Fig. 134 On steep slopes, you should always use the doors pointing up the hill to get out of the
vehicle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Traversing a slope is one of the most dangerous off-road situations ⇒.
It may look harmless, but you should not underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a
slope. A vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll when in this position. This can cause severe or
fatal injuries for all vehicle occupants.
Check whether you can use a safer route before driving across a slope.
If you have to drive at an angle, make sure the ground is as firm as possible. The vehicle is more
likely to slip, dip and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always be aware that uneven ground
makes the slope steeper. The vehicle could otherwise tip over and start to roll.
When driving across a slope, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or
hollows. The wheels on the upper side of the vehicle must never roll over bumps, for example
stones, tree trunks or other obstacles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator
slightly ⇒ Fig. 133. If it is not possible to drive along the fall line, then steer uphill and depress the
accelerator slightly.
The centre of gravity should be as low as possible. The weight of all vehicle occupants should be
evenly distributed. People with a larger or heavier build should sit on the higher side of the vehicle.
Remove the roof carrier and secure heavy items. The vehicle could tip over if items were to slide
suddenly ⇒.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
•Check whether the tilt angle and gradient entry/exit angles are small enough to drive through
the ditch with the vehicle ⇒.
•If possible, drive through the ditch at an acute angle ⇒.
•The tilt angle may not get too large when driving through the ditch.
Never try to traverse a slope, particularly if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could
slide away, tip over or roll. Please note the following points in order to reduce the risk of
accidents and serious injuries:
•You should never underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a slope. Never
choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If
you are in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.
•The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over and roll
down the hill.
•The wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The
wheels on the upper side of the vehicle must never roll over bumps, for example
stones, tree trunks or other obstacles.
•Please ensure that you can steer in the fall line on a route driving across a slope.
Choose another route if this is not guaranteed. If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer
immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator slightly ⇒ Fig. 133.
•If the vehicle is stopped when traversing a slope, avoid sudden movements in the
vehicle. The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over and
roll down the hill.
•Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill
when parked sideways on a steep hill. This could cause the centre of gravity to move.
The vehicle could otherwise tip over or roll over and roll down the hill. To avoid this,
always leave the vehicle carefully on the side that is facing uphill ⇒ Fig. 134.
•When getting out the vehicle, please ensure that the vehicle door which opens uphill
does not close with its own weight or through carelessness thus potentially causing
injury.
WARNING
