Driving in the Winter in the SLK (or any other car)
A lot of people complain that the SLK is bad in the snow and that the car simply is a poor winter vehicle.
Here is some very important information regarding winter driving (and this applies to all cars and SUVs).
Fiction: The SLK is poor in the snow.
Fact: The SLK with summer high performance tires is poor in the snow.
Fiction: The SLK should not be used for winter driving.
Fact: The SLK with summer high performance tires should not be used for winter driving.
Fiction: AWD or 4WD is superior in the snow vs. front or rear wheel drive.
Fact: AWD or 4WD my assist in getting you going but it will not help in stopping or turning. With the wrong tires (ie summer high performance tires), AWD or 4WD won't help.
Fiction: The SLK traction control (ASR or ESP) is useless in the snow.
Fact: The SLK traction control is useless in the snow when summer high performance tires are on the car.
Fiction: ABS will help me stop in the snow.
Fact: Not with summer high performance tires.
I hope you see my point. Many, many people bitch and complain that their cars are bad in the snow and it is due to the design of the car. People just do not really think about what is really the problem. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE TIRES!!! Summer tires are not made to work in the snow, or even in the cold. The tread pattern and rubber compound is simply not compatible with winter. It is absolutlely essential to run winter tires in winter. I do not care what kind of car or truck either. I laugh when I see all the SUVs that have skidded off the road because the drivers of them think they are magically attached to the road. Because of their weight, they cannot stop or make sudden controllable turns. The AWD or 4WD won't do anything in these situations.
I put winter tires on all the cars I drive during the winter. In fact, my feeling is if you don't run winter tires in winter, you are negligent and unnecessarily endangering other drivers, yourself and your passengers.
Other suggestions:
1. Have a full tank of gas to put more weight on the rear wheels (for rear drive cars like the SLK). Front wheel drive car benefit from less fuel in the tank.
2. Weight in the trunk can help but I have found this not required with the right tires. (For rear drive cars).
3. Make sure all the windows are clear of snow and clean. Visibility is essential. Also clear the entire car of snow. Flying snow off of a car is hazardous. Make sure all exterior lights are clear of snow.
4. Drive slow and allow a lot of distance between cars.
5. Do not make sudden transitions. Go gentle on the accelerator, make gentle steering inputs, and brake gentlely.
6. Have the SLK transmission in "W" mode. This starts the car in second gear and reduces reverse gear to help reduce wheel spin off the line.
These links are worth reading: Tirerack "Control" and Tirerack Winter Tire FAQs
Drive safely.