Safe Driving - Mercedes-Benz 380 SL 1984 Owner's Manual

Safe Driving

Power assistance:
When the engine is not running,
both the service brake and the
steering are without power assis­
tance. Under these circumstances,
a much greater effort is necessary
to steer or stop the vehicle.
Tires:
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. With less than
approx. 3 mm/Vs in of tread, the
antiskid properties on a wet road
are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/
or road pavement, the traction
varies widely.
Specified tire pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly
if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy
loads, high ambient temperatures).
Aquaplaning:
Depending on the depth of the
water layer on the road, aquaplan­
ing may occur, even at low speeds.
Avoid track grooves in the road and
apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
Tire friction:
A given speed at which a vehicle
driven on dry roads can still be fully
controlled must be reduced when
the same vehicle is to be driven
safely on a wet or icy road.
You should pay particular attention
to the condition of the road as
soon as the prevailing temperatures
fall close to the freezing point.
If ice has formed on the road tire
traction will be substantially
reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake
particularly carefully.
We recommend M + S radial-ply
tires for the cold season. On
packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared
with summer tires. Stopping
distance, however, is nevertheless
considerably greater than when the
road is wet or dry.
Brakes:
When driving down long and steep
declines, relieve the brakes by
shifting into "B", "3" or "2". This
prevents overheating of the brakes
and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking it is advisable to
drive on for some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
When driving in heavy rain for some
time without applying the brakes,
the first braking action may be
somewhat reduced and increased
pedal pressure may be necessary.
For this reason, stay further away
from vehicle in front.