snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 253
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 254
Driving instructions ............................ 255
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 255
Drinking and driving ..................... 255
Pedals .......................................... 255
Power assistance ......................... 256
Brakes .......................................... 256
Driving off..................................... 258
Parking ......................................... 259
Tires ............................................. 259
Hydroplaning ................................ 260
Tire traction .................................. 261
Tire speed rating .......................... 261
Winter driving instructions ........... 262
Standing water ............................. 263
Passenger compartment .............. 264
Driving abroad .............................. 264
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 264
Catalytic converter ....................... 265
Emission control........................... 265
Coolant temperature .................... 266At the gas station .............................. 267
Refuelling ..................................... 267
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 269
Engine compartment ......................... 270
Hood ............................................ 270
Engine oil ..................................... 272
Transmission fluid level ................ 275
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 275
Coolant ........................................ 276
Battery ......................................... 277
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 278
Tires and wheels ................................ 279
Important guidelines .................... 279
Tire care and maintenance ........... 280
Direction of rotation ..................... 282
Loading the vehicle ...................... 282
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 288
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 290
Tire labeling.................................. 295
Load identification ....................... 299
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 300Maximum tire load ....................... 301
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 302
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology ........ 305
Rotating tires ............................... 308
Winter driving .................................... 309
Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 312
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator....................................... 313
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 313
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 314
Vehicle care....................................... 315
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 315

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


SBC (S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP, and the SBC is only achieved with
winter tires (M + S tires) or snow chains
as required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, ESP, and SBC cannot reduce
this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.

83 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 324).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP


the ESP does not stabilize the vehicle


the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip


the traction control will still brake a
spinning wheel


the ESP continues to operate when you
are braking


you cannot activate Distronic*
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton in position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 422).
Warning!
G
ESP should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.!Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
iWhen the ESP is switched off and one
or more drive wheels are spinning, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the
speedometer flashes. However, the
ESP will then not stabilize the vehicle.

222 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The switch and the indicator lamps are lo-
cated in the lower section of the center
console.
Briefly press switch3 to change from
one level setting to the next. At level 1,
indicator lamp2 is illuminated and at
level 2 both indicator lamps are illumi-
nated. When the vehicle is at level 2,
pressing the switch will return the vehi-
cle to normal level.
1Indicator lamp 1
2Indicator lamp 2
3Vehicle level control switch
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Height increase over
normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
(page 222)
Normal
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.5 in (12 mm)
Both lamps off
Level 1
Driving with snow chains
(page 310)
Max. 0.6 in (15 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.6 in (15 mm)
One lamp on
Level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 1.0 in (25 mm)
1
Max. approx. 1.0 in (25 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on loading
iPressing the switch twice in quick suc-
cession will cause the vehicle to imme-
diately raise or lower to the new vehicle
level as selected.
The selected vehicle level setting re-
mains stored in memory even if the en-
gine is turned off and restarted.

262 OperationDriving instructionsSL 500
SL 500 with Sport Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km / h).
SL 600
SL 600 with Sport Package*
SL 65 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km / h).SL 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 186 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km / h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
iFor information on tire speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter driving”
(page 309).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 297).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 310).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

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.

311 Operation
Winter driving
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.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with the spare wheel and with tire size

255/35 R19


255/35 ZR19


285 / 30 ZR19


285 / 35 R18


285 / 35 ZR18

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.

425 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
SL 500
SL 500 (Sport Package*)
SL 600
Front axle: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)
1.38 in (35 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95W
255/40 R18 95W
255/40 R18 95Y
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
91/2 J x 18 H2
91/2 J x 18 H2
91/2 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.57 in (40 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
285/35 R18 97W
1
285/35 R18 97W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
285/35 R18 97Y
1

426 Technical dataRims and tires
SL 600 (Sport Package*)
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2 J x 18 H2
81/2 J x 18
81/2 J x 19 EH2
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 ZR18 95Y
255/40 ZR18 95Y
255/35 ZR19 96Y XL or Extra
Load
1
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
91/2 J x 18 H2
91/2 J x 18
91/2 J x 19 EH2
Wheel offset
1.57 in (40 mm)
1.30 in (33 mm)
1.22 in (31 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
285/35 ZR18 97Y
1
285/35 ZR18 97Y
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
285/30 ZR19 98Y XL or Extra
Load
1