SLK/R171: Has anyone driven their SLK in Snow??
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Texas, USA
i havent driven in snow, but i did drive in ice.
This was in austria in the alps where the roads are on a cliff.
Very Dangerous.
The car slid a few times, but the antilock brakes kicked in
and helped a lot. Good car but inapprop stock tires for ice.
This was in austria in the alps where the roads are on a cliff.
Very Dangerous.
The car slid a few times, but the antilock brakes kicked in
and helped a lot. Good car but inapprop stock tires for ice.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Virginia USA
SLK55///AMG The MONSTER on the block
SNOW? With other vehicles to drive in bad weather, our SLK doesn't even see rain. All weather car, fair weather SLK driver. Seriously, I try to keep the SLK clean, the less bad weather, the cleaner it stays.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Skokie, Illinois
Do NOT drive on snow with the stock tires. They become rock hard at cold temperatures and are only marginally safe on dry pavement. The owners manual talks about this. I'm with -1-, I don't drive my SLK in winter and I rarely if ever drive it when it's raining.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Same with everyone else here, I garaged my SLK for the winter, it haven't seen sunshine for close to two months now. Several members say they do get around just fine with snow tires. The OEM tires are dangerous in freezing temp. MB test the SLK in the snow so it's drivable. Here's a few pics of a guy in Germany driving in the snow with some tire socks.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Virginia USA
SLK55///AMG The MONSTER on the block
Oh WOW, a Yellow Cab SLK. Hey, I like the look of that yellow or mustard colored SLK. Color probably would look better on a non snowy, bright day. Great pics YNOT.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
2004 SLK200K R171
Driving in snow? Of course, why not? The SLK is perfect on winter roads. With ABS, ASR, ESP and all the other gizmos, what could happen? Yesterday I did 110km/h on icy roads. It was great fun. 
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Skokie, Illinois
bejak, but you don't have to share the roads with crazy American drivers. I believe it takes at least 90 days of winter to retrain the fools in my city on how to drive on snow covered roads. They seem to forget that the stuff is slippery.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: USA
2007 SLK350
My SLK is my everyday car. I drive it rain, ice, sleet, or shine. I do not change to winter tires, just use stock. So far, haven't missed a day! If it is too bad to drive, everything around here is closed. Just put it in "W" or "C" mode, depending on if you have the R170 or R171. They are the same. Disengage the anti slip and go, Go, GO!!!! Just take it easy and you can get anywhere.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
'96 S320 , '98 E280 4matic '06 S350L '09 GL450
I just did a 2 day MB Alpine Driving Course in Les Diablerets, Switzerland. MB has been doing this on a closed mountain road for 20 years.
Tried all kinds of new Mercedes, from B to S, 4matic and not. Even drove the SLK and SL with the top open.
Now, ESP and ABS work very well as long as there's even a little traction, but we tried stopping on a very steep slope and there was no way to get going again.
4matic didn't even light up the warning triangle !
SLK is fine on snow as long as the road is reasonably flat.
Just my 2 cts.
Tried all kinds of new Mercedes, from B to S, 4matic and not. Even drove the SLK and SL with the top open.
Now, ESP and ABS work very well as long as there's even a little traction, but we tried stopping on a very steep slope and there was no way to get going again.
4matic didn't even light up the warning triangle !
SLK is fine on snow as long as the road is reasonably flat.
Just my 2 cts.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
2004 SLK200K R171
Hi Duo-Art. Yes we do have one or two of those drivers here in Sweden as well. It seems that the younger drivers can manage winter driving better then the elder because they often play with their cars when the first snow comes on the roads. Spinning, drifting or what they call it. The result is that they learn a lot about driving during winter season.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
I think it really depends on the tires you have. I have the Run Flats that come with the Run Flat/ Flat Sensor option, and I have to say they are indeed terrible on snow and ice. OK on wet as long as it is warm, but still not very good.
I contacted the dealership and an SLK specialist at MB itself about putting chains on when I wanted to go over the mountain passes once. They simply said "Don't do it!". It apparently really messes with the ESP. Their suggestion was to get a good set of snow tires if I wanted to keep them on through the winter. I opted to take my wife's car and leave the MB in the garage.
I contacted the dealership and an SLK specialist at MB itself about putting chains on when I wanted to go over the mountain passes once. They simply said "Don't do it!". It apparently really messes with the ESP. Their suggestion was to get a good set of snow tires if I wanted to keep them on through the winter. I opted to take my wife's car and leave the MB in the garage.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, CA
'12 C204 C250, '05 SLK350 (sold)
I took the SLK up for a snowboarding trip through a blizzard, and with ESP off, it was definitely a fun drive. Of course you have to take care to slow down early, but with my stock non-AMG (Michelin Primacy) 17" tires, it was manageable. As long as you can control a slight drift through corners and turn in early, you can give yourself enough of a margin of error to avoid trouble.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
As I said in an earlier post, I have been able to get around on the Blizzak Revos. Some minor fishtailing at the start or around turns. I have had my car since December 2004 so the "babying" period is over. I drive it all year round. Can't take it to the grave with you. Anyway, I plan on trading up to an SLK55 once the lease is over.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
It looks pretty cool, and they say it does not affect ESP. I would appreciate knowing if anyone has used it, especially on an SLK.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
yeah, it's a new german invention, it's called autosocks as mentioned above. TUV (German DOT) approved so you know it works. Many compliments, slips on easily, drives up to 30mph, great on ice. More info can be found on their website. I had a co-worker that talks about getting them but don't know if he got it yet.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
1989 300CE, 1992 300SL
Never use standard tires in snow.
As a general rule you NEVER run regular tires in the snow on any car. If you really want to drive with the same tires all year where you have a real winter, opt for four season tires (not "all season", but specifically "four season" tires).
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 6
From: Kirkland, Washington
In the Market
Just as a different point of view, I've never run anything besides summer performance tires (Bridgestone Potenzas on the CLK55, Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the SLK55, and previously Potenzas on an RX8 and Pirelli P7s on a 300ZX) in occasional snow and very frequent rain and have never encountered any problems (or even had the stability control kick in) as long as there was decent tread left on the tire.
Just one user's experience; yours may vary.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
2006 SLK280
Just as a different point of view, I've never run anything besides summer performance tires (Bridgestone Potenzas on the CLK55, Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the SLK55, and previously Potenzas on an RX8 and Pirelli P7s on a 300ZX) in occasional snow and very frequent rain and have never encountered any problems (or even had the stability control kick in) as long as there was decent tread left on the tire.
Just one user's experience; yours may vary.
Just one user's experience; yours may vary.
