Tires; Hydroplaning - Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Operator's Manual

Tires

Warning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle undercar-
riage for possible damage. If the vehicle or
tires appear unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer
for repairs.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
1
mately / in (1.6 mm), at which point
16
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
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Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor vehi-
cle safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
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 inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject 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
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
1
/ in
16

Hydroplaning

1
/ in (3.0 mm),
8
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.
Operation
Driving instructions
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277