2003 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 254

Operation Driving instructions Tire speed rating Winter driving instructions Warning! Warning! G G Even when permitted by law, never operate a vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed rating of the tires. Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are rated can lead to sudden tire failure, causing loss of vehicle control and resulting in personal injury and possible death. 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, declutch. Try to keep the vehicle under control by corrective steering action. On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control. 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 driving speeds appropriate to prevailing conditions. i For more information on driving with snow chains, see "Snow chains" ( page 274). Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect 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 endangering other drivers on the road. If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt-treated roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as possible after driving is resumed while observing the safety rules in the previous paragraph. 254