Avoiding damage to your vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Driving Tips
211
Driving through water
211
Driving Tips
Only drive on such roads and in such terrain that match the vehicle parameters
» page 303 , Technical data as well as your driving skills.
The driver is always responsible for deciding whether the vehicle can handle
travelling in the given terrain.
WARNING■ Adjust the speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions. Too high a speed or an erroneous manoeuvre may
cause serious injury and damage to the vehicle.■
Combustible objects such as dry leaves or twigs caught under the base of
the vehicle could ignite on hot vehicle parts - risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ Pay attention to the ground clearance of the vehicle! When driving over ob-
jects which are larger than the ground clearance, the vehicle can get damaged.■
Any objects that get trapped under the vehicle floor must be removed as
soon as possible. These items can cause damage to the vehicle (e.g. on parts
of the fuel system or the brake system).
Driving through water
Fig. 263
Maximum permissible water lev-
el when driving through water
The following must be observed to avoid damage to the vehicle when driving
through bodies of water (e.g. flooded roads).›
Therefore determine the depth of the water before driving through bodies of
water. The water level must not go above the web of the lower beam
» Fig. 263 .
›
Drive at a maximum speed of walking pace, otherwise a shaft may form in
front of the vehicle which could enable water to enter the vehicle system
(e.g. in the air induction system of the engine).
›
Never stop in the water, do not reverse and do not switch the engine off.
CAUTION
■ Water entering the vehicle systems (e.g. the air induction system of the en-
gine) can cause serious damage to the vehicle!■
Oncoming vehicles can generate water waves which can exceed the permis-
sible water level for your vehicle.
■
Do not drive through salt water, as the salt can cause corrosion. An vehicle
coming into contact with salt water is to be thoroughly rinsed with fresh wa-
ter.
211Starting-off and Driving
