Mercedes Benz 2003 e 320 User Manual

Page of 399
254
Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Your vehicle is factory equipped with 
"H"-rated tires, which have a speed rating 
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your 
vehicle from exceeding the speed rating.
Regardless of the tire rating, local speed 
limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driv-
ing speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy 
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid 
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering 
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control 
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, 
move selector lever to position N or in 
case you have a manual transmission, de-
clutch. Try to keep the vehicle under con-
trol by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal 
force may become necessary to produce 
the normal braking effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the 
brake pedal periodically when traveling at 
length on salt-strewn roads. 
This can bring road salt impaired braking 
efficiency back to normal. A prerequisite 
is, however, that this be done without en-
dangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven 
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Warning!
G
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 fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and re-
sulting in personal injury and possible death.
i
For more information on driving with 
snow chains, see "Snow chains" 
(
page 274).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift 
in order to obtain braking action. This could 
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.