Mercedes-Benz 2003 G 500 Automobile User Manual


 
201
Operation
Driving instructions
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1
8
in (4 mm) for the win-
ter season for all four wheels to insure nor-
mal balanced handling characteristics. On
packed snow, they can reduce your stop-
ping distance as compared with summer
tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consid-
erably greater than when the road is not
covered with snow or ice. Exercise appro-
priate caution.
Tire speed rating
G500, G55AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 150 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the speed rating.
Despite of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Warning! G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the drive
train which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
i
Additional information on winter tires
can be found under “Winter tires”
(
page 228).
Warning! G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.