Intelligent Technology167
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Caution
Never allow the brakes to rub by applying sl ight pressure if you do not wish to brake
the vehicle. This causes the br akes to overheat and can also result in a longer braking
distance and excessive wear.
Before negotiating a steep downhill section, please reduce your speed, shift down
into the next lower gear (manual gearbox) or select a lower driving stage (automatic
gearbox). This enables you to make full us e of the braking power of the vehicle and
reduces the strain on the brakes. Any additional braking should be done intermittently,
not continuously.Note
The brake light flashes automatically in case of an emergency braking at speeds greater
than 60 km/h or with the intervention of the ABS, which lasts longer than 1.5 seconds.
After the speed was reduced below 10 km/h or the vehicle was stopped, the brake light
stops flashing and the hazard warning light system switches on. The hazard warning
light system is switched off automatically after accelerating or driving off again.Brake boosterThe brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal. The
necessary pressure is only genera ted when the engine is running.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater phys-
ical effort for braking is required when en gine is switched off. Because if you do
not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.General
The ABS contributes significantly to enhanc ing the active safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a vehicle not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain
optimal steering ability even during a full br ake application on a slippery road surface
because the wheels do not lock up.
In general you must not expect that the braking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. The braking distance for example on gravel and
fresh snow, when you should anyway be driv ing slowly and cautiously, will be longer.
Operating principle
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is too
low for the speed of the vehicle and tending to lock. This control cycle is noticeable
from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by noises.
This is consciously intended to provide the driver with the information that the wheels
are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake pedal
depressed to enable the ABS to optimally control the brake application in this braking
range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
ABS Off-road*
After switching on the Off-road mode page 170, ABS Off-road is activated.
ABS Off-road increases the braking power of the vehicle on an unfirm ground, as it
keeps the wheels blocked for a longer period of time when the brake is applied while
sliding. The system is only available, if the front wheels are in the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
The system operates at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
WARNING
The ABS can also not overcome the physical limits of your vehicle. Please do
not forget this, particularly when driving on icy or wet road surfaces. If the ABS
is operating within the control range, adapt your speed immediately to the
conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety
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168
offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than otherwise -
risk of an accident!
The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as poss ible and adjust your style of driving to
take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know the extent
of the fault and in how far the braking efficiency is affected.Note
A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system
page 34.
Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on th e brakes, on chassis or another combina-
tion of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the ABS page 222, “Accesso-
ries, changes and replacement of parts”.
Brake Assist*During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases the
braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure required in
the brake system.
The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations, but
do not depress the brake pedal with sufficient pressure. Consequently, it is not possible
for the vehicle to achieve its maximum deceleration and the vehicle covers a greater
distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure exists than during a normal brake application.
This makes it possible, even with a relative ly low resistance of the brake pedal, to
produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time, which
is required for maximum deceleration of th e vehicle. You must apply the brake pedal
firmly and hold it in this position in order to achieve the shortest possible braking
distance.
The Brake Assist is able to help you achieve a shorter braking distance in emergency
situations by rapidly producing the pressure required in the brake system. It fully
exploits the attributes of the ABS. After you release the brake pedal, the function of the
Brake Assist is automatically switched off and the brakes operate in the normal way. The Brake Assist is part of the ESP system. If a fault occurs in the ESP, the Brake Assist
function is also not available.
Further information on the ESP page 163.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is also not able to overcome the physical limits of your
vehicle in terms of the braking distance required.
Adapt your speed to the conditions of th e road surface and to the traffic situ-
ation.
The increased safety offered by the Brake Assist must not tempt you to take
a greater safety risk than otherwise.
Uphill Start Assist*The uphill start assist makes it easier to start off on steep hills. The system assists a start
off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actuation for approx. 2
seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore move his foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the slope, without having to
actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the
accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back.
The uphill start assist is active as of a 3% slope, if the driver door is closed. It is always
active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving downhill, it is
inactive.Electromechanical power steeringThe power steering enables you to steer the vehicle with less physical force.
With the electromechanical power steering, the steering assist is automatically
adapted to the speed and to the steering angle.
It is still possible to fully steer the vehicle if the power steering fails or if the engine is
not running (vehicle being towed in). The only difference is that greater physical effort
is required.
If there is a fault in the power steering, the warning light
or lights up in the instru-
ment cluster page 31.
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent Technology169
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
WARNING
Contact your specialist garage if the power steering is defective.Tyre pressure monitoring system*The tyre pressure monitoring system compares with the aid of the ABS sensors the
speed and also the rolling circumference of the individual wheels. If the rolling circum-
ference of a wheel is changed, the warning light
lights up in the instrument cluster
page 34 and an audible sign al sounds. The rolling circumference of the tyre can
change if:
the tyre inflation pressure is too low,
the structure of the tyre is damaged,
the vehicle is loaded on one side,
the wheels of an axle are loaded heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or when driving
uphill or downhill),
snow chains are mounted,
the temporary spare wheel is mounted,
one wheel per axle was changed.
Basic setting of the system
After changing the tyre inflation pressures, after changing one or several wheels, the
position of a wheel on the vehicle (e.g. exch anging the wheels between the axles) or when the warning light lights up while drivin
g, a basic setting of the system must be
carried out as follows.
Inflate all tyres to the specified inflation pressure page 216.
Switch on the ignition.
Press button fig. 148 for more than 2 seconds. While pressing the button,
the warning light
lights up. At the same time the memory of the system is erased
and the new calibration is started, which is confirmed with an audible signal and then
the warning light goes out.
If the warning light
does not go out after the basic setting, there is a fault in the
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your nearest specialist garage.
Warning light
lights up
If the tyre inflation pressure of at least one wheel is insufficiently inflated in comparison
to the stored basic va lue, the warning light
lights up.
Warning light
flashes
If the warning light flashes, there is a system fault. Have the vehicle inspected by your
nearest specialist garage.
WARNING
When the warning light
lights up, immediately reduce the speed and
avoid sudden steering and brake manoeuvr es. Please stop the vehicle without
delay at the nearest possible stop and in spect the tyres and their inflation pres-
sures.
The driver is responsible for the correc t tyre inflation pressures. For this
reason, the tyre inflation pressures must be checked regularly.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light
can be delayed or does not light up at all.
The tyre pressure monitoring system do es not take away the responsibility
from the driver for the correct tyre inflation pressure.Note
The tyre pressure monitoring system:
Fig. 148 Button for setting the tyre infla-
tion pressure control value
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170
does not replace the regular tyre inflatio n pressure control, because the system
cannot detect an even pressure loss;
cannot warn in case of very rapid tyre inflation pressure loss, e.g. in case of sudden
tyre damage. In this case carefully bring the vehicle to a standstill without sudden
steering movements and without sharp braking.
In order to ensure a proper functioning of the tyre inflation pressure-control
system, it is necessary to carry out the basic setting again every 10 000 km or 1x a
year.
Diesel particle filter* (diesel engine)In the diesel particle filter the resu lting soot particles are collected and
burnt during the combustion of diesel fuel.Code 7GG, 7MB or 7MG on the vehicle data sticker, see fig. 149 , indicates that your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle filter. The ve hicle data sticker is located on
the floor of the luggage compartment and is also stated in the Service schedule.
The diesel particle filter filters the soot particles completely from the exhaust. The soot
is collected in the diesel particle filter and burnt regularly. To assist this procedure, we
recommend not to drive regu larly over short distances.
If the diesel particle filter is clogged or there is a fault, it is indicated by the warning light
.
WARNING
The diesel particle filter achieves very high temp eratures. Therefore do not
park at points where the hot filter comes into direct contact with dry grass or
other combustible materials - risk of fire!
Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents
for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat shields.
When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these substances might
ignite - risk of fire.Note
When using diesel fuel with high sulphur content the life of the diesel particle filter
is clearly reduced. A specialist garage will be able to tell you which countries use only
diesel fuel with high sulphur content.
Off-road*GeneralThe Off-road mode comprises functions which assist off-road driving.
The following functions are integrated in the Off-road mode:
Start-Off Assist page 171,
Downhill Drive Support page 171,
EDL Off-road page 164,
Fig. 149 Vehicle data sticker
Fig. 150 Off-road switch
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Driving and the Environment
180
In case the vehicle is stationary on a hillside at a steep angl e, do not exit the
vehicle when it is facing downhill. Throug h this the overall centre of gravity can
shift in such a way that the vehicle tilts and rolls down the hillside - hazard!
Always carefully exit your vehicle on the side facing uphill page 186.
A lack of experience and knowledge when driving off-road can lead to crit-
ical situations an d serious injuries.
Never choose a dangerous route and never take a risk which could jeop-
ardize your safety and that of your passengers. If you cannot go on or if you
doubt the safety of the route, turn back and choose another way. Even a terrain,
which looks harmless, can be difficult and dangerous, and may bring you and
your passengers into a critical situation.
If you have not fastened your seat belt correctly or you are not wearing your
seat belt at all, or you are holding the steering wheel incorrectly when driving
off-road, the risk of severe or even fata l injuries increases. Correctly fastened
seat belts reduce serious injuries in case of sudden braking manoeuvers and
accidents. As long as the vehicle is in motion, always have your seat belt and
those of your passen gers correctly fastened. Take yo ur thumbs off the steering
wheel when driving off-road. Should resist ance build up in front of the wheels,
the steering wheel may suddenly and unexpect edly spin and hur t you. Hold the
steering wheel with both hands firmly on the outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3
o'clock position.
If you have not fastened your seat belt correctly or you are not wearing your
seat belt at all, or you are holding the steering wheel incorrectly when driving
off-road, the risk of severe or even fatal injuries increases.
Correctly fastened seat belts reduce serious injuries in case of sudden
braking manoeuvers and accidents. Th erefore you and your passengers must
always fasten your seat belts correctl y as long as the vehicle is moving.
Take your thumbs off the steering wh eel when driving off-road. If the
wheels hit an obstac le, the steering wheel may suddenly and unexpectedly spin
and hurt you!
Never use the cruise control system wh en driving off-road. The use of the
cruise control system when driving of f-road is unsuitable and can even be
dangerous.
Do not drive over embankments, ramps or hillsides at too high a speed. This
can lead to the wheels of the vehicle lifting off the ground so that you can no
longer steer and control the vehicle.
If the wheels lose contact with the ground, for example when the vehicle
rebounds while driving over corrugations, steer straight ahead. If the wheels
are turned when making the contact with the ground again, the vehicle can roll
over.
There should never be any person in front or behind the vehicle when rocks,
scrub, wood pieces or other objects ar e placed under the wheels in order to
achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground. Turning the wheels can trans-
form these objects into dangerous “bullets” – hazard!
Warning of a rolloverVehicles of this type have a higher centre of gravity than ordinary vehicles. This
increases the risk of vehicle rollover when driving on-road and off-road. Therefore, you
must always pay attention to the safety information which is stated in the Owner's
Manual.
WARNING
In the event of a vehicle rollover, an occupant of the vehicle who is not
wearing a seat belt is exposed to a clearly higher risk of injury compared to an
occupant who is wearing a seat belt.
Luggage and other items, which are transported on the roof of the vehicle,
additionally raise the centre of gravity and thus increase the risk of a rollover.
Avoid driving at an angle on a hillside page 186.
Observe the important guidelines page 179.
Important informationOff-road driving is not suitable for everyone. Small children, expectant mothers and
elderly or physically di sabled persons are particularly at risk if the ride is rough and
help is far away.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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182
Embankment angle (front and rear)
Transition from the horizontal plane to an upward slope or from a downward slope
back to the plane. The angle indication determines the angle at which you can drive the
vehicle down the embankment, at a slow speed, without the bumper or the under-
body of the vehicle touching the ground.
Slope angle
The difference of altitude (upward slope) which is overcome on a stretch of road of 100
m, is indicated in percentage or degrees, i. e the gradiant at which the vehicle can climb
a hill on its own (among other things, depe nding on the road surface and the engine
power).
Ground clearance
The distance between the road surface and the deepest point of the vehicle under-
body.
Ramp angle
The angle indication determines the angle at which you can drive the vehicle over a
ramp, at a slow speed, without the underbody of the vehicle touching the ramp edge.
WARNING
When exceeding the maximum value given in the table page 245, “Angle (in
degree)”, this can result in serious inju ries and/or vehicle damage. All of the
data was determined on flat, firm and no n-slip road surfaces as well as under
dry weather conditions. There are no id eal off-road conditions. Therefore,
never completely go according to the maximum values, but always leave a
safety margin.Useful utensilsMany items can be very useful wh en driving off-road, for example:
compass and maps,
torch and spare batteries,
mobile phone or CB radio,
tow bar or tow rope with sufficient tear strength,
electrically driven tyre pump for connect ing to the 12-volt power outlet of the
vehicle,
a blanket and rubber boots,
snow chains,
a timber plank which is approximately 4 cm thick and about 1 metre long can be
used as a traction aid when the vehicle is stuck or as a base for the lifting jack,
additional tools and a folding yardstick or a measuring tape,
spare wheel and tyre repair kit,
shovel.
Safe off-road drivingAdopt a correct seated position and always fa sten the seat belt correctly. Make sure
that your front passenger and your passengers seated on the rear seats always fasten
their seat belts correctly.
When driving off-road, it is perhaps more useful to adopt a slightly different seated
position. Depending on the terrain, an incr eased force may be required to turn the
steering wheel because the force is transferred from the front wheels to the steering
wheel. You must be seated in such a way that you have good front visibility, especially
when driving uphill or downhill. You must never be seated in such a way that the
distance between your chest and the midd le of the airbag cover is less than 25 cm
page 148.
Under no circumstances must you drive off-ro ad with high heels, slippery or open
shoes. You should wear shoes which fit your feet well and allow you to get a feel for the
pedals.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.Before driving off-road
Make sure the tyres are suitable for the pl anned off-road journey. Be fore you dri ve
through difficult terrain, equip yo ur vehicle with off-road tyres.
AA
AB
AC
AD
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Driving and the Environment187
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
tilt, steer immediat
ely downhill on your trajec tory and lightly depress the
accelerator.
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, avoid sudden and uncontrolled movements in the vehicle. The vehicle
can roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to serious injuries.
If the vehicle is stationary on a hillside with a too great angle of lateral incli-
nation, neither you nor your occupants must exit the vehicle through the doors
facing downhill. This can lead to a shift of the overall centre of gravity. The
vehicle can tilt or roll over and then roll down the hillside. This can lead to
serious injuries. To avoid this, you and your occupants must exit the vehicle
only on the side facing uphill page 186, fig. 158.
When you exit the vehicle, make sure that the door which faces uphill does
not close by its own weight or by carelessness - risk of injury!
Observe the important guidelines page 179.
Driving over rutted roads and troughsYou will always encounter ruts when driv ing on forest roads, through wet meadows
and fields as well as on rutted stretches of terrain.
If the ruts and troughs are on firm and soft ground, you can simply follow the ruts.
Do not drive over ruts and troughs which ar e too deep. If you cannot avoid this, it is
better that you turn back.
Caution
If the ruts or troughs become too deep, the underbody of the vehicle can touch the
ground, which might cause the underbody to get damaged. Therefore, avoid driving in
deep ruts and troughs.Crossing a trenchIf possible, drive through the trench at an acute angle. Make sure when driving through
the trench that the tilt angle is not too steep.
WARNING
Never attempt to drive through a trench if its embankment is too steep. The
vehicle could slip, tilt or roll over - risk of accident!
Caution
If you drive into the trench at a right angle, the front wheels will sink into the trench.
There is also the danger that the underbod y of the vehicle touches the ground and is
damaged. For these reasons (even with four-wheel drive) it is rarely possible to get out
of the trench.Driving in sand and mudYou should therefore always drive at a cons tant speed through sand or mud whenever
possible and at the same time do not shift gears or change the driving stage.
– Switch on the Off-road mode page 170.
– Select a suitable gear or driving stage and maintain the gear or driving stage.
– Keep your vehicle in constant motion and do not stop until you have reached firm
ground.
Never drive too fast, otherwise the wheels may spin and the vehicle can get stuck. If
you feel that the tyres do no longer grip, then turn the steering wheel quickly back and
forth. This leads to an improved adhesion of the front tyres of the vehicle for a short
period of time.
Driving through sand
Do not reduce the tyre inflation pressure. If yo u nevertheless reduce the inflation
pressure, do not forget to re-establish the correct tyre inflation pressure level before
you continue driving. Driving with a reduced tyre inflation pressure increases the risk
that you lose control over your vehicle and that the vehicle rolls over.
Driving through mud
Do not change speed or direction when you drive through the mud. The tyres can lose
their grip in the mud. If the vehicle slides, you must steer in the appropriate direction
in order to regain control over the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the Environment
188WARNING
Driving through mud can be dangerous. The vehicle can slide uncontrol-
lably which causes an increased risk of injury. Adopt a particularly cautious
style of driving. Pay attention to the information and warning notes.
An incorrect tyre inflation pressure may cause a major or fatal accident! An
incorrect tyre inflation pressure may result in bursting of a tyre, which causes
the vehicle to get out of control.
Observe the important guidelines page 179.
Stuck vehicleIf you can no longer drive on ...– Carefully dig out all the wheels and make sure that no other parts of the vehicle are
stuck in the sand.
– Engage the reverse gear.
– Gently depress the accelerator and try to drive backwards in your own track.
– Place scrub, footmats or a sackcloth directly in front of the tyres in order to improve
the road adherence and thus achieve an improved traction to drive out.Rocking out vehicle–Switch off the TCS page 165.
– Set the steering wheel straight.
– Drive so far back until the wheels just begin to spin.
– Quickly shift into first gear and drive forwards until the wheels begin to spin.
– Drive back and forth repeatedly until the momentum is sufficient to free the vehicle.
–Switch on the TCS.A few tips– Ensure that the Off-road mode is switched on page 170. – Avoid prolonged spinning of the wheels, otherwise the vehicle would still sink
deeper into the ground.
– Remove mud, dirt and stones from the tread of the tyre.
You need training and experience if you wish to rock out a vehicle. If you make a
mistake, the vehicle can still sink in further and you can only free it with the help of
others.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.After driving off-roadCheck the vehicle for damage after driving off-road - especially on the underside of the
vehicle.
– Switch off the Off-road mode page 170.
– Check the tyres and the axles for damage and remove coarse dirt, stones and foreign bodies from the tyre tread.
– Clean the turn signal lights, the headlights, the number plate and the windows.
– Check the underbody of the vehicle and remove trapped objects, such as scrub or wood pieces.
– Contact your specialist gara ge if you detect any damage.
– In case of thick layers of dirt, clean the radiator grille, the engine compartment and the underbody of the vehicle.
WARNING
Combustible materials which are tra pped under the vehicle floor can be
dangerous. They can impair the driving safety and the safety of all the occu-
pants of the vehicle. After driving off-road, always check the underside of the
vehicle and remove trapped objects.
Never continue the journey if objects are trapped under the vehicle. This
can damage the fuel lines, the brake system, the seals and other parts of the
chassis.
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