Driving and the Environment181
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
The first priority
should always be safety.
Never overestimate your own capabilities and never underestimate the difficulties of
driving off-road.
We cannot discuss all the possible driving situations in this manual, because there are
so many types of terrains which may hide different risks and dangers. The examples
listed in this manual are general rules for safe off-road driving. It is however not
possible to predict if these rules are valid for all the situations which may occur. Before
driving through unknown terrain, it is ther efore important that you know what lies
ahead of you. This way you can estima te any possible danger in advance.
For the sake of the environment
When driving off-road, show respect and appreciation for the environment and its
preservation for future generations.Before driving off-road for the first timeBefore driving off-road, we recommend that you take part in an Off-road driver
training course. This is especial l y i m p o r t a n t i f y o u h a v e l i t t l e o r n o e x p e r i e n c e o f d r i v i n g
off-road. In a driver training course, you learn how to use th e vehicle in many different
off-road situations and how to handle the vehicle safely when driving through rough
terrain.
Driving off-road requires entirely different skills from the driver and a very different
behaviour than driving on the road. Your pers onal safety and that of your passengers
depend on you, your capabili ties and your cautiousness.
Do not drive off-road where it is not suitable for your vehicle or where the demands
on you are too high. Although your vehicle can handle off-road driving, it is not
designed for travels with expedition characteristics.
Before each journey off-road, make sure that the vehicle is appropriately equipped for
the planned journey page 182. The standard equipmen t of your vehicle may not be
sufficient for your journey. With the standard tyres you can drive with your off-road
vehicle through easy terrain, such as flat forest roads, meadows and fields. Please note
however, that driving the vehicle on a diffic ult, muddy and sandy ground is restricted
and that the traction of the standard tyres is reduced when driving off-road. If you have
planned prolonged or difficul t off-road trips, we recommend that you equip your
vehicle with suitable off-road tyres.
WARNING
Observe the important guidelines page 179.Rules of conduct for responsible off-road drivingObserve the valid national legal requirements when driving off-road.Explanation of technical termsFig. 155 Embankment angle / slope angle
Fig. 156 Ground clearance / ramp angleThe technical data page 245, “Angle (in degree)” refer to ideal conditions. These
values may differ depending on the load and composition of the soil and the environ-
ment. The driver is responsible to decide whether a vehicle can overcome a certain
situation.
s2ug.6.book Page 181 Friday, April 9, 2010 2:24 PM
