When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to the driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
Replace rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. The rear axle does not normally require a lubricant change for the
life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected or repair is required.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 10 mph (16 km/h), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 30 mph
[50 km/h]).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
a lower gear.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
166
Spark plugs, specifications .......263
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................259
Speed control ..............................57
Starting your vehicle .......146–147,
149
jump starting ..........................189
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................54
T
Tether anchors ..........................102
Tilt steering wheel ......................54
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........179
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....124
Tires ...........................108–109, 179
alignment ................................117
care ..........................................113
changing ..........................179, 184
checking the pressure ............113
inflating ...................................110
label .........................................123
replacing ..................................114
rotating ....................................117
safety practices .......................116
sidewall information ...............119
snow tires and chains ............129
spare tire .................................180
terminology .............................109
tire grades ...............................109
treadwear ........................108, 113
Towing .......................................135recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................135
wrecker ....................................194
Traction-lok rear axle ...............155
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................256
Transmission
automatic operation ...............156
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....156
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................255
lubricant specifications ..........259
manual operation ....................159
Turn signal ..................................45
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................265
Vehicle loading ..........................129
camper bodies ........................145
Ventilating your vehicle ...........149
W
Warning chimes ...........................17
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................225
Water, Driving through .............167
Windows
power .........................................55
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................53
checking and adding fluid .....225
checking and cleaning ............225
replacing wiper blades ...........226
Wrecker towing .........................194
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
272
