Off-Road Fording - Mercedes-Benz G-Class Operator's Manual

Driving tips
126
erwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or
the engine compartment. This can damage
the electronic components in the engine or
the automatic transmission. Water can also
be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles
and this can cause engine damage.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind that:
in the case of standing water, the water level
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must be no higher than the lower edge of the
vehicle body
you should drive no faster than walking pace
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Off-road fording

!
Under no circumstances should you accel-
erate before entering the water. The bow
wave could cause water to enter and damage
the engine and other assemblies.
!
Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while
fording. Otherwise, water could get into the
vehicle interior and damage the vehicle's
electronics and interior equipment.
i
You may only drive through fresh water.
Observe the safety notes (
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general notes (
road.
Establish how deep the water is and the char-
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acteristics of the body of water before ford-
ing.
Switch off automatic climate control
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Shift the transfer case to the off-road driving
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position LOW RANGE (
Engage the differential locks if necessary
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( page 148).
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Avoid high engine speeds.
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Enter and exit the water at a flat place and at
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a steady walking pace.
Drive slowly and at an even speed through the
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water.
Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you
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drive.
Do not stop and do not switch off the engine.
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Water offers a high degree of resistance, and
the ground is slippery and in some cases
unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and danger-
ous to pull away in water.
Clean any mud from the tire tread after ford-
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ing.
Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
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page 127) and
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page 127) on driving off-
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page 145).
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Always observe the fording depth values
( page 283).
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Winter driving
G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G
WARNING
If you select the LOW RANGE off-road gear on
a slippery road surface, the wheels could lose
traction:
if you remove your foot from the accelera-
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tor pedal when driving
if off road ABS intervenes when braking
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If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no
longer be steered. There is an increased dan-
ger of skidding and accidents.
Never select the LOW RANGE off-road gear
when driving on slippery road surfaces.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-
faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
Shift the automatic transmission to position
X
N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always