-
cle. These are specially adapted to the control
systems, such as ABS or ESP
®
and are
marked as follows:
R MO =Mercedes-BenzO riginal
R MOE =Mercedes-BenzO riginal Extended
(tyres featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 =Mercedes-BenzO riginal (only cer-
tain AMG tyres)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tyres
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tyres, wheels or accessories tes-
ted and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Cer-
tain characteristics, e.g. handling, vehicle
noise emissions or fuel consumption, may
otherwise be adversely affected. In addi-
tion, when driving with aload, tyre dimen-
sion variations could cause the tyres to
come into contact with the bodywork and
axle components.T his could result in dam-
age to the tyres or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Ben zaccepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tyres,
wheels or accessories othe rthan those tes-
ted and approved.
Further information about wheels, tyres
and approved combinations can be
obtained from any qualified specialist
workshop.
! Large wheels: the lower the section width
for a certain wheel size, the lower the ride
comfort is on poor road surfaces. Roll com-
fort and suspension comfort are reduced
and the risk of damage to the wheels and
tyres as a result of driving over obstacles
increases.
i You will find a table of tyre pressures on
the inside of your vehicle's fuel filler flap.
For further information on tyre pressure,
see (Y page 289). Check tyre pressures
regularly, and only when the tyres are cold. Wheel and tyre combinations
295Wheels and tyres Z

i
Notes on the vehicle equipment –always
fit the vehicle:
R with tyres of the same size on a given axle
(left/right)
R with the same type of tyres at a given
time (summer tyres, winter tyres,
MOExtended tyres)
i Vehicles with MOExtended tyres 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 fit tyres that do not feature run-flat
characteristics, e.g. winter tyres. A TIREFIT
kit can be obtained fro maqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
i Overview of abbreviations used in the fol-
lowing tyre tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
In the following table, the wheel/tyre combi-
nations are allocated to the vehicle models
through variants, e.g. V1, V2 etc.: V1
SLK 200
16
, SLK 250 16 V2
SLK 250 CDI
16 V3
SLK 350
16 V4 SLK 55 AMG
i
Not all wheel/tyre combinations can be
mounted at the factory in all countries.
16 BlueEFFICIENCY 296
Wheel and tyre combinationsWheels and tyres

Tyres
Summer tyres Light-alloy wheels V1 V2 V3 V4
BA
205/5
5 R16 91 V 17 7.0
Jx16 H2 ET 37.5 #
— — —
BA
205/55 R16 91 V
17 7.0 J x 16 H2 ET 38 #
— — —
FA
RA
205/55 R16 91 W
17
225/50 R16 92 W 17, 18 7.0
Jx16 H2 ET 37.5
8.0 Jx16 H2 ET 33.5 # #
— —
FA
RA
205/55 R16 91 W
17
225/50 R16 92 W 17 7.0 J x 16 H2 ET 38
7.5
Jx16 H2 ET 45.5 — #
— —
FA
RA 225/45 R17 91 W
245/40
R17 91 W 18, 19 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 42
8.5 J x 17 H2 ET 36 # # #
—
FA
RA
225/45 R17 91 W MOExtended
20
245/40 R17 91 W
MOExtended 18, 19, 20 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 42
8.5 J x 17 H2 ET 36 # # #
—
FA
RA
225/40 R18 92 Y XL
21
245/35 R18 92 Y XL 18, 19, 21 7.5 J x 18 H2 ET 42
8.5 J x 18 H2 ET 36 # # #
—
FA
RA 235/40 ZR18 95
YXL
255/35 ZR18 94 Y XL 19, 21 8.0 J x 18 H2 ET 43
9.0 J x 18 H2 ET 42 — — — #
Winter tyres Light-allo
ywheels V1 V2 V3 V4
BA
205/55 R1 6 91 H M+S
i17 7.0
Jx16 H2 ET 37.5 # #
— —
BA
205/55 R1 6 91 H M+S
i17 7.0 J x 16 H2 ET 38 # #
— —
BA
225/45 R17 91 H M+S
i18 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 42 # # #
—
BA 235/40 R18 95 V XL M+S
i 8.0 J x 18 H2 ET 43 — — — #
FA
RA 235/40 R18 95 V XL M+S
i
255/35 R18 94 V XL
M+Si 19, 21 8.0 J x 18 H2 ET 43
9.0 J x 18 H2 ET 42 — — — #
17
Not in conjunction with Sports package code 950/952.
18 SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY (V1), SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY (V1). SLK 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (V2): additional
measures necessary (additional wheel-arch extensio nonrear axle wheel cutout).
19 Use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section.
20 MOExtended tyres (tyres featuring run-flat characteristics) only in combination with an activated tyre pres-
sure loss warning system.
21 Observe notes on "large wheels" in the "Wheel/tyre combinations" section. Wheel and tyre combinations
297Wheels and tyres Z