SL500 Winter Driving

[mhorro]

Hi,

Had my SL500 1997 for a month now and this being my first Mercedes ( have always bought BMWs ) any advice for settings when driving in winter i.e. snow/ice etc. The BMWs are notorious for sliding at the back!

Also with servicing is it better to use an approved Merc garage or a normal gararge?

Many Thanks,

Mark H.

 

[Sp!ke]

Snow... It will be very tail happy unless you are extremely gentle. Suggest leaving it at home or fit good quality winter tyres if there's snow on the ground.

You should entrust your car with someone that knows the marque well. Independant specialist is the way. Suggest looking on the forum for recommended specialist in your area.

 

[IanA2]

They are not good in the snow...I've given up, if you really have to use it then I'd invest in a set of chains.

Where are you? There are plenty of good specialists around, check here:

Mercedes specialists across the UK - MBClub UK Forums

hth

 

[BTB 500]

Well you've got 'W' mode on the gearbox, which allowed me to get off some very wet & slippery grass. IIRC winter driving is covered in the handbook.

As advised, if you're expecting snow/ice where you are then fit winter tyres. I've never tried driving mine in those conditions but have done -6C on dry roads without any problems (on 'normal' tyres).

I still use a main dealer for servicing because (a) my local one seems pretty good and (b) they give a big discount for cars > 6 years old.

 

[Gridlock]

Even if you could drive it in the snow, would you want to? Between the salt and drivers who can't even control Range Rovers?

 

[rf065]

I use winter tyres have no problems driving in snow, which kinda show if you slide all over the place, it's not the cars fault, just the wrong tyres.

Russ

 

[EDZ649]

As others have stated, forget driving in the snow/ice, auto rear wheel drive cars are useless without chains and/or winter tyres. I don't even bother to go out in my mercs in those conditions.