2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV differential

Off-road driving
235Off-road driving
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
Drive slowly in rough terrain with which you
are unfamiliar. This will allow you to detect
unexpected obstacles more easily and to
therefore reduce the risk of an accident.
Do not make U-turns on mountain roads.
The vehicle could otherwise tip over. If a
slope is too steep for the vehicle, drive back
in reverse gear.
Do not drive at an angle up steep inclines.
The vehicle could otherwise tip over. If you
drive up a steep incline at an angle and the
vehicle threatens to overturn, steer into the
line of fall immediately.
Never allow the vehicle to roll backwards.
The braking effect of the engine cannot be
utilised in neutral. If you only use the
service brake, you could lose control of the
vehicle. G
Risk of accident
Grains of sand, particles of dirt and other
abrasive materials can enter the brake sys-
tem. This can lead to excessive wear and
unpredictable braking efficiency. After the brakes have been exposed to dirty
conditions, have them checked and
cleaned at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
There is otherwise a risk that braking power
may be insufficient in the event of an emer-
gency, or that braking efficiency may be
unpredictable.
Read this section before driving your vehicle
off-road. Practise by travelling over more gen-
tle off-road terrain first.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R off-road drive program (Y page 140)
R LOW RANGE* off-road gear (Y page 141)
R off-road ABS (Y page 57)
R off-road 4-ETS (Y page 61)
R off-road ESP ®
(Y page 60)
R differential locks (Y page 143)
R AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
(Y page 156)
R DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Y page 139) Off-road driving
G
Risk of accident
Damage to the vehicle creates the risk of
an accident for yourself and other road
users. If in doubt, have your vehicle
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends
that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre for this purpose. H
Environmental note
Protection of the environment is of primary
importance. Treat nature with respect.
Observe all prohibiting signs.
General information R
Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, select
the off-road drive program* (Y page 140)
or the LOW RANGE* off-road gear
(Y page 141) before driving off-road.
R Select a vehicle level* suitable for the off-
road terrain. Make sure there is always
sufficient ground clearance to prevent
damage to the vehicle. Operation
* optional
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Off-road driving
236
R
Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 193).
R Always keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient. Acti-
vate DSR.
R Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a
walking 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 reasons, get out of the vehicle first
and survey the off-road route.
R Check the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
R Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
R Always keep the side windows and the slid-
ing /tilting sunroof* closed during the jour-
ney.
R Do not stray from marked routes or paths.
i Information about retrofitting special all-
terrain tyres is available from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Checklist before driving off-road X
Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary.
X Vehicle toolkit: check that the jack is
working and make sure you have the wheel-
brace, 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 foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tyres.
X Replace any missing valve caps.
X Replace dented or damaged wheels.
Checklist after driving off-road Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on nor-
mal 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.
X
Deactivate the LOW RANGE* off-road gear
(Y page 141).
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 139).
X Set the differential lock setting to AUTO on
the selector wheel (Y page 143). X
Lower the vehicle level* again to a level
suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.*
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear licence plates.
X Clean the wheels/tyres with a water jet and
remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, wheel arches and the
vehicle underside with a water jet; check
for foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bel-
lows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.
X After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tyres, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads /linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and remove them if Operation
* optional
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Display
messages 272 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
> Rising
20 km/h max. The vehicle is being adjusted to off-road
level 3. The display message indicates the
maximum speed allowed for off-road level
3. X
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 20 km/h. > 20 km/h max. You are driving in off-road level 3. The dis-
play message indicates the maximum
speed allowed for off-road level 3. X
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 20 km/h. p being lowered
20 km/h max. The vehicle is being lowered from off-road
level 3 to off-road level 2. The display mes-
sage indicates the maximum speed
allowed for off-road level 3. X
Do not drive faster than 20 km/h until the
vehicle has reached off-road level 2. p Bring speed below
20 km/h
G
Risk of accident
You are exceeding the speed permissible
for the selected off-road level. X
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
X Adjust your driving style to the altered handling
characteristics.
X Avoid large steering angles and sudden steer-
ing movements.
X Be aware of the altered handling characteris-
tics. < Locking system
inoperative Con-
sult workshop There is a malfunction of the differential
locks.* X
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 273Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
< Diff. lock system
overheated.
Wait briefly. The differential locks* are too hot and
have therefore been disengaged. X
Drive on carefully.
X Allow the differential locks to cool down.
The differential locks are re-engaged as soon
as they have cooled down. { inoperative DSR is deactivated due to a malfunction. X
Have DSR checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. < Stop vehicle
Apply parking
brake The gear change process has not been
completed. LOW RANGE* is in the neutral
position. There is no connection between
the engine and the drive wheels. X
Stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the traffic
conditions as you do so.
X Depress the parking brake firmly.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Carry out the gear change procedure again. m Consult workshop
If parked, apply
pk. brake The LOW RANGE* system is malfunction-
ing. X
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Firmly depress the parking brake to park.
X Have the vehicle checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. m max. speed 70 km/h You have exceeded the maximum speed
for the gear change process. X
Drive more slowly.
The gear change process is carried out. m max. speed 40 km/h You have exceeded the maximum speed
for the gear change process. X
Drive more slowly.
The gear change process is carried out. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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