2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG winter tires

317 Operation
Tires and wheels
All-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identificationIn addition to tire load rating, special load
information may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating
the tire speed rating1 (
page 317).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
Index
Speed rating
QM+S
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iThe marking “M+S” next to the service
description designates tires with mud
and snow capabilities.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires is specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.

327 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Checking anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Adding 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 429).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4.0 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. Using 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 mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires mounted to 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.
!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 under
1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.

328 OperationWinter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
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.
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.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with the collapsible tire, MOExtended
tires in general, and with the following
tire sizes:

245/40 R17


245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)

414 Technical dataRims and tiresSame size tires
17" tires
SLK 350
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)
SLK 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
71/2J x 17 H2
71/2J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.42 in (36 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
225/45 R17 91H M+S
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S MOExtended
1
1Must be used in conjunction with Run-Flat Indicator* only.
205/50 R17 89H M+S
2
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S
2
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S MOExtended
1,2
2For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

415 Technical data
Rims and tires
18" tires
SLK 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
71/2J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
-
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
225/40 R18 92H XL (Extra Load) M+S
1
1For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

443 Index
Coolant 293
Adding water 286
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 427
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 426
Technical data 422
Temperature 283
Temperature, checking
(Control system) 122
Cornering fog lamps (Lighting) 111
Cruise control 244
Canceling 246
Cruise control lever 244
Description 432
Display message 351
Driving uphill/downhill 246
Fine adjustment 248
Saving current speed 245
Set to last stored speed 248
Setting higher/lower speed 247
Cup holder 252
Cleaning 339
Curb weight 323
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date (Control system)
Day 136
Month 135
Year 136
Daytime running lamp mode 108
Control system 137
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting see Automatic climate control
Defrosting see Climate control
Department of Transportation see DOT
Differential, driving after
replacement 272
Difficulties with starting 49
Direction of rotation (Tires) 300
Display elements (Audio system) 192
Display text see Messages in display
Door
Control panel, overview 31
Entry lamps 114
Doors
Locking from outside 92
Opening from inside 94
Unlocking from outside 92
Unlocking with Tele Aid 263DOT 323
Downshifting
Automatic transmission 154
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 273
Driver’s air bag see Air bags
Driver’s door
Locking in an emergency 375
Unlocking in an emergency 374
Driving 50
And drinking 273
Automatic transmission 50
Brakes 274
Catalytic converter 282
Coolant temperature 283
Driving off 276
Emission control 282
Fuel saving 273
General instructions 44, 273
Hydroplaning 277
In winter 279
Manual transmission 50
On salty roads 274
Parking 276
Pedals 273

456 IndexTire
Vehicle maximum load on 325
Tire and Loading Information 301
Tire and loading terminology 323
Tire care and maintenance 298
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Air pressure 323
Checking 306, 308
Tire inflation pressure see the placard
on the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 298
Tire load rating 325
Tire ply composition and material
used 325
Tire speed rating 315, 325
Tire terminology 323
Tires 297, 413
Cleaning 299
Collapsible (Spare wheel) 432
Direction of rotation 300
Driving instructions 277
Flat tire 388
Important guidelines 297
Inflating with air pump 393MOExtended system 312
Mounting wheel 391
Removing wheel 391
Retreads 297
Rims and tires 413
Rotating 326
Run Flat Indicator 308
Service life 298
Sizes 413
Snow chains 328
Spare wheel 371
Speed rating 278
Storing 299
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 284
Temperature 307, 322
Traction 278
Tread depth 299, 327
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 277
Wear pattern 326
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Winter 327
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 401Towing eye bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Traction 158, 325
Transmission, display message 353
Transporting the vehicle see Anti-theft
systems
Traveling abroad 281
Tread 325
Tread depth 299
Tread depth (Tires) 327
Treadwear indicators 325
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 277
Trip computer menu
(Control system) 144
Trip odometer (Control system) 116
Trunk 95
Lighting 113
Luggage cover 238
Trunk lid emergency release 96
Trunk lid lock 375
Unlocking in an emergency 375
Unlocking with SmartKey 93
Turn signals 52, 381
Additional in mirrors 381
TWI see Treadwear indicators

458 IndexW
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 85
Driver’s seat belt 69
Exterior lighting 58, 107
Maintenance service indicator 330
Panic alarm 78
Parking brake 50, 343
Tow-away alarm 86
Warranty coverage 409
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 326
Weights 421
Wheel bolts 373
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheels see Tires
Wheels, tightening torque 395
Where will I find...? 369
Wind screen 243
Description 437
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Washer fluid reservoir 295
Washer system 429Windshield wipers 53
Intermittent wiping 54
Intermittent/interval wiping 53
Replacing wiper blades 386
Single wipe 54
Wiper blades, cleaning 337
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54
Winter driving 327
Instructions 279
Snow chains 328
Tires 327
Winter tires see Tires
Wiper blades, replacing 386
Wiping and washing see Windshield
wipers
Wood trims, cleaning 340