2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG traction control

309 Operation
Tires and wheels
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature 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 Mo-
tor 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.Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

317 Operation
Winter driving
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. 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.
!When driving with snow chains, always
select setting 1 of the level control sys-
tem (
page 220). Other settings may
result in damage to your vehicle.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 86) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel and with tire
size:

285/35 R18 97W


285/35 R18 97Y


285/35 ZR18 97Y


285/35 R18 97Y MOExtended


285/35 R18 97V M+S .
MOExtended


285/30 ZR19 98Y XL (Extra Load)

332 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in the instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ABS/ESP
® warning
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.

Switch the ESP
® back on (
page 87).
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
v
The yellow ABS/ESP
® warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP
®, ABS, or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
Distronic* is deactivated.

When driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 86).
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

459 Technical terms
Tire ply composition and material used
(
page 312)
Tire speed rating
(page 312)
Traction
(page 312)
Tread
(page 312)
Treadwear indicators
(page 312)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(page 313)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 313)Vehicle level control
The ground clearance of the vehicle is
automatically controlled according to a
selected setting and speed. The driver
can choose manually within a range of
ground clearance, for example on very
rough roads.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(
page 313)
VIN
(Vehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).Wind screen
Screen for deflecting wind from the ve-
hicle interior when the hardtop is low-
ered.
Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.

476 IndexTelephones and two-way radios 266
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 134
Sensor, Interior 31
Tires 292
Tightening torque 410, 458
Time
Settings (control system) 150
TIN 312, 458
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 313
Tire and Loading Information 285
Tire and loading terminology 310
Tire care and maintenance 282
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure 401
Checking 271, 291, 293
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 282
Tire load rating 312, 458
Tire ply composition and material
used 312
Tire Pressure Monitoring System see
TMPS (USA only)
Tire speed rating 263, 303, 312, 459Tire terminology 310
Tire traction 263
TIREFIT
Instructions for use 399
TIREFIT kit 384, 399
Tires 281
Cleaning 283
Direction of rotation 284
Driving instructions 261
Low tire pressure telltale 342
Messages in display 380
Messages in the display 357
MOExtended system* 411
Retreads 281
Rims and tires 434
Rotating 313
Run Flat Indicator 293
Service life 282
Temperature 292, 309
TPMS malfunction telltale 342
Tread depth 283, 316
Wear pattern 313
Winter 315
Tools 383
Tow-away alarm 93
Tow-away alarm switch 30Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 423
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 421
TPMS (USA only) 296
Traction 168, 312, 459
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 312, 459
Tread depth 283
Treadwear indicators 312, 459
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer 25
Resetting 133
Trunk
Closing the lid 109
Lighting 131
Load assist 236
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Messages in display 382
Opening from inside vehicle 108
Parcel net 231
Trunk lid lock 386
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 106
Unlocking in an emergency 386
Unlocking separately 99
Valet locking 110