Driving On Sand - Mercedes-Benz 2015 M-Class Operator's Manual

Check the engine oil level. The engine oil
warning lamp warning must not be ignored.
Continuing the journey while the symbol is
displayed could lead to engine damage.
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
X
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the
engine oil level must be sufficiently high to
ensure a correct oil supply in the vehicle.
DEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
X
level and top up if necessary (
Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack
X
is working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
X
depth and tire pressure.
Check for damage and remove any foreign
X
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
Replace any missing valve caps.
X
Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X
Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a
X
loss of tire pressure and damage the tire
bead. Therefore, check your rims before
driving off-road and replace them as
required.
Checklist after driving off-road
! If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
X
age: activate the on-road program
( page 251).
Y
Deactivate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
X
( page 253).
Y
Deactivate DSR (
X
Y
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
X
lower the vehicle to a ride height suitable
for the road conditions, e.g. to the high-
way/high-speed level.
page 180).
Y
page 250).
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
X
check for damage.
Clean the front and rear license plates.
X
Clean the wheels/tires with a water jet and
X
remove any foreign objects.
Clean the wheels, wheel housings and the
X
vehicle underside with a water jet; check
for any foreign objects and damage.
Check whether twigs or other parts of
X
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.
After the trip, examine without fail the
X
entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.
After driving for extended periods across
X
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
X
travel, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and remove them if
necessary. Foreign objects can disturb the
balance and cause vibrations.
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.

Driving on sand

Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
R
age: select off-road program 1
( page 251).
Y
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
R
select a raised vehicle level.
Avoid high engine speeds.
R
Driving tips
193
Z