R
take your foot off the accelerator pedal,
slowly, while the vehicle is in motion.
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary, snow chains
(
/
page 313). Only in this way can the maximum
effect of all-wheel drive be achieved.
Use DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) when driv‐
ing downhill off-road (
/
page 134).
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the all-wheel drive system can neither
reduce the risk of an accident nor override the
laws of physics. The all-wheel drive system can‐
not take road, weather and traffic conditions into
account. The all-wheel drive system is only an
aid. You are responsible for maintaining a safe
distance from the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for staying in
lane.
*
NOTE Risk of damage to the drivetrain
and the brake system
If you operate vehicles with all-wheel drive on
a one-axle test stand, you may damage the
drivetrain or the brake system.
#
A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a two-axle test
stand.
#
If you wish to operate the vehicle on
such a test stand, please consult a
qualified specialist workshop in
advance.
*
NOTE Risk of damage to the transfer
case
If you tow the vehicle with a raised axle, the
transfer case can get damaged. Such damage
is not covered by Mercedes-Benz implied war‐
ranty.
#
Never tow the vehicle with a raised axle.
#
Only tow the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground or fully raised.
#
Note the instructions on towing the
vehicle with full contact with the ground
for all wheels.
Engaging all-wheel drive
Conditions for engaging/disengaging
You can engage and deactivate the all-wheel drive
when stationary or while driving slowly.
When stationary, the following must be observed:
R
the engine is running.
R
the steering wheel in the straight-ahead posi‐
tion.
If the all-wheel drive cannot be engaged when
stationary:
#
vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal.
#
vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the selector lever from
i
to
h
from
h
to
i
from
i
to
k
and back to
i
.
Engaging and disengaging the all-wheel drive
can be made easier in this way.
Observe the following when driving slowly:
R
the engine is running.
R
the vehicle is not travelling faster than
10 km/h.
R
the vehicle is not being driven around a bend.
If it is not possible to engage all-wheel drive when
the vehicle is rolling:
#
vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal.
#
vehicles with automatic transmission:
briefly move the selector lever to
i
.
%
If you engage the all-wheel drive, the variable
limiter deactivates automatically. The corre‐
sponding display message is not shown. You
must activate the variable limiter again after
disengaging the all-wheel drive if necessary
(
/
page 158).
Engaging/disengaging all-wheel drive
*
NOTE Risk of damage to the transfer
case
If you step on the accelerator pedal while the
all-wheel drive is engaged or disengaged, the
transfer case may be damaged.
#
Do not step on the accelerator pedal
when the indicator lamp in the switch
for the all-wheel drive is flashing.
132 Driving and parking
