Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual page 120

118 Driving and parking
Make sure that loads and items of luggage are
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securely stored or lashed down (
Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
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engage a low gear.
Vehicles with DSR: activate DSR when you are
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driving downhill ( page 150).
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All-wheel drive vehicles with engine OM642 or
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engine OM651: activate all-wheel drive
( page 126) and, if necessary, activate the
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LOW RANGE transmission ratio (
If the surface requires, temporarily deactivate
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ESP when pulling away (
Only drive off-road with the engine running and
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a gear engaged.
Drive slowly and smoothly. It may often be nec-
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essary to drive at walking pace.
Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
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Ensure that the wheels remain in contact with
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the ground.
As a precaution, get out of the vehicle to take a
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look at the route to be taken. Exercise the
utmost caution when driving across unfamiliar,
unpredictable terrain.
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.
Notes on driving when there is water on the road
Water which has entered the vehicle can damage
the engine, electrics and transmission.
Water can also enter the air intake fitting of the
engine and cause engine damage.
Observe the following if you must drive through
water:
The water, when calm, may only reach the
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lower edge of the front bumper.
Drive at walking pace at most; water can other-
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wise enter the vehicle interior or engine com-
partment.
Vehicles traveling in front, or oncoming vehi-
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cles, can create waves which may exceed the
maximum permissible height of the water.
The braking effect of the brakes is reduced after
fording. Brake carefully while paying attention to
the traffic conditions until braking power has been
fully restored.
After the vehicle has forded at maximum depth
several times, all oils in the major assemblies (front
axle differential, locking differential, manual trans-
page 207). mission/automatic transmission and transfer
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case) must be replaced.
Rules for off-road fording
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page 127).
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page 145).
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Check-list after driving off-road
Driving over rough terrain places greater demands
on your vehicle than normal road operation. 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.
Observe the following points after driving off-road,
on construction sites and before driving on public
roads:
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Observe the safety notes and general notes on
driving off-road.
Check the depth and characteristics of the
body of water before fording. The water, when
calm, may only reach the lower edge of the
front bumper.
The climate control system is switched off
( page 101).
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The stationary heater is switched off
( / page 106).
Activate all-wheel drive and activate the LOW
RANGE transmission ratio (
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Restrict the shift range to 1 or 2.
Avoid high engine speeds.
Drive slowly and smoothly at no more than a
walking pace.
Ensure that no wave forms at the front of the
vehicle while driving.
After fording, dry the brakes.
After the vehicle has forded at maximum depth
several times, all oils in the major assemblies
(front axle differential, locking differential,
manual transmission/automatic transmission
and transfer case) must be replaced.
Vehicles with DSR: deactivate DSR
( page 150).
/
All-wheel drive vehicles with engine OM642 or
engine OM651: deactivate all-wheel drive
( page 126).
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®
Activate ESP ( page 145).
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page 127).