Mercedes Benz 2003 sl 500 User Manual

220

Operation

Driving instructions

The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or 
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.

You should pay particular attention to the 
condition of the road whenever the outside 
temperatures are close to the freezing 
point.

Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated 
radial-ply tires for the winter season for all 
four wheels to insure normal balanced 
handling characteristics. On packed snow, 
they can reduce your stopping distance as 
compared with summer tires. Stopping 
distance, however, is still considerably 

greater than when the road is not covered 
with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate cau-
tion.

Your vehicle is factory equipped with 
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating 
of 168 mph (270 km/h).

Your vehicle is factory equipped with 
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating 
of 168 mph (270 km/h) or “Y”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 188 mph 
(300 km/h)

An electronic speed limiter prevents your 
vehicle from exceeding a speed of 
155 mph (250 km/h).

Despite the tire rating, local speed limits 
should be obeyed. Use prudent driving 
speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.

G

If ice has formed on the road, tire traction 
will be substantially reduced. Under such 
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake 
with extreme caution.

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 pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or 
personal injury and possible death, for you 
and for others.

i

Information on driving with snow 
chains (

i

Information on tire speed rating for 
winter tires (

page 239).