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Driving a 2009 SLK in the snow?

5K views 28 replies 8 participants last post by  JonB 
#1 ·
Wondering what to expect since the snow season is just about here. For those that have a few snow seasons under their belt, what can I expect from my Slk?

Note! - I realize this is subjective and variable depending on experience, tires, type of snow, etc. Just looking for a general idea on depth and any directly helpful hints (such as weight in trunk, whatever).
 
#4 ·
Wise advice. Look at what rally drivers use in snow. Narrower the better BUT not sure how that would affect your insurance cover. Any variation from manufacturers specification in the UK can invalidate your cover unless you notify them and they agree. The only reason my insurers accepted 18 inch rims over the standard 17 inch was because they are offered as an option by MB. There must be thousands of cars on UK roads that are probably uninsured due to undeclared mods.
 
#6 ·
I have a built in distrust of insurance companies. They will use any excuse to reject a claim. I was going lower the suspension on my MX5 until my broker told me the insurers would invalidate my cover !!!!! Its like any none manufacturers mods that you put on. Nicer wheels. any body mods would not be covered in the event of a claim unless they were noted on your policy and you had been screwed extra premiums :(
 
#10 ·
SLK in the snow?

Thanks for all that information about Insurance, wheels, tires, and ways not to drive the SLK in the snow by driving other vehicles.......but.....

Can any member offer their experience about actually driving their SLK in the snow and tell what the capabilities are and some helpful hints about realizing those capabilities?
 
#11 ·
Thanks for all that information about Insurance, wheels, tires, and ways not to drive the SLK in the snow by driving other vehicles.......but.....

Can any member offer their experience about actually driving their SLK in the snow and tell what the capabilities are and some helpful hints about realizing those capabilities?

It's a rear wheel drive car with a staggered tyre setup. It handles like a dog if you have factory or normal high performance tyres on it in snow - any snow, and wet/slushy snow is worse. Last time I was in snow in mine with PZero Rosso's, I parked it on a side street and caught a train home.

Ram and Cookie have had good luck with snow tyres on theirs, so maybe can provide better insight for ya.
 
#13 ·
In my experience in driving in the snow in my MB, I have to use essentially the same knowledge and skills that I would use with any other RW drive auto. Obviously, the snow cannot be very deep or the SLK will bottom out and lose traction. My SLK usually goes where I point it IF I drive smoothly (unlike in the non-inclimate weather) and steadily. Another tip that some overlook is the use the manual shift feature on our cars and start off in as high a gear that will get you going. i.e. third or maybe second. Maybe even fourth. Depends on the snow conditions and lay of the land. This will reduce the drive-wheel spin. Naturally you must up-shift at the appropriate RPM's OR simply shift the tranny back into automatic after you get going. I run conti DWS tires so I do not change to a dedicated snow tire. At least not yet. In central KY generally we do not have snows that prevent traveling on the streets and roads, and most of the time, the city street dept and the state highway dept clean the roads very quickly and efficiently. PS. The best advice is this - if the roads are covered with ice - PARK IT!!!
 
#14 ·
This is helpful info, since I anticipate using the very same tires (rated VERY high for snow traction) and estimating your KY snowfalls by still passable highways, it appears that the SLK should be O.K. up to about 6 inches of snow. More than that it appears other factors come into play (clearance). Although I usually wouldn't choose to start out when it snows, occasions arise where I'm already out and may venture a return trip. I'm going to assume 4 in. is all good, any more up to 6 in. would be testing things, and more than 6 in. is a non-starter in a SLK. Thanks!

PS - I am a very experienced snow driver - but the SLK presents new limitations.
 
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