Hydroplaning; Tire Traction - Mercedes-Benz 2003 M-Class Operator's Manual

The tread wear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
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As tread depth approaches /
(1.5 mm), the adhesion properties on a wet
road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Specified tire pressures must be main-
tained. This applies particularly if the tires
are subjected to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient temper-
atures).
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
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the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
in
16
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.

Hydroplaning

Depending on the depth of the water on
the road, hydroplaning may occur even at
low speeds and with new tires. Reduce ve-
hicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.

Tire traction

The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
Driving instructions
You should pay particular attention to the
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condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires for the winter season for all
four wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. On packed snow,
they can reduce your stopping distance as
compared with summer tires. Stopping
distance, however, is still considerably
greater than when the road is not covered
with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate cau-
tion.
Operation
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