2004 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 263

Operation Tires and wheels Tires and wheels See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for information on tested and recommended rims and tires for summer and winter operation. They can also offer advice concerning tire service and purchase. Warning! Warning! G 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 1/8 in (3 mm). When replacing individual tires, you should mount new tires on the front wheels first (on vehicles with same-sized wheels all around). 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 result in the bolts loosening and may lead to an accident. G Replace rims or tires with the same designation, manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further information. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are mounted: The wheel brakes or suspension components can be damaged. The correct operating clearance of the wheels and the tires is no longer guaranteed. Retreaded tires are not tested or recommended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous damage cannot always be recognized on retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore not assure the operating safety of the vehicle when such tires are used. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for information on tested and recommended rims and tires for summer and winter operation. 262