Do snow and wind have you thinking of beaches and sun? M-class owners around the Beltway are vacationing from worry as they carry on through good weather and bad this winter. These SUVs are packed with features that handle every road condition with style. All M-class models come equipped with 4MATIC 4-Wheel Drive, the always-on system that sends torque to each wheel, optimizing the grip, for confidence and control on wet pavement or ice-slick highways. But what about the other vehicles on the road? To keep you safe, the M-class series features brake assist, projector-beam headlights and lifetime road assistance. Plus, MLs were given a five-star crash test rating and a four-star rollover rating by the National Highway Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. With dual-zone climate control and roomy interiors sized for road-trip packing, M-class handles a trek to the slopes as neatly as a quick trip for bread and milk. So let it snow, Washington—from the seat of an M-class SUV, anytime looks like a great time to go for a drive.
		Just when we thought we had dodged Old Man Winter, dropping temperatures and snow have made their way to our area. But you still have things to do and places to go. With this in mind, American Service Center wants to make sure you drive safely throughout the winter season. And here are a few tips to help you do just that: If There’s Ice and Snow…Take It Nice and Slow Ice and snow mean less traction. And that means you have to drive, steer and brake slower than you normally would. In fact, you need twice the distance to stop on ice as you would need under normal conditions. To be safe, keep at least a three-car distance from the vehicle directly in front of you. Conquering Hills If conditions are icy and you’re approaching a hill, your first reaction might be to take the road most traveled, but that’s actually where you’re more likely to lose traction. Head for unpacked snow where your tires will get a better grip. Make it easier on your car by building a little speed before reaching the hill. Just a bit of forward momentum can help carry you a long way. Beware the Black Ice Driving in wet conditions is always a tad on the dangerous side. Throw in some freezing weather and those wet roadways could be quite treacherous. Those roadways could easily be covered with black ice. And unlike a snow-covered road, black ice is nearly invisible to the naked eye. So please, be extremely cautious when you’re driving on roads near lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses, or in shaded, rural areas where black ice is most likely to form. Slow down well before approaching these areas. And should you find yourself atop this treacherous black ice, remember this one thing: Do not brake. Braking will only throw your car into a skid/spin. In a Spin If you’ve followed all of our tips and still find yourself spinning out, there’s no need for you to flip out. Gently release pressure from the gas and brake pedals and turn into the spin. So, if the back end of your car is skidding to the left, turn the wheel to the left. This should help you to regain control of your spinning vehicle and get you back on the straight and narrow. Deep in the Snow The most important thing to remember when you’re stuck in the snow is that your ticket out relies more on finesse than power. If you accelerate hard, you’ll only cause the tires to dig deeper into the snow. And your goal is to move forward, not dig deeper. To do this, begin by clearing as much snow as you can away from the tires. Next, improve your traction by spreading cat litter, sand or another abrasive material around the tires containing power. Shift the car into low gear, slowly accelerate and you should be back on the road in no time flat. Follow these tips for winter driving and you’ll be prepared to drive your Mercedes-Benz in any foul-weather situation. And always… always buckle up.
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