Hydroplaning; Tire Traction; Tire Speed Rating - Mercedes-Benz 2006 SLR McLaren Operator's Manual

Operation
Driving instructions

Hydroplaning

Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle 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.
You should pay particular attention to the
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.
236
Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
( page 287) with a minimum tread depth
1
of approximately /
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
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Tire speed rating

G
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.
Warning!
in (4 mm) on all four
6
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
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
"(Y)"-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of over 186 mph (300 km/h).
i
For information on tire speed rating for
winter tires, see "Winter tires*"
( page 287).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see "Tire speed rating" ( page 274).
G