My 2014 SL550 currently has run flats. I'm considering replacing them at some point with regular tires (not run flats) for a better ride. For those that have made this switch, what are you doing for a "spare tire"? Spare tire "fix it" in a can or just counting on AAA or Mercedes Benz to come to the rescue?

 

We don't have a spare tire in our SL550. On occasion we've had nails and a cracked wheel that caused slow leaks. None of the issues have left us with a catastrophic failure on the side of the road. In that instance we would use a flatbed to haul the car to the shop. I've thought about buying an extra front and rear wheels with tires, but in five years of ownership we have not needed it. There really isn't a lot of space to put a spare anyway. I have a compressor and air hose in the garage and check the tires frequently as the car isn't driven a lot.

 

Thanks for the input Sunbeltgolfer. I have a compressor and air hose in our garage as well, but I was just curious how others who jettisoned the run flats were handling the potential of a flat out on the road. I've never used the "fix a flat in a can" so I'm not sure if that is something I should keep in the trunk when I switch out the run flats. I definitely don't plan on carrying a spare in the trunk of the SL. I don't know that one would fit anyway.

 

I don't carry the fix a flat in a can. It can get you back on the road as long as the damage isn't a large hole or a long cut. The amount of gunk that it puts inside the tire may make it impossible to balance afterward though. I suppose not being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night is worse than getting safely to a shop and having to replace the tire.

 

We carry an Airman Res Q Pro. Read about it on Amazon. It works. We also have AAA. And we have cell phones. Also, I reasoned that I have not had a flat on a car in the last 40 years or more. If I have a flat, I will figure it out.

We got the runflats off the SL and it drives and rides like a different car. It is worth the tradeoff for us. Even if you have runflats and have a flat, you probably cannot fix it. You will need another tire. Good luck finding one wherever you are. Most places will not fix a runflat tire. With my Michelins, I plan to get to a tire shop and have the tire fixed and go from there.

 

This is a reoccurring question/debate coming up. Some folks get quite worked up about the lack of spare tires. I have had neither a spare nor run flat tires for pretty much the last decade. Cars came like that from the factory. Performance models such as the 63 AMGs and above typically don't have run flats, but also no spare. Instead they come with the fix-a-flat goop and a compressor. Reality is as the poster above said, I haven't really had a major failure in this time. Plenty of nails and screws, though, but as said those are slow leaks and I always ended up finding them when checking the tire pressure at home every two weeks and performing a visual inspection of the tires, or sometimes it just happened to be visible when I parked and it caught my eye. There was always plenty of time to get it patched and plugged w/o needing a spare or using the goop. Worst case if I end up with a flat, there's always road assistance. Yes, it'll be a pain, but it's not like it happens every day. I do however also carry a Dynaplug tire repair toolkit, because I often go for a drive in the remote canyons where there is no cell reception, so that gives me another option to plug a tire as an alternative to using the goop. And as said above, run flats don't protect you from major failures. You can't drive on a sliced open run flat tire, either.

 

Awesome! Thanks for that info Panama! I just looked at the Airman Res Q Pro on Amazon as you suggested. Looks like the perfect solution. I will be sticking one of these in my trunk as soon as I replace the run flats.

The obvious next question: What tires are did you put on to replace the run flats?

 

I have non run flats that were on the SL when I purchased it.
I carry a small flat jack (if the nail, etc. is in the back and I can't get to it by simply turning the steering wheel) a tire repair kit, gloves, fix a flat, lug wrench, razor blades and an electric air pump. All of this fits under the rear hatch below the lower section. I have only had one leak so far, but at least I have a chance to do the repair should a flat happen. I have AAA which gives me 6 free tows per year, as well as my own insurance that also provides free tows. (Sometimes one service takes longer than the lower, so I go with which ever can get to me first)

Let me say this with all respect to any prior posters, or those that may post later. DO NOT use anyones stories about driving for x amount of years and never having a flat, an issue, a problem, a whatever as a gauge for you and your safety, or preparedness. The roads you travel, the city you live in, the distances you drive, how you drive, as well as the time of day you drive can vary greatly from anyone on this site. Although I have not had a flat in my SL yet, I have had a leak in one tire when I first got my AM wheels put on. (bad seal) I was able to make it back to the tire place (1 mile) before the tire went all the way flat. I have had about 6 flats in my SUV over the last 5 years for a number of reasons. I have changed the flats myself most of the time, but the last few I had AAA change the tire.

From one SL owner to another, either keep your run flats, or put together a setup to help out should that rare one in a million chance you do get a flat. It looks like you are doing just that, so great. One other thing, I drive my car far and a lot. I am not the guy that buys a nice car and then doesn't drive far from home for fear of getting a flat. Tow services are slow at times, get lost, or whatever. Tires shops and the dealers are not open 24 hours and nowadays you can have an issue if you think you can just show up for service without a long wait. Many are doing appointments, but not all. Plan for the worse and you will be covered.

Best wishes....

 

In regard to tires, we are currently using Michelin Pilot Sport 4S max performance summer tire. Definitely improved the ride compared to the run flats that came on the car. We have also used Continental Extreme Contact, but don't care for them as much as the Michelin.

 

My SL450 never goes much further than about 30 miles from home. I am running conventional tires, with no spare. If I get a flat, I’ll have AAA or MB Roadside flatbed my baby to a local tire shop or home, depending on the day & time.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+..... I think I got that right LOL... we looked a lot. Thank you Streamliner for your help...It is an all season tire. Our SL is not a garage queen. We drive and use it. Some tires are more for summer use and dry pavement. We needed all season.

One example of our use is that we are taking the SL to Arkansas Ouachita mountains to watch the leaves turn. It is one of the top autumn leaf changing drives in all the USA. We will take the Expedition for all our stuff and the dog. We are taking the SL also for the mountain leaf drives and curvy highway excursions.... We bought it to use it......it gets babied for sure - but it also gets driven.

I think Michelin makes about the same tire now but gave it a different designator... The car is so much better without the runflats. The RIDE is so much better.

 

ThatsMyDawg....

You posted this earlier on this thread...

carry a small flat jack (if the nail, etc. is in the back and I can't get to it by simply turning the steering wheel) a tire repair kit, gloves, fix a flat, lug wrench, razor blades and an electric air pump. All of this fits under the rear hatch below the lower section. I have only had one leak so far, but at least I have a chance to do the repair should a flat happen.

I am very interested as being as prepared as I can be for this. What kind of flat jack did you buy for the SL? And why would you need it? And where would you lift the car? I would be scared to jack this car up i think. I read that it can screw up the top. And -- Why a lug wrench?

This conversation reminds that i wanted to add a spray bottle of soap bubbles... I plan to plug a leak.

 

Panama

What kind of flat jack did you buy for the SL? And why would you need it?
If the nail is in a rear tire and I can't reach it easily by simply turning the steering wheel like on the front tires I will jack the car up to have better access to the problem area. Also if I don't feel like laying on the ground.






Under the rear hatch cover. My items fit without issue.

And where would you lift the car? I would be scared to jack this car up i think. I read that it can screw up the top.
There are Jack points under the car, I have jacked up the car multiple times. To look around, to check for leaks and rust, to work on my calipers, etc. I have had zero issues jacking up the SL.

And -- Why a lug wrench?
If I just don't feel comfortable on the ground, or am having trouble reaching something, or completing the repair, or if the weather is not great, whatever I will take the wheel off to get at the repair more easily. I am old and sometimes things hurt for no reason. Also the ground may be wet, or whatever.

This conversation reminds that i wanted to add a spray bottle of soap bubbles... I plan to plug a leak.
Good idea,

 

 

Agree with many of the points above regarding equipment and simply being prepared. I currently run Conti Extreme Contact DWS 06 non-RF on the stock wagon wheels. I carry a tire plug kit and a 12v air compressor that runs off the trunk or interior accessory outlets. Also carry a low-profile floor jack and a nice long breaker bar with the correct size lug bolt socket in case a wheel needs to come off to get at the puncture. Everything fits in the lower trunk compartment with some padding to quiet any rattling. Also have AAA ready as a backup plan. Can't even remember the last time I had to change a flat out on the road even with the vehicles I drive that have spare tires.

 

When we take the SL to the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas to be around the area for leaf changing this fall, we will be in a pretty rural isolated area in the national forest. We are going to take excursions to Eureka Springs and the Crystal Bridges Museum. I understand it is unbelievable.

I am adding some stuff for this trip that I don't normally worry about because we will be away from civilization a little. We rented a house for a week and will explore the forest areas. So I am adding a floor jack to the SL just in case. I am preparing for possible no cell service in some spans of our drive. In adding the floor jack. I read about an adapter gizmo that would help. I hope I never get into position that I need to jack up a wheel..... I am trying to find the proper lift points for the jack. .... and looking for info about if I need this adapter or not?,?? I hope this link to one if them works.

https://picclick.com/Mercedes-Benz-M...890552162.html

Will I need one of these if I get in a bind and I have to jack up a tire out in the boonies?

 

Here is the location of the right rear jack point on my 2015 SL400. You can see the cutout is rectangular. Not sure if this may be different on other models.




And here is the tool I would buy if I was going to buy one.


The reason I haven't bought this tool is that the round base of the tool (3" as stated in the description) is too big for the saddle of my floor jack. Accordingly, I just use the jack as is. Unless you are going to be jacking up your vehicle on a regular basis, I would say it's OK to go without a jack pad tool. The jack pad underneath the car seems pretty sturdy for infrequent or emergency use. No matter what you decide I would definitely recommend a dry run to test your solution, including making sure you can remove the lug bolts on all your wheels.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned. May the journey be inspiring, and the mechanicals be uneventful :-)

 

I purchased a tire sealant and pump kit on eBay for $37. Same as OEM Mercedes. Same manufacturer, same shape, size and color. Fits perfectly in the cutouts in the trunk. The only thing that’s different is that the labels say Mitsubishi rather than Mercedes. Crazy price difference.

 

I purchased this jack pad adapter. Specifically for BMW but fits perfectly for the R231 SL550.