Tire pressure
hi guys..wat's the tire pressure for the slk55 (stocks 18" wheels)?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
On-street vs. On-track
On the street, I run 34 front and 32 rear. Even with that, the centers of my rear Pirelli Rossos are wearing fast.
I've had some extensive on-track time with my 55, testing with a pyrometer and recommend 40 front and 36 rear for the track. Please see my post on the BenzWorld Forum at
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...220298&posts=2 and the links to related postings there.
I believe that the recommended pressures posted in our manuals and on our door frames are based on MB's legal staff rather than on recommendations from their performance driving staff -- and certainly not from anyone who has to actually pay for replacement tires that have worn prematurely. Considering all the weight on the front or our SLKs and the effort required by the front wheels to get the car to rotate for a turn, it is no wonder that the front tires have to do a lot of work. The higher front pressures will save the outside edges and promote less understeer. The lower rear pressures will minimize the wear on the center of the rear tires.
You may also be interested in reading my post on a Las Vegas Driving School at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...id=27#M1485561
And in case you have not downloaded them here is the URL for my on-track videos from Spring Mountain Motorsport park in Pahump, Nevada:
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/125896-track-car-videos-available.html
I've had some extensive on-track time with my 55, testing with a pyrometer and recommend 40 front and 36 rear for the track. Please see my post on the BenzWorld Forum at
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...220298&posts=2 and the links to related postings there.
I believe that the recommended pressures posted in our manuals and on our door frames are based on MB's legal staff rather than on recommendations from their performance driving staff -- and certainly not from anyone who has to actually pay for replacement tires that have worn prematurely. Considering all the weight on the front or our SLKs and the effort required by the front wheels to get the car to rotate for a turn, it is no wonder that the front tires have to do a lot of work. The higher front pressures will save the outside edges and promote less understeer. The lower rear pressures will minimize the wear on the center of the rear tires.
You may also be interested in reading my post on a Las Vegas Driving School at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...id=27#M1485561
And in case you have not downloaded them here is the URL for my on-track videos from Spring Mountain Motorsport park in Pahump, Nevada:
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/125896-track-car-videos-available.html
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Akron, OH
2006 SLK 55 AMG
Originally Posted by slk55er
On the street, I run 34 front and 32 rear. Even with that, the centers of my rear Pirelli Rossos are wearing fast.
I've had some extensive on-track time with my 55, testing with a pyrometer and recommend 40 front and 36 rear for the track. Please see my post on the BenzWorld Forum at
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...220298&posts=2 and the links to related postings there.
I believe that the recommended pressures posted in our manuals and on our door frames are based on MB's legal staff rather than on recommendations from their performance driving staff -- and certainly not from anyone who has to actually pay for replacement tires that have worn prematurely. Considering all the weight on the front or our SLKs and the effort required by the front wheels to get the car to rotate for a turn, it is no wonder that the front tires have to do a lot of work. The higher front pressures will save the outside edges and promote less understeer. The lower rear pressures will minimize the wear on the center of the rear tires.
You may also be interested in reading my post on a Las Vegas Driving School at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...id=27#M1485561
And in case you have not downloaded them here is the URL for my on-track videos from Spring Mountain Motorsport park in Pahump, Nevada:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=125896
I've had some extensive on-track time with my 55, testing with a pyrometer and recommend 40 front and 36 rear for the track. Please see my post on the BenzWorld Forum at
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...220298&posts=2 and the links to related postings there.
I believe that the recommended pressures posted in our manuals and on our door frames are based on MB's legal staff rather than on recommendations from their performance driving staff -- and certainly not from anyone who has to actually pay for replacement tires that have worn prematurely. Considering all the weight on the front or our SLKs and the effort required by the front wheels to get the car to rotate for a turn, it is no wonder that the front tires have to do a lot of work. The higher front pressures will save the outside edges and promote less understeer. The lower rear pressures will minimize the wear on the center of the rear tires.
You may also be interested in reading my post on a Las Vegas Driving School at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...id=27#M1485561
And in case you have not downloaded them here is the URL for my on-track videos from Spring Mountain Motorsport park in Pahump, Nevada:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=125896
JMC
THX ALOT!!!!
