Mercedes-Benz 2008 R 350 Automobile User Manual


 
345
Operation
Driving instructions
Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 398) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1
/
6
in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to 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
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the
maximum speed permitted by the
electronic speed limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle in
the “Technical data” section (
page 529),
for example when purchasing new tires.
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 384).
If you are uncertain about the correct
reading of the information given on a tire’s
sidewall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center will be glad to assist
you.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
serious injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
i
For information on speed ratings for winter
tires, see “All-season and winter tires”
(
page 387).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on the tire sidewall, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 396).