Mercedes-Benz 240 D 1979 Owner's Manual page 46

particularly if the tires are subjected
to high loads (e. g. high speeds,
heavy loads, high am bient te m ­
peratures).
Aquaplaning:
Depending on the depth o f the
w ater layer on the road, aqua­
planing may occur even w ith tires
still showing the fuil tread depth,
and even at low speeds. Avoid
track grooves in the road and apply
brakes cautiously in the rain.
Tire friction:
Dry road = 100 %
W e t road = from approx. 50% to
approx. 80% (be particularly cau­
tious on w et and d irty roads)
Icy road = approx. 15%
A given speed at w hich a vehicle
driven on dry roads can stiil be
fu lly controlled m ust be reduced
when the same vehicle is to be
driven safety on a w et or icy road.
You should pay particular attention
to the condition o f the road as
soon as the prevailing tem pera­
tures fall close to the freezing
point. If ice has form ed on the
road (e.g. due to fog), a thin film
o f w ater is then quickly produced
on the ice w hich substantially
reduces the grip o f the tires. Under
such w eather conditions, drive,
steer and brake particularly care­
fully.
W e recomm end M + S radial-ply
tires fo r the cold season. On ice or
packed snow , they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared
w ith sum m er tires. S topping dis­
tance, however, is nevertheless
considerably greater than w hen the
road is w et or dry.
W hen driving dow n long and steep
declines, relieve the brakes by en­
gaging a low er speed (selector
lever position " S " or " L " in the
case o f autom atic transmissions).
This prevents overheating o f the
brakes and reduces brake pad
wear.
A fte r hard braking it is advisable
not to sw itch o ff the engine right
away but to drive on fo r some
Safe Driving
tim e so the air stream w ill cool
dow n the brakes faster.
W hen driving in heavy rain fo r
some tim e w ith o u t applying the
brakes, the first braking action may
be som ew hat retarded and in­
creased pedal pressure may be
necessary. For this reason, stay
fu rth e r away from vehicle in front.
The condition of the parking brake
w ill be checked during every m ain­
tenance service. Furthermore it is
recom m ended to exert once or
tw ice between the regular main­
tenance services, a m axim um pres­
sure o f 22 lbs. (10 kp) on the park­
ing brake pedal fo r 10 seconds
w hile travelling at a speed around
30 mph (50 km /h) on dry road.
Pull release knob during this pro­
cess! Repeat procedure once or
tw ice. Exercise care, the stoplights
do not w ork.
Flave all inspections o f and w ork
on the brake system carried o ut by
a MERCEDES-BENZ service
station.