How steep can your drive before it's too steep ?

[wrightkarl]

Morning all

Maybe an unusual question for the group. I've recently moved house and my drive is on an incline. This got me thinking about my R230 5.5 which sits on the drive, how steep can the car be parked before I risk the engine being starved of oil ? Given the weather is cold here in the UK right now, not knowing is stopping me from warming the car up before using it. I don't normally use this car at this time of year but events are unusual right now...

 

[Wighty]

Morning all

Maybe an unusual question for the group. I've recently moved house and my drive is on an incline. This got me thinking about my R230 5.5 which sits on the drive, how steep can the car be parked before I risk the engine being starved of oil ? Given the weather is cold here in the UK right now, not knowing is stopping me from warming the car up before using it. I don't normally use this car at this time of year but events are unusual right now...

I wouldn’t worry buddy , people in mountain areas have Mercedes that live on steep hills without issue even in their proper winters .

 

[sl500amgsport]

Modern oils coat the metals pretty well and oil pumps are powerful to keep it all covered once engine starts, you should be ok..

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[SL63 Mark]

How steep is the drive ?

 

[wrightkarl]

I wouldn’t worry buddy , people in mountain areas have Mercedes that live on steep hills without issue even in their proper winters .

I did think the same but then it got me thinking, given this engine is used in various models with varying design intents, would the sump profiles be different, can't imagine many SL's in the mountains.

 

[wrightkarl]

How steep is the drive ?

I used a level on my iPhone which tells 10 degrees, doesn't seem much but looks steeper.

 

[sl500amgsport]

I did think the same but then it got me thinking, given this engine is used in various models with varying design intents, would the sump profiles be different, can't imagine many SL's in the mountains.

Well there seems to be at least 58 currently for sale in Switzerland which is a bit hilly!

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[SL63 Mark]

I used a level on my iPhone which tells 10 degrees, doesn't seem much but looks steeper.

A 10 degree slope is approx 17%, so quite steep, about 1 in 6. I can just about cycle up a 20% slope (1 in 5) but that is not much fun.

I hope you leave the handbrake on ?

 

[SL63 Mark]

I did think the same but then it got me thinking, given this engine is used in various models with varying design intents, would the sump profiles be different, can't imagine many SL's in the mountains.

I would happily use my SL in the mountains, I suspect it would go up hill quite well, and might even manage a hairpin bend or two.

Depends on the weather really, summer in the Alps is lovely.

 

[mioba]

If the steepness of the drive is worrying you. You will never drive again.

 

[EmilysDad]

Morning all

..... is stopping me from warming the car up before using it. .....

warming up a car before use isn't a good idea anyway ... just get in & drive it - but gently for the first few miles till it's warm

 

[Mark Q]

I'd be more worried about the foot operated park brake. Guy who lives opposite to us his Sprinter park brake let go one night and it ended up in our hedge. Not a very steep drive, He on the other hand was 100 miles away camping and he blocked off the cul de sac. I drove over his lawn to get around the van as I had somewhere I had to get to, the rest of the neighbours to push it back when they all woke up.

 

[sl500amgsport]

I'd be more worried about the foot operated park brake. Guy who lives opposite to us his Sprinter park brake let go one night and it ended up in our hedge. Not a very steep drive, He on the other hand was 100 miles away camping and he blocked off the cul de sac. I drove over his lawn to get around the van as I had somewhere I had to get to, the rest of the neighbours to push it back when they all woke up.

View attachment 87964
View attachment 87965

SL have electronic parking brakes and auto boxes...

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[LostKiwi]

SL have electronic parking brakes and auto boxes...

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Only later ones have EPB. Ours has the normal foot operated one.

 

[Mark Q]

Yeah without Auto put into park I think there would be a lot of older SL's breaking their moorings

 

[SL63 Mark]

Only later ones have EPB. Ours has the normal foot operated one.

Is that the one that never works



Well mine didn't,
231 seems OK so far.

 

[s5tuart]

 

[LostKiwi]

Morning all

Maybe an unusual question for the group. I've recently moved house and my drive is on an incline. This got me thinking about my R230 5.5 which sits on the drive, how steep can the car be parked before I risk the engine being starved of oil ? Given the weather is cold here in the UK right now, not knowing is stopping me from warming the car up before using it. I don't normally use this car at this time of year but events are unusual right now...

My biggest worry about a steep drive is if the weather gets icy.
If you get the car off the drive stopping if disappearing down the drive when you come back would be a major worry!

Came out our front door during some icy weather and noticed MrsLKs Cooper S was on the road at the bottom of the drive. Asked her why she'd parked it there to be told she didn't. It had slid down the drive on its own on the ice..

 

[00slk]

My biggest worry about a steep drive is if the weather gets icy.
If you get the car off the drive stopping if disappearing down the drive when you come back would be a major worry!

Came out our front door during some icy weather and noticed MrsLKs Cooper S was on the road at the bottom of the drive. Asked her why she'd parked it there to be told she didn't. It had slid down the drive on its own on the ice..

You're lucky you don't live in Baldwin St

 

[SmartAmg]

View attachment 87974

Now that's a drive!