2003 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 184

Operation Driving instructions Tire speed rating Additional information on winter tires can be found under "Winter tires" ( page 213). ML 320, ML 350 Your vehicle is factory equipped with "H"-rated tires, which have a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km/h). ML 500 Your vehicle is factory equipped with "V"-rated tires, which have a speed rating of 150 mph (240 km/h). An electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from exceeding the speed rating. ML 55 AMG Your vehicle is factory equipped with "W"-rated tires, which have a speed rating of 168 mph (270 km/h). Despite of the tire speed rating, local speed limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to prevailing conditions. Warning! G i Information on driving with snow chains ( page 214). 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 possibly resulting in an accident and/or serious injury and possible death, for you and for others. Warning! G 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 control loss. Do not use LOW RANGE mode when driving on ice or packed snow. At speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h) vehicle steering is adversely affected by the LOW RANGE ABS ( page 72). 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. Try to keep the vehicle under control by corrective steering action. Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. 184