Before Driving Off-Road - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual

When loading your vehicle for driving off-road or
on a construction site, keep the vehicle's centre
of gravity as low as possible.
Checklist before driving off-road
X
Check the fuel and AdBlue
Y
( page 181) and top up (
X
Engine: check the oil level (
Y
top up the oil ( page 245).
Before driving up or down steep gradients, fill
the oil to the maximum level.
If you drive up or down steep gradients, the
i
4 symbol may appear in the display. The
engine operating safety is not put at risk if you
have filled the engine oil to the maximum level
before the journey.
X
Vehicle tool kit: check that the jack is work-
Y
ing ( page 263).
X
Make sure that a wheel bolt wrench
Y
( page 263), wooden underlay for the jack,
a robust tow cable and a folding spade are
carried in the vehicle.
X
Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
Y
depth ( page 273) and tyre pressure
Y
( page 275).
Rules for driving off-road
! Always bear the vehicle's ground clearance
in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts of
the vehicle:
the chassis
R
the drive train
R
the fuel and supply tanks
R
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the co-driver direct
you.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends that you addi-
tionally carry a shovel and a recovery rope
with a shackle in the vehicle.
Ensure that loads and items of luggage are
R
securely stowed or lashed down
Y
( page 235).
Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
R
shift to a low gear.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive: activate all-
R
Y
wheel drive ( page 168) and, if necessary,
®
levels
Y
page 142).
Y
page 243) and
activate the LOW RANGE transmission ratio
Y
( page 168).
If the surface requires, temporarily deactivate
R
ASR when pulling away (
Only drive off-road with the engine running
R
and a gear engaged.
Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
R
necessary in many situations.
Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
R
Make sure that the wheels always remain in
R
contact with the ground.
Drive with extreme care over unknown terrain
R
where you can only see for a short distance.
As a precaution, get out of the vehicle to take
a look at the route to be taken in advance.
Check the water depth before fording.
R
Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
R
tree stumps and ruts).
Avoid edges where the surface could crumble
R
or break away.
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.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on your
vehicle than normal road operation. Check your
vehicle after driving on rough terrain. By doing
so you will notice any damage in good time and
reduce the risk of an accident for yourself and
other road users. Clean your vehicle thoroughly
before driving on public roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving on
public roads:
X
Vehicles with all-wheel drive: deactivate
Y
all-wheel drive ( page 168).
X
Y
Activate ASR ( page 56).
X
Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
X
Clean the front and rear licence plates.
X
Clean the windscreen, windows and exterior
mirrors.
X
Clean the steps, door sills and grab handles.
This increases safety of footing.
X
Clean the wheels and tyres, wheel arches and
the underbody of the vehicle with a water jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
Driving tips
Y
page 56).
Z
153