Hydroplaning, Tires:traction, Hydroplaning tire traction – Mercedes-Benz 2006 C-Class User Manual

Page 288

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287

Operation

Driving instructions

Hydroplaning

Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.

Tire traction

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 winter tires
(

page 336) with a minimum tread depth

of approximately

1

/

6

in (4 mm) on all four

wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.

Warning!

G

Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects

the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You

may lose control of the vehicle. Continued

driving with a flat tire or driving at high

speed with a flat tire will cause excessive

heat build-up and possibly a fire.

Warning!

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.

!

Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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