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Driving tips
198
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 neighbouring 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.
Establish how deep the water is and the char-
R
acteristics of the body of water before ford-
ing.
Select the highest possible vehicle level.
R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
R
ing wheel gearshift paddle.
Avoid high engine speeds.
R
Enter and exit the water at a flat place and at
R
a steady walking pace.
Drive slowly and at a constant speed through
R
the water.
Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you
R
drive.
Do not stop and do not switch off the engine.
R
Water offers a high degree of resistance, the
ground is slippery and, in some cases, unsta-
ble. Therefore, it is difficult and dangerous to
pull away in the water.
Clean any mud from the tyre tread after ford-
R
ing.
Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
R
Always observe the fording depth values
(
page 444).
Y
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.
This increases the risk of skidding and having
an accident.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
!
Take care not to damage the sealing strip
and the moulding on the side of the rear win-
dow when scraping ice off the rear window.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration,
steering and braking manoeuvres. 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 transmission to position N.
X
Try to bring the vehicle under control by using
X
corrective steering.
When driving in snow with or without snow
chains, select driving program Slippery
(
page 166).
Y
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. You should pay
special attention to road conditions when tem-
peratures are around freezing point.
Further information on driving with snow chains
(
page 408).
Y
Further information on driving with summer
tyres (
page 407).
Y
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion (
page 407).
Y
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