Checklist After Driving Off-Road; Checklist Before Driving Off-Road - Mercedes-Benz M-Class Operator's Manual

Do not jump with the vehicle as this will
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interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
Always keep the engine running and in gear
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when driving on a slope.
Do not shift the automatic transmission to
R
transmission position N.
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Do not use the HOLD function when
driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill
gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.
The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle
on such surfaces.

Checklist before driving off-road

! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up
while the vehicle is in motion, stop the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
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
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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
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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
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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.
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Replace dented or damaged wheels.
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Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a
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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
workshop.
Deactivate DSR (
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Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
X
lower the vehicle to a ride height suitable
for the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
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check for damage.
Clean the front and rear license plates.
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Clean the wheels/tires with a water jet and
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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
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plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber
bellows 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
page 177).
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exhaust system for damage.
After driving for extended periods across
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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
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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
normal 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 tips
page 246).
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