engine's air suction nozzles and this can
cause engine damage.
i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
set the raised level before driving through
standing water.
Off-road fording
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior equip-
ment. R
Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording. R
Select the highest possible vehicle level. R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter. R
Avoid high engine speeds. R
Enter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace. R
Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water. R
Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive. R
Do not stop and do not switch off the
engine. Water offers a high degree of resist-
ance, and the ground is slippery and in
some cases unstable. Therefore, it is diffi-
cult and dangerous to pull away in the
water. R
Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording. R
Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Always observe the fording depth values
( Y
page 455). Winter driving
G WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
G DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a quali-
fied specialist workshop at the onset of win-
ter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use the cruise
control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed: X
Shift the transmission to position N .
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package:
if driving in snow or with snow chains, select
the snow program ( Y
page 255) with the off-
road program selector wheel in the center
console.
i Vehicles with a diesel engine: do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with a protective
cover. The measuring function of the on-
board diagnosis system may otherwise pro-
vide inaccurate values. Some of these val- Driving tips 197
Driving and parking Z
Messages in the multifunction display
If a gear change process has not been successful, the following messages may be displayed in
the multifunction display:
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
LOW RANGE Max.
Speed 40 km/h You have been driving faster than 40 km/h. Additionally, the indi-
cator lamp on the button in the center console blinks. X
Drive more slowly to carry out the gear change process.
LOW RANGE Shift to
Position N Briefly The transmission is in position D and you are driving at below
40 km/h. X
Shift the transmission to N to complete the gear change proc-
ess.
LOW RANGE Shifting
Canceled Please
Reactivate The gear change process was not carried out. X
Ensure that all gear change conditions are fulfilled and carry out
the gear change process again.
LOW RANGE Stop
Apply Parking Brake A warning tone also sounds. 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.
! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle's drive train. X
Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic condi-
tions when doing this. X
Depress the electric parking brake ( Y
page 190).X
Carry out the gear change process again.
If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW
RANGE
Stop Apply Parking Brake message disappears.
ON&OFFROAD menu in the COMAND
display (vehicles with the ON&OFF-
ROAD package) You can display some driving systems, driving
programs and additional information in the
COMAND display. X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock. X
Make sure that COMAND is activated, see
the separate COMAND operating instruc-
tions. X
Press function button C .
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display: R
Level control R
Steering angle R
Vehicle's angle of inclination262
Driving systems
Driving and parking