2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG winter tires

309 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 437).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started and the
SBC brake system will be fully opera-
tional even at low ambient tempera-
tures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

310 OperationWinter drivingAlways observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iBlock heater not available for
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select setting 1 of the level control sys-
tem (
page 221). Other settings may
result in damage to your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.

423 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
17" tires
18" tires
SL 500*
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 17 H2
-
-
-
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
-
-
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98W
-
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 102V XL
or Extra Load M+S
-
-
-
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18 H2
-
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
-
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95V M+S
255/40 R18 95V M+S
255/40 R18 95V M+S
-

424 Technical dataRims and tires19" tires
SL 500*
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
-
-
-
81/2 J x 19 EH2
Wheel offset
-
-
-
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
-
255/35 R19 96V XL or
Extra Load M+S
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

465 Index
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 280
Tire load rating 307
Tire ply composition and material
used 307
Tire speed rating 261, 297, 307, 444
Tire terminology 305
Tire traction 261
TIREFIT
Instructions for use 388
TIREFIT kit 373, 388
Tires 279
Direction of rotation 282
Driving instructions 259
Messages in display 365
Messages in the display 343, 344
Retreads 279
Rims and tires 422
Rotating 308
Service life 280Temperature 289, 304
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 333
Tread depth 281, 309
Wear pattern 308
Winter 309
Tools 372
Tow-away alarm 90
Arming 90
Disarming 90
Disarming for transport 90
Tow-away alarm switch 30
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 411
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 170, 307, 444
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 307
Tread depth 281Treadwear indicators 307
Trip computer 159
Trip odometer 25
Resetting 132
Trunk
Closing the lid 109
Lighting 130
Load assist 235
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 104
Messages in display 371
Opening from inside vehicle 108
Parcel net 231
Trunk lid lock 375
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Unlocking in an emergency 375
Unlocking separately 98
Trunk lid
Opening 107
Trunk lid emergency release 109

467 Index
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 216
Distronic* 211
Drivers seat belts 69
Warranty coverage 417
Washing the vehicle 317
Wear pattern (tires) 308
Wheel bolts
Tightening torque 399
Wheel change 393
Tightening torque 399
Wheel wrench 373
Wheels
Tires and wheels 279
Wind screen 202, 444
Installing 202
Removing 203Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting 187
Refilling washer fluid 278
Washer fluid 54, 278
Washer system 278
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 438
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning
system 269
Windshield washer fluid 54
Filler neck 278
Messages in display 371
Mixing ratio 438
Refilling 278
Windshield wipers 23, 53
Fast wiper speed 53
Intermittent wiping 53
Replacing wiper blades 386
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54Winter driving
Snow chains 310
Tires 309
Winter driving instructions 262
Winter tires 309
Wood trims
Cleaning 321
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 373
X
Xenon headlamps 444