Mercedes-Benz 2003 M-Class Automobile User Manual


 
184
Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Additional information on winter tires can
be found under “Winter tires”
(
page 213).
ML 320, ML 350
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
ML 500
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.
ML 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km/h).
Despite of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to position N. Try to
keep the vehicle under control by correc-
tive steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling at
length on salt-strewn roads.
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.
i
Information on driving with snow
chains (
page 214).
Warning! G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Do not use LOW RANGE mode when driving
on ice or packed snow. At speeds below
18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle steering is ad-
versely affected by the LOW RANGE ABS
(
page 72).