The great thing about Mercedes' rear wheel drive vehicles is they are superbly balanced in many ways. The answer to your question goes to one of those balances: traction. Specifically, limited forward traction is proportional to the stopping and turning traction. In essence, if you don't have enough traction to move forward, then you wouldn't generally (if you did get going) have enough traction to stop or turn either.

Weight over the rear wheels helps a lot... full fuel tank and about 100 pounds of sand or litter increases traction but does not upset the balance.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Studded tires are illegal in some states. Massachusetts I know is one of them.

I also heard that these cars generally handle and stop well, it's just getting going that can be tough.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

I found them to pretty much suck, the open rear ends make them usless on any kind of grade. One rear tire just spins and your stuck.

My solution now when their is a lot of snow on the roads and I need something is to take my friends Polaris 800. It does far better in the snow than any vehical I have ever driven.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I thought the same thing.. Chains are illegal mostly. I thought studs were as well. turns out studs are allowed from november to march in ohio.

Or so I was told.. I have been pulled over once with my studded tires and the cop didnt say anything. Although, he might not of noticed.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

5589.081 Studded tires - prohibited acts.
(A) For purposes of this section, “studded tire” means any tire designed for use on a vehicle and equipped with metal studs or studs of wear-resisting material that project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire; and “motor vehicle,” “street or highway,” “public safety vehicle,” and “school bus” have the same meanings as given those terms in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) (1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, no person shall operate any motor vehicle, other than a public safety vehicle or school bus, that is equipped with studded tires on any street or highway in this state, except during the period extending from the first day of November of each year through the fifteenth day of April of the succeeding year.

(2) A person may operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with retractable studded tires with the studs retracted at any time of the year, but shall operate the motor vehicle with the studs extended only as provided in division (B)(1) of this section.

(C) This section does not apply to the use of tire chains when there is snow or ice on the streets or highways where such chains are being used, or the immediate vicinity thereof.

Effective Date: 03-12-1975; 2008 SB44 08-22-2008

You should look it up in your state to see if its true.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

How would an officer know? I've never actually seen studed tires before.

Edit: It's a non issue in PA

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/district6.nsf/winter_maint_notes?ReadForm



What about driving in states that completely ban them? Would I get a ticket?

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.