Hi all,
Firstly let me say that I find the SLK55 forum very informative.

I have owned my SLK55 now for 4 weeks and abs. love it.

Today I went to the AMG day in Melbourne (Aust) which is held for the F1 grand prix. After going through a number of circuits, I was not lucky enough to get to drag race in the 55, rather I was given an E55 to launch.
The 'instructor' advised me that for the best launch, left foot brake, and gently press the throttle, at desired time to launch release the brake and slam down the accelerator (in s mode). I was very surprised at the take off.

My question is, (after reading a write up on the Lambo Merculago) is there any secret launch codes in the SLK55 ECU? Does anyone have a good way to get a good line start. I tried in my car, but just cant get it to hook up right. Traction always seems to engage regardless of how I try.

thanks

 

Traction control will come in on a launch like that ? Why would you expect it not to ? Best way is to turn the traction off as some wheel slip is a good thing, and use your brain to control you foot !

 

That ESP button on the center console does do what you want to do,,, but not 100%. It will kick back in if the computer thinks you are really going wild... but if you want to go wild and have ESP completely off,, follow these steps...

Behind your steering wheel on the left side there are 3 buttons. One is a + sign, another is a - sign, and there is an R button. Okay now put the key into ignition, do not turn it all the way. Turn it all the way so that all the lights come on, but do not turn the engine on. Once you have done that, quickly push the R button 3 times. This must be done quickly and right after turning the key. A new screen should be displayed (not the Command/DVD Nav screen, the one between the MPH and RPMS). If this screen doesn't pop up, then put it into the no malfunction screen or Milage screen. Pull out the key and wait a minute or two. Then try again and quickly push 3 times on the R button. When the screen does come up, use the button on your steering wheel to navigate through the menu. Once you get to dyno test, switch the the high lighted words to the other high lighted words (forgot what was on the screen,, basicly move from A and choose B... then turn on your engine now, and 3 warnings should come up for ESP ASB and something else. This means your tires are 100% not locked up to any computer... it is now pure gas and engine... do that brake and gas pedal thing, u will burnout like no other... it takes practice to get it straight, but you will get there. I haven't done this for over 5 months now,,, then I tried it,,, and I got it straight.....
This is what Car and Driver did to the SLK 55 AMG,,, and they got a 0 to 60mph in 4.3 seconds and a 1/4 mile of 12.7 seconds.

I think this can only be done on the SLK 55 AMG,,,no other mercedes can do it...but I'm not so sure.

 

Car and driver did not due that to get the times they reported. The times they reported were just with ESP off. They did describe the procedure, but they don't use special modes when publishing official times.

 

I guess,,,

I just tried the thing I told you to do in my recent post.... wow.... the car had a different attitude,,, plus I only had 25% tread left on my tire,,, and now I can see this yellow line on my tire so I am now guessing I have about 10% left. Was fun though. Now I gotta study for my math test.

 

I searched C&D's website & I didn't see anything on the procedure about launching. Can you link me to it and/or tell me how to do their procedure? Thx!

 

Don't think it was C&D think it was R&T.

Any case, it's the same procedure you use to get the actual Oil measurement (at least on the AMG55).

Do like ImaHustla said above, or search this or Benzworld SLK forum for old posts.

 

I don't own an SLK55, so I might be wrong on this, but AFAIK it does not have a limited slip differential. The traction control system uses the brakes to effectively "lock the diff" when required (i.e. on a full throttle start). Putting the car in dyno mode probably turns this off, in which case your launches will actually be very poor. But it's great if you just want to smoke the tires.