Storing Tires; Cleaning; Inspection; Service Life - Mercedes-Benz 2011 SL550 Roadster Operator's Manual

Tires and wheels
198
Tire inspection
Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your tires
for the following:
excessive treadwear (
R
cord or fabric showing through the tire's
R
rubber
bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in the
R
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:
Driving style
R
Tire inflation pressure
R
Distance driven
R
Tread depth
G
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible
at approximately
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
1
approaches /
properties on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Y page 198)
1
/ in (1.6 mm), we
16
in (3 mm), the adhesion
8
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply
reduced at tread depths of less than
(3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six places
on the tread circumference and become
visible at a tread depth of approximately
1
/ in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire is
16
considered worn and should be replaced.
The recommended minimum tire tread depth
1
for summer tires is /
recommended minimum tire tread depth for
1
winter tires is / in (4 mm).
6
Treadwear indicator : appears as a solid
band across the tread.

Storing tires

! Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Protect tires from contact with oil, grease
and fuels.
Cleaning tires
! Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
1
/ in
8
in (3 mm). The
8