Mercedes-Benz 2009 SLK-Class Automobile User Manual


 
Tires and wheels
230
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Important guidelines
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Only use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
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Tires must be of the correct size for the rim.
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Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
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Regularly check the tires and rims for dam-
age. Dented or bent rims can cause tire
inflation pressure loss and damage to the
tire beads.
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If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire infla-
tion pressure and correct as required.
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Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths of less
than
1
/
8
in (3 mm).
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When replacing individual tires, you should
mount new tires on the front wheels first
(on vehicles with same-sized wheels all
around).
Tire care and maintenance
G
Warning!
Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam-
aged tires can cause tire inflation pressure
loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage,
replace them.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least every
other week. For more information on check-
ing tire inflation pressure, see “Recom-
mended tire inflation pres-
sure” (Y page 235).
Tire inspection
Every time you check the tire inflation pres-
sure, you should also inspect your tires for the
following:
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excessive treadwear (Y page 230)
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cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
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bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in the
tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Make sure you also inspect the spare tire
periodically for condition and inflation. Spare
tires will age and become worn over time even
if never used, and thus should be inspected
and replaced when necessary.
Life of tire
G
Warning!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced
after 6 years, regardless of the remaining
tread.
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
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Driving style
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Tire inflation pressure
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Distance driven
Tread depth
G
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1
/
16
in
Operation