Off-road driving
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 151.
Important information
› Switch on the
OFF ROADmode » page 98 , OFF ROAD mode.
› Drive slowly through tricky route sections. Shift up when driving up on slippery
surfaces, make sure the vehicle always remains in motion. Do not drive too fast
otherwise you may lose control over the vehicle.
› Drive slowly over hilltops. Make sure that the wheels of the vehicle do not lift
off the ground, as this could severely damage the vehicle and it may become
disabled.
› If your vehicle got stuck in sand, snow or sludge, it may be more effective to re-
verse the vehicle than trying to drive forwards.
› Place stones, footmats or pieces of wood under the spinning wheels in order to
achieve traction on a sandy or slippery ground.
› Read the instructions before driving through water
» page 151.
› Keep sufficient distance from other vehicles even at low speeds. When the first
vehicle suddenly gets stuck, the following vehicle can still stop in time without
getting stuck itself.
Driving uphill
› Drive slowly and steadily straight uphill.
› Do not shift gears or press the clutch pedal while climbing.
› Only press the accelerator enough to move up the hill.
› Do not stop or turn the vehicle around on the hillside.
› Prevent the engine from cutting out.
If you can go no further on a slope
› Never attempt to make a turn with the vehicle on a hillside.
› If the engine cuts out, stop and restart the engine.
› Shift into reverse gear and carefully move backwards in your own lane.
Downhill
› Shift into first gear or select the first driving stage, while in Tiptronic mode, to
drive downhill on steep hillsides. The Downhill Drive Support is optimally utilis-
ed in this way.
› Use the foot break carefully otherwise you may lose control over the vehicle.
› If it is feasible and safe, drive straight down.
› Do not press down on the clutch or shift into Neutral.
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Driving over rutted roads and troughs
› Only drive over rutted roads and troughs when they do not exceed your vehi-
cle's ground clearance. Your vehicle may
“sink” and get stuck in soft ground.
› Never drive over rutted roads and troughs which are too deep. If you cannot
avoid this, it is better that you turn back.
Crossing a trench › If possible, drive through the trench at an acute angle. Make sure when driving
through the trench that the tilt angle is not too steep.
Driving in sand and mud
› You should always drive at a constant speed through sand or mud whenever
possible and at the same time do not shift gears.
› Never drive too fast, otherwise the wheels may spin and the vehicle can get
stuck. If you feel that the tyres are losing grip, turn the steering wheel quickly
back and forth. This leads to an improved grip on the front tyres for a short peri-
od of time. Ð Changing gear when driving off-road
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 151.
The gear you must shift into depends on the terrain. Choosing the correct gear
contributes to safe driving.
Important information
› When the gear or the driving stage has been properly selected, it is unnecessary
to slow down the vehicle on a downhill section using the footbrake as in most
cases the engine braking power is sufficient.
› Depress the accelerator only as much as is necessary. A too great acceleration
may lead to the wheels spinning and thus results in the loss over the control of
the vehicle. £
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154 Driving Tips
The first 1 500 km 146
Tyres 146
S
Safe securing system 28
Safety 128
Child safety 143
Child safety seats 143
Head restraints 59
ISOFIX 145
TOP TETHER 145
Save electrical energy 147
Seat Adjusting 56
Seat belt Indicator light 20
Seat belt height adjuster 135
Seat belts 132
Belt tensioners 135
Cleaning 166
fastening and unfastening 134
Height adjustment 135
Seats folding forward 60
Head restraints 59
Heating 58
Removing seats 61
Selector lever see selector lever positions 110
Selector lever positions 110
Service display 10
Setting Automatic dimming interior mirror 52
Manual air conditioning system 85
Manual dimming interior mirror 52
Steering wheel 93
Setting temperature Heating 82
Setting the clock Clock 11Shifting
Diving economically 147
Gearshift lever 100
Side airbag 140
Slop angle 153
Snow chains 187
Spare wheel 184
Speedometer 9
Stabilisation Control (ESC) 96
START/STOP Function 106
Starting engine Jump-starting 197
Starting the engine 92
START STOP Jump-starting 198
Steering force assistance 93
Steering wheel 93
Stopping off the engine 92
Storage 72
Storage compartment Lighting 46
Storage compartments 72
Sun visors 48
Switching lights on and off 40
T
Taking care of the vehicle Artificial leather 165
Material coverings 165
Materials 165
Natural leather 165
Seat belts 166
Taking care of your vehicle 160
Automatic car wash system 161
Chrome parts 162
Cleaning the wheels 164
Door lock cylinders 163
Headlight lenses 163High-pressure cleaner 161
Plastic parts 162
Polishing the paintwork 162
Preservation 162
Rubber seals 163
Washing 161
Washing by hand 161
Wash system 161
TCS Function 97
Warning light 22
Technical data 208
Telephone 116, 119
Through-loading bag 78
Tiptronic 109
see automatic gearbox 111
Tool 190
TOP TETHER 145
Towing 198
Towing a trailer 157
Towing eye 199
Towing protection 32
Traction control system (TCS) 97
Trailer 157
Towing a trailer 157
Transport Boot 62
Roof rack system 68
Transporting children safely 143
Two-way radio systems 114
Type plate 208
Tyre repair 194
Tyres see Wheels and tyres 183
U
Underbody protection 164
unlock Central locking system 28
219
Index