Mercedes-Benz M-Class Owner's Manual page 169

Driving tips
166
Off-road driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Drive slowly in rough terrain with which you
are unfamiliar. This will allow you to detect
unexpected obstacles more easily and, there-
fore, to reduce the risk of an accident.
Do not make U-turns on mountain roads. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could tip over. If a slope is
too steep for the vehicle, drive back in reverse
gear.
Do not drive at an angle up steep inclines.
Otherwise, the vehicle could tip over. If you
drive up a steep incline at an angle and the
vehicle threatens to overturn, steer into the
line of fall immediately.
Never allow the vehicle to roll backwards. The
braking effect of the engine cannot be utilised
in neutral. If you only use the service brake,
you could lose control of the vehicle.
G WARNING
Grains of sand, particles of dirt and other
abrasive materials can enter the brake sys-
tem. This can lead to excessive wear and
unpredictable braking efficiency.
After the brakes have been exposed to dirty
conditions, have them checked and cleaned
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Otherwise,
there is a risk that braking power may be
insufficient in the event of an emergency, or
that the braking effect may be unpredictable.
G WARNING
Damage to the vehicle creates the risk of an
accident for yourself and other road users. If
in doubt, have your vehicle checked at a quali-
fied specialist workshop which has the nec-
essary specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required. Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose.
General notes
Read this section before driving your vehicle
off-road. Practise by travelling over more gen-
tle off-road terrain first.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
Off-road program (vehicles without the
R
ON&OFFROAD package) (
Off-road program 1 and 2 (vehicles with the
R
ON&OFFROAD package) (
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with
R
the ON&OFFROAD package)
( page 223)
Y
Differential lock (vehicles with the
R
ON&OFFROAD package) (
Off-road ABS ( page 61)
R
Y
Off-road 4ETS ( page 64)
R
Y
®
R Off-road ESP ( page 65)
Y
AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
R
( page 188)
Y
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
R
( page 220)
Y
Observe the following notes:
stop your vehicle and, if necessary, select
R
the off-road program (
LOW RANGE off-road gear (
before driving off-road.
select a vehicle level suitable for the off-
R
road terrain. Make sure there is always suf-
ficient ground clearance to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
check that items of luggage and loads are
R
stowed safely and are well secured
( page 300).
Y
always keep the engine running and in gear
R
when driving on a downhill gradient. Acti-
vate DSR ( page 220).
Y
drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
R
walking pace.
ensure that the wheels are in contact with
R
the ground at all times.
drive with extreme care on unknown off-
R
road routes where visibility is poor. For
page 222)
Y
page 222)
Y
page 223)
Y
page 222) or the
Y
page 223)
Y