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210 Driving and parking
pied vehicle, the vehicle's driving and steering
characteristics change.
You should therefore bear the following in mind:
Do not exceed the permissible roof load and
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towing capacity. Also observe the information
in the Technical Data.
Distribute the roof load and the load inside the
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vehicle evenly, placing heavy objects at the
bottom. Also comply with the notes on loading
the vehicle (
page 142).
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Drive attentively, and avoid abrupt starts, brak-
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ing and steering as well as rapid cornering.
Advice on driving on salt-strewn roads
The braking effect is limited on salt-strewn road
surfaces.
Therefore, observe the following notes:
Due to salt build-up on the brake disks and
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brake pads, the braking distance can increase
considerably or result in one-sided braking.
Maintain a much greater safety distance to the
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vehicle traveling in front.
Remove salt build-up as follows:
Brake occasionally, paying attention to the
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traffic conditions
Carefully depress the brake pedal at the end
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of the journey and when starting the next jour-
ney
Notes on hydroplaning
Hydroplaning can take place if a certain depth of
water has built up on the road surface.
Observe the following notes during heavy precipi-
tation or in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur:
Reduce speed
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Avoid tire ruts
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Avoid sudden steering movements
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Brake carefully
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Also observe the notes on regularly checking
wheels and tires (
page 444).
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Notes on driving through water on the road
Water ingress can damage the engine, electrics
and transmission.
Water can also enter the air intake of the engine
and cause engine damage.
Observe the following if you have to drive through
water:
The water, when calm, may reach no higher
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than the lower edge of the vehicle body.
Drive at a walking pace at most; water can
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otherwise enter the vehicle interior or engine
compartment.
Vehicles traveling in front, or oncoming vehi-
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cles, can create waves which may exceed the
maximum permissible depth of water.
The braking effect of the brakes is reduced after
fording. Brake carefully, paying attention to the
traffic conditions until braking power has been
fully restored.
Function of rear axle steering
The rear axle steering is an electromechanical
auxiliary steering on the rear axle which adjusts
the steering of the rear wheels according to the
position of the front wheels, depending on the
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