The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R
the Offroad drive program (vehicles without
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Y
page 254)
R
Offroad and Offroad Plus drive programs
(vehicles with Off-Road Engineering pack-
age) . (
Y
page 254)
R
LOW RANGE offroad gear (vehicles with the
Off-Road Engineering package)
(
Y
page 255)
R
Differential lock (vehicles with the Off-Road
Engineering package) (
Y
page 255)
R
Off-road ABS (
Y
page 71)
R
Offroad 4ETS (
Y
page 76)
R
Offroad ESP
®
(
Y
page 77)
R
AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(
Y
page 220)
R
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(
Y
page 252)
Observe the following notes:
R
Stop the vehicle before driving off-road. If
necessary, select the offroad program
(
Y
page 254) or shift to the LOW RANGE off-
road gear (
Y
page 255).
R
Select a vehicle level suitable for the off-road
terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance.
R
Make sure that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(
Y
page 355).
R
Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate
DSR (
Y
page 252).
R
Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at walk-
ing pace.
R
Ensure that the wheels are in contact with the
ground at all times.
R
Drive with extreme care on unknown off-road
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route.
R
Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R
Take care when turning on an uphill or down-
hill slope or when driving across a slope. The
vehicle could otherwise tip over.
R
Always keep the doors, the tailgate and the
sliding sunroof closed while the vehicle is in
motion.
R
Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
R
Observe the notes on off-road fording
(
Y
page 198).
i
Information about retrofitting special all-ter-
rain tyres is available from any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
i
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 sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil and top
it up if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the oil level
must be sufficiently high to ensure a correct
oil supply in the vehicle.
X
AdBlue
®
tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check
the level and top up if necessary
(
Y
page 180).
X
Tyre-change tool kit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the wheel
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
X
Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
X
Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tyres.
X
Replace any missing valve caps.
X
Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X
Wheels: dented or bent wheels can lead to a
loss of tyre pressure and damage to the tyre
bead. Before driving off-road, check the
wheels and replace them if necessary.
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.
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
200
Driving tips
Driving
and
parking
