approximately
1
/
6
in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure nor-
mal balanced handling characteristics. On
packed snow, they can reduce your stopping
distance compared to summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still con-
siderably greater than when the road is not
covered with snow or ice. Exercise appro-
priate caution.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. Otherwise, the
drivetrain could be damaged, which is
not covered by the smart Limited War-
ranty.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions.
G
WARNING
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
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle
in the “Technical data section”
(
Y
page 216), for example when purchasing
new tires.
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
Y
page 140).
If you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s
sidewall, any authorized electric drive
smart center will be glad to assist you.
i
For information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “All-season and winter
tires” (
Y
page 141).
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.
For information on driving with snow
chains*, see “Snow chains*” (
Y
page 146).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired brak-
ing efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking effi-
ciency should be tested as soon as possible
after driving is resumed.
G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
G
WARNING
The outside temperature display is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that pur-
pose. Indicated temperatures just above
the freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
Y
page 146).
Driving instructions
151
>>
Operation.
* optional
Z
