Mercedes-Benz G-Class Owner's Manual page 109

Check the depth of water before fording
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rivers and streams.
When fording, do not stop and do not
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switch off the engine.
Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
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tree stumps and furrows.
Always keep the doors, the rear door and
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the windows closed while the vehicle is in
motion.
Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
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Match your speed to the terrain. The
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rougher, steeper or more ruts on the ter-
rain, the slower your speed should be.
Drive slowly and at a constant speed
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through the water. Ensure that a bow wave
does not form as you drive.
On sand, drive quickly to overcome the roll-
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ing resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could
dig itself into the sand.
Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
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interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at appro-
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priate engine speeds.
Always check the vehicle for damage after
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off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tyres is available from any qualified
specialist workshop.
i
Do not use the HOLD function when driv-
ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The
HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on
such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road
! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
during the journey, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as is possible. Check the
engine oil level. The warning given by the
engine oil warning light must not be
ignored. Continuing your journey when the
symbol is shown may result in engine dam-
age.
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Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary.
Only then does the engine receive enough
oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep
incline.
X
Tyre-change tool kit: check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the
wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a fold-
ing spade in the vehicle.
X
Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
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Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tyres.
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Replace any missing valve caps.
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Replace dented or damaged wheels.
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Carry a sound spare wheel.
Checklist after driving off-road
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on nor-
mal roads. After driving off-road, check the
vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.
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Shift the transfer case to
HIGH( Y page 110).
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Disengage the differential locks
( Y page 113).
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Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
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Clean the front and rear licence plates.
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Clean the wheels and tyres with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.
X
Clean the wheels, tyres, wheel arches and
the vehicle underside with a water jet;
check for any foreign objects and damage.
X
Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bel-
lows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.
Driving tips
107
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