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got into the system. Clean the brakes after driv‐
ing off-road. If you then notice a reduced braking
effect or hear scraping noises, have the brake
system checked immediately at a qualified spe‐
cialist workshop. Adjust your driving style to the
changed braking characteristics.
Driving off-road or on construction sites increa‐
ses the possibility of vehicle damage which may
in turn lead to the failure of certain major assem‐
blies and systems. Adapt your driving style to the
off-road driving conditions. Drive carefully. Have
any vehicle damage rectified at a qualified spe‐
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
When driving on rough cross-country terrain, do
not shift the transmission to neutral and do not
disengage the clutch. You could lose control
when attempting to brake the vehicle with the
service brake. If your vehicle cannot manage an
uphill incline, drive back down in reverse gear.
When loading your vehicle for off-road driving or
on a construction site, keep the vehicle's center
of gravity as low as possible.
Checklist before off-road driving
Engine: check the oil level and add oil if nec‐
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essary (
page 179). Before driving up or
/
down extreme inclines or slopes, fill the oil to
the maximum level.
%
If you drive up or down extreme inclines or
slopes, the 4 symbol may appear in the
multifunction display. The engine operating
safety is not put at risk if you have filled the
engine oil to the maximum level before the
journey.
Vehicle tool kit: check that the jack is work‐
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ing (
page 201).
/
Make sure that a lug wrench, a wooden
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underlay for the jack, a robust tow rope, a
folding spade and a wheel chock (depending
on equipment) are carried in the vehicle
(
page 201).
/
Tires and wheels: check the tire tread depth
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(
page 204) and the tire pressure
/
(
page 209).
/
Rules for off-road driving
Always be aware of the ground clearance of the
vehicle and avoid obstacles such as deep tire
ruts.
Driving and parking 103
Obstacles can damage the following parts of the
vehicle, for example:
Suspension
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Drivetrain
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Fuel and supply tanks
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Therefore, always drive slowly when off-road. If
you must drive over obstacles, have the co-driver
instruct you.
%
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you addi‐
tionally carry a shovel and a recovery rope
with a shackle in the vehicle.
Make sure that loads and items of luggage
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are securely stored or lashed down
(
page 166).
/
Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
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engage a low gear.
If the surface requires, temporarily deactivate
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®
ESP
when pulling away (
Only drive off-road with the engine running
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and a gear engaged.
Drive slowly and smoothly. It may often be
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necessary to drive at walking pace.
Avoid spinning the driven wheels.
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Always ensure that the wheels remain in con‐
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tact with the ground.
Exercise the utmost caution when driving
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across unfamiliar, unpredictable terrain. As a
precaution, get out of the vehicle to take a
look at the route to be taken first.
Look out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes, tree
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stumps and tire ruts).
Avoid edges where the surface could crumble
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or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than normal road opera‐
tion. Check your vehicle after driving on rough
terrain. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident for
yourself and other road users. Clean your vehicle
thoroughly before driving on public roads.
If you find damage to the vehicle after off-road
driving, have the vehicle checked at a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
page 111).
/
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