tire size MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2006 R171 User Guide

346 OperationTires and wheelsTIN (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
1/16
in (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.

347 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating 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
front-to-rear rotation pattern that will
maintain the intended rotation (spinning)
direction of the tire (
page 320).
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 320).
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 discs, 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 388) and
(
page 408).
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
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.

349 Operation
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
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.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 85) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permit-
ted with the collapsible tire and
MOExtended tires in general, and/or
the following tire sizes:

225/45 R17


245/40 R17


225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)


245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)

413 Practical hints
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 408).

Take the collapsible tire, wheel wrench,
wheel bolts, jack, and electric air pump
out of the trunk (
page 388).Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizeable ob-
jects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 388).
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should cir-
cumstances require you to do so on a hill,
place the wheel chock and the other size-
able object as follows:

Place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
with collapsible tire replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel with collapsible tire is mounted.

440 Technical dataRims and tires
iThe following pages also list the ap-
proved wheel rim and tire sizes for
equipping your vehicles with winter
tires. Winter tires are not available as
standard or optional factory equip-
ment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the
standard or optional factory-equipped
wheel rim/tire configuration on your
vehicle (Sport Package etc.), equipping
your vehicle with winter tires approved
for your vehicle model may also require
the purchase of two or four wheel rims
of the recommended size for use with
these winter tires. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more infor-
mation.

441 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tiresModel
SLK 280
SLK 280
SLK 350
Summer tires
1
1Radial-ply tires
-
-
Rims (light alloy)
-
-
Wheel offset
-
-
Winter tires
1,2
2Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S.
225/45 R17 91H M+S.
Rims (light alloy)
7Jx16H2
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
Winter tires*
1,2,3
3Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.
225/45 R17 91H M+S.MOExtended
Rims (light alloy)
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.42 in (36 mm)

443 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
SLK 280
SLK 280*
SLK 350
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)
7 J x 16 H2
7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
Summer tires
1
205/55 R16 91W
225/45 R17 91W
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended
2
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
8 J x16 H2
8.5 J x17 H2
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires
1,3
225/50 R16 92W
245/40 R17 91W
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended
2
1Radial-ply tires2Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.3Must not be used with snow chains.

477 Index
Removing wheel 415
Retreads 317
Rims and tires 439
Rotating 347
Run Flat Indicator* 329
Service life 318
Sizes 439
Snow chains 349
Spare wheel 391
Speed rating 298
Storing 319
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 304
Temperature 343
Traction 298
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 297
Wear pattern 347
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Winter 348
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 426
Traction 163, 346Transmission, display message 372
Transporting the vehicle 89
Traveling abroad 301
Tread 346
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators 297, 346
Trip computer menu (Control
system) 149
Trunk 98
Cargo compartment cover 253
Lighting 118
Trunk lid emergency release 100
Trunk lid lock 395
Unlocking with SmartKey 96
Turn signals 55, 401
Additional in mirrors 401
TWI see Treadwear indicatorsU
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 346
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 102
In an emergency 280
With SmartKey 34
Upholstery
Cleaning 360
Useful features
Ashtray 269
Cigarette lighter 270
Cup holder 268
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 271
Garage door opener* 281
Heated steering wheel* 288
Parcel net 267
Power outlet 271
Storage compartments, interior 266
Tele Aid 273
Telephone* 272