Mercedes-Benz SL SERIES Operator's Manual page 584

All about wheels and tires
582
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on dry road surfa-
ces.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freez-
ing point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a minimum
tread depth of ã in (4 mm) on all four winter
tires. Observe the legally required minimum
tire tread depth (
reduce the braking distance on snow-covered
surfaces in comparison with summer tires.
The braking distance is still much further than
on surfaces that are not icy or covered with
snow. Take appropriate care when driving.
Further information on winter tires (M+S
tires) ( page 570).
Y
Temperature
G WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause excessive heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. These represent the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive tempera-
ture can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
page 569). Winter tires can
Y
Tire labeling
Overview
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard
:
( page 586)
Y
DOT, Tire Identification Number
;
( page 585)
Y
Maximum tire load (
=
Maximum tire pressure (
?
Manufacturer
A
Tire material ( page 586)
B
Y
Tire size designation, load-bearing capa-
C
city and speed index (
Load index ( page 585)
D
Y
Tire name
E
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales designa-
tion) and the manufacturer's name.
i
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating
G WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There
is a risk of accident.
page 585)
Y
page 574)
Y
page 582)
Y