M-Class Interactive Owner's Manual
Keywords
Introduction
At a glance
Safety
Controls
Operation
Running-in notes
Refuelling
Engine compartment
Tyres and wheels
Winter driving
Driving tips
Off-road driving
Driving abroad
Trailer towing*
Service
Care
Practical advice
Technical data

Winter driving

Quick access

Points to remember
Winter tyres
Snow chains
Winter driving

Points to remember

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, at the onset of winter.

 

Winter tyres

In temperatures below +7 °C, always use all-weather tyres or winter tyres and always use winter tyres in wintry road conditions.

Only winter tyres displaying the snowflake symbol in addition to the M+S marking provide optimum grip in wintry road conditions. Only these tyres will allow the ABS and ESP driving systems to function optimally in winter, as these tyres have been designed specifically for driving on snow.

Use winter tyres of the same make and tread on all wheels to maintain safe handling characteristics.

Risk of accident

You must replace winter tyres with a tread depth of less than 4 mm immediately. These tyres are unsuitable for use in winter and no longer provide sufficient grip. You could lose control of the vehicle as a result and cause an accident.

Always observe the maximum permitted speed specified for the winter tyres you have fitted. If you fit winter tyres which have a lower maximum permitted speed than that of the vehicle, affix an appropriate warning sign in the driver's field of vision. This can be obtained at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Under these circumstances, you should also restrict the maximum speed of the vehicle using permanent Speedtronic

(Only available for certain countries.)

to the maximum permissible speed for the winter tyres more.

Once you have fitted the winter tyres:

  

Check the tyre pressures more.
  

Restart the tyre pressure monitor* more.
Risk of accident

If you fit the spare wheel* when driving with winter tyres, bear in mind that driving stability will be impaired owing to unstable cornering characteristics caused by the different tyres. You should therefore adapt your driving style and drive carefully.

Have the spare wheel* replaced at the nearest qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
 

Snow chains

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use snow chains which have been specially approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding standard of quality.

Information about the use of snow chain-compatible AMG winter tyres is applicable for AMG tyres. Use of snow chains is only permissible with these tyres.

Vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engineering package*, AIRMATIC package* or ML 63 AMG: do not drive in ADS SPORT mode when driving with snow chains fitted.

If you intend to fit snow chains, please bear the following points in mind:

  • Snow chains cannot be fitted to all wheel/tyre combinations.

  • Snow chains must not be fitted to emergency spare wheels, e.g. the "Minispare" or collapsible emergency spare wheel.

  • Fit snow chains only in pairs and only to the rear wheels. Comply with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

On vehicles with the AIRMATIC package*, you may only drive at raised vehicle level if snow chains have been fitted more.

Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed of 50 km/h.

You may wish to deactivate ESP® when pulling away with snow chains fitted more. This way you can allow the wheels to spin in a controlled manner, achieving an increased driving force (cutting action).
 

Winter driving

Risk of accident

Do not shift down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid.

You should drive particularly carefully on slippery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and braking manoeuvres.

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed:

  

Shift the selector lever to N.
  

Try to bring the vehicle under control using corrective steering.