2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 traction control

321 Operation
Tires and wheels
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.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.

329 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
(
page 449).

Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.

Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Any 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.

Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 453).

Do not use snow chains on wheels with
MOExtended tires* (
page 449).
!When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect setting 1 of the vehicle level control system
(
page 230). Other settings may result in
damage to your vehicle.
!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the “Technical data” section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 449).
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 93) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle’s traction.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ABS/ESP® warning
lamp flashes when the engine is
running.The ESP®, ABS, or traction control has come
into operation because of detected traction
loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.When driving off, apply as little
throttle as possible.
While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to
the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 93)
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

471 Index
Door
Control panel 36
Handle, Inside 36
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 39, 66
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 403, 405
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 38, 66
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Opening from inside 113
Storage compartment 238
DOT 323
Drinking and driving 267
Driving
Abroad 276
Driving off 270
Electro-hydraulic brake system 97
Hydroplaning 272
In winter 274, 327
Instructions 56, 267
Problems 60
Safety systems 89
Systems 214
Through standing water 275
With Distronic* 227Driving safety systems 89
ABS 89
BAS 89, 91
Electro-hydraulic brake
system 89, 94
Electronic traction system 93
ESP
®89, 91
Driving systems 214
ABC 230
Cruise control 214
Distronic* 218
Parktronic* 233
Driving tips 175
Accelerator position 175
Kickdown 175
DTR see Distronic*E
Easy-entry/exit feature 47, 166
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Electric air pump 401, 422
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89, 94
Activation 95
Deactivation 96
Driving hints 97
Messages in the multifunction
display 378, 379
Self-check 96, 380
Warning lamp 94
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 250, 252
Emergency engine shut-down 439
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 184

483 Index
Telephone* 30, 247
Answering a call 170
Changing mobile phone cradle 250
Compartment 239
Dialing 170
Ending a call 171
Inserting in cradle 248
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 250
Loading phone book* 171
Messages in the multifunction
display 396
Operating 169
Redialing 171
Removing from cradle 249
Telephones and two-way radios 276
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 142
Sensor, Interior 33
Tires 301
Tightening torque 424
Time
Settings (control system) 161TIN 324
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 325
Tire and Loading Information 295
Tire and loading terminology 322
Tire care and maintenance 292
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 281, 300, 302
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Advanced Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (Advanced
TPMS)*, (Canada only) 308
Checking tire pressure electronically
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), (USA only) 305
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 292
Tire load rating 324
Tire ply composition and material
used 324
Tire speed rating 273, 315, 325
Tire terminology 322
Tire traction 273Tires 291
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 308
Cleaning 293
Direction of rotation 294
Driving instructions 271
Low tire pressure telltale 355
Messages in display 397
Messages in the multifunction
display 375, 397
MOExtended*425
Retreads 291
Rims and tires 449
Rotating 325
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 303
Service life 292
Spare wheel 453
Temperature 301, 321
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 305
TPMS malfunction telltale 355
Tread depth 293, 328
Wear pattern 326
Winter 327