Mercedes Benz 2009 M-Class User Manual

Page of 585
399
Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your 
vehicle winterized at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This 
service includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze 
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the 
water of the windshield and headlamp 
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate 
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze 
which is formulated for temperatures 
below freezing point (
page 551).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops 
with decreasing ambient temperature. 
A well charged battery helps to make 
sure that the engine can be started 
even at low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a 
minimum tread depth of approximately 
1
/
6
in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the 
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures 
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry 
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated 
tires provide special winter performance. 
Make sure the tires you use show the 
mountain/snowflake
.marking on the 
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific 
snow traction performance requirements 
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association 
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of 
winter tires is the only way to achieve the 
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®
4-ETS, and EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted 
winter tires are of the same make and have 
the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the 
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the 
maximum speed for which your tires are 
rated is below the speed rating of your 
vehicle, you must place a notice to this 
effect where it will be seen by the driver. 
Such notices are available from your tire 
dealer or from any authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 
1
/
6
in 
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.