You can drive the vehicle carefully through water with a depth reaching to the bottom edge of the
body, for example puddles or shallow water. Never stop in the water, do not reverse, and never
switch off the engine.
Observe further information on driving through water on roads ⇒ Driving through water .
WARNING
Flowing water can develop enormous power and sweep the vehicle away. This can lead to very
dangerous situations which can cause accidents and serious or even fatal accidents.
Never stop the vehicle when in water.
Water in the engine compartment can cause the vehicle to break down in the water.
Soft ground surfaces, underwater obstacles and shallows can cause accidents and can cause the
vehicle to breakdown in the water. This could lead to critical situations.
NOTICE
If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, drive train, running gear and
vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage.
When driving through water, always select a section where the ground is solid and where the depth
of the water does not exceed the maximum permitted fording depth of the vehicle.
Never drive through salt, salty surfaces or salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Rinse off all
components that have been exposed to salt or salt water immediately with fresh water.
Offroad driving in snow
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Fit snow chains to the front wheels only before driving on snow-covered terrain.
Terrain might look harmless, but there could be hidden dangers. This is particularly true of sections
where there are no visible tyre tracks or other tracks.
WARNING
Driving in snow-covered terrain is very dangerous.
Both shallow and deep potholes, hollows, ditches, precipices, frozen surfaces and other obstacles
can be fully or partially covered by snow.
Dangers concealed by snow can cause an accident, serious injuries, or cause the vehicle to break
down in extreme weather conditions.
An incorrect tyre pressure can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre bursts and
ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Driving on steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Driving uphill or downhill
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other
hidden dangers ⇒ .
Check the section beyond the hill.
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select
another route.
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the
probability of stalling the engine.
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.
Avoid allowing the engine to stall.
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope.
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display .
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again.
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line.
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place.
Driving downhill
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately.
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle
when driving downhill in particular.
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches ⇒ Offroad display .
Drive down steep inclines in first gear.
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.
Fig. 116 On steep slopes: always use the doors facing 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 offroad 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 and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always make sure that the tilt angle does not
become too large due to uneven ground. The vehicle could otherwise tip over and start to roll.
When the vehicle is tilted at a large angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never
enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for
example rocks, tree trunks or other obstacles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator
slightly ⇒ Fig. 115 . If it is not possible to steer into the fall line, then steer uphill and depress the
accelerator slightly.
The centre of gravity of the vehicle 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 ⇒ .
WARNING
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 when traversing a slope 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
higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other
obstacles.
Before traversing a slope, make sure that it is possible to steer into the fall line. 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. 115 .
If the vehicle is stopped at a large tilt angle when traversing a slope, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
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 the vehicle
is stopped sideways on a slope with a large tilt angle to one side. This could cause the centre of
gravity to move to the side. The vehicle could then 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. 116 .
When getting out the vehicle, make sure that the vehicle door which opens uphill does not close
with its own weight or through carelessness, thus potentially causing injury.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Check whether the ramp and tilt 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 must not become too large when driving through the ditch.
WARNING
Never drive through a ditch if the ramp and tilt angles are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is
too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.
NOTICE
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of your vehicle
could bottom, get stuck and be damaged. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite
having all-wheel drive.
Stuck vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Rocking free a vehicle requires training and feeling for the vehicle.
If you make a mistake when rocking free the vehicle, it can sink deeper and you will need assistance
to free the vehicle.
When you cannot move forwards
Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the sand.
Select reverse gear.
Reverse in your own tracks with gentle use of the accelerator.
If this does not help, place brushwood, foot mats or sacking directly in front of the wheels to
increase grip ⇒ .
Rocking the vehicle free
Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper ⇒ .
Switch off TCS ⇒ Brake support systems .
Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.
Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.
Immediately select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.
Repeat driving back and forth until you have enough momentum to free yourself.
Switch the TCS on after the rocking free procedure is completed ⇒ Brake support systems .
Use the Offroad driving profile.
WARNING
No one must stand either in front or behind the vehicle, particularly if you are attempting to free a
stuck vehicle.
Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that are in front or
behind the wheels at enormous speed and cause potentially fatal injury.
People standing in front of or behind the vehicle could be run over if the stuck vehicle starts to move
suddenly.
After offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Checklist
Clean the turn signals, lighting system, the number plate and all windows.
If automatic deceleration by ACC is not sufficient, ACC will request you to brake additionally by a
corresponding message on the instrument cluster. In addition, the red warning lamp lights up
and an acoustic warning is given. Brake immediately!
Radar sensor
ACC detects driving situations by means of the radar sensor at the front of the vehicle ⇒ Front view .
The radar sensor has a range of up to approximately 120 m.
WARNING
The intelligent technology used in the ACC cannot overcome the laws of physics, and functions only
within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience tempt you into taking safety risks
when driving. Careless or unintentional use of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can cause accidents
and lead to serious injury. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the driver.
Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
Never use the ACC in poor visibility, on steep or winding roads, or on slippery road surfaces e.g. due
to snow, ice, wet roads, loose chippings, or on flooded roads.
Never use the ACC offroad or on non-surfaced roads. The ACC is designed for use on surfaced roads
only.
The ACC will not react to stationary vehicles.
The ACC will not react to persons, animals or vehicles crossing or approaching in the same lane.
Brake immediately if speed reduction by ACC is not sufficient.
Brake immediately if a request to brake appears on the instrument cluster display.
Brake if the vehicle starts rolling unintentionally after a request to brake.
Be prepared to control the speed yourself at all times.
Special driving situations
Fig. 118 On the instrument cluster display: slower vehicle detected in the left-hand lane (illustration).
The brake pedal will feel harder during an automatic braking operation.
Radar sensor
Front Assist detects driving situations by means of the radar sensor at the front of the vehicle
⇒ Front view . The radar sensor has a range of up to approximately 120 m.
Functions included in the system
The City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring (depending on vehicle equipment)
are part of Front Assist and are automatically active when Front Assist is switched on.
WARNING
The intelligent technology used in Front Assist cannot overcome the laws of physics, and functions
only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience afforded by Front Assist tempt
you into taking safety risks when driving. The driver is always responsible for braking in time.
If Front Assist issues a warning, brake your vehicle immediately depending on the traffic situation or
avoid the obstacle.
Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
Front Assist cannot prevent accidents and serious injuries on its own.
Front Assist can issue unnecessary warnings and carry out unwanted braking interventions in certain
complex driving situations, e.g. at traffic islands.
Front Assist can issue unnecessary warnings and carry out unwanted braking interventions when its
function is impaired, e.g. if the radar sensor is dirty or its position has been changed.
Front Assist without Pedestrian Monitoring does not react to persons. In addition, the system does
not react to animals or to vehicles that are crossing or approaching in the same lane.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle possesses Pedestrian Monitoring, please enquire about this
at a qualified workshop before starting your journey.
Be prepared to take over control of the vehicle yourself at all times.
Warning levels and braking intervention
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Distance warning
The system detects when safety is endangered by driving too close to the vehicle in front. The
warning lamp lights up. Increase the distance.
Speed range: around 65 km/h (40 mph) to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Advance warning
The system is able to detect possible collisions with vehicles in front or pedestrians crossing in front
of the vehicle and prepares the vehicle for a possible emergency braking procedure.
A warning tone sounds and the red warning lamp lights up. Brake or take avoiding action.
Speed range: around 30 km/h (20 mph) to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Urgent warning
If the driver does not react to the advance warning, the system may initiate a short braking jolt in
order to draw attention to the increasing collision risk. Brake or take avoiding action.
Speed range: around 30 km/h (20 mph) to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Automatic braking
If the driver also does not react to the urgent warning, the vehicle can be braked automatically with
braking force that increases in several stages. The reduced speed means that it is possible to
minimise the consequences of an accident.
Speed range: around 5 km/h (3 mph) to 250 km/h (155 mph).
Braking intervention
If the system detects that the driver is braking insufficiently when there is a risk of collision, the
system can increase the braking force and help prevent a collision. The braking intervention takes
place only for as long as the brake pedal is pressed hard.
Speed range: around 5 km/h (3 mph) to 250 km/h (155 mph).
City Emergency Braking System
The City Emergency Braking System is part of Front Assist. If the driver does not react to a possible
collision, the system can also automatically brake the vehicle with increasing braking force without
any advance warning.
The red warning lamp lights up
Speed range: around 5 km/h (3 mph) to 30 km/h (20 mph).
Limits of Front Assist
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Front Assist is not available or its functions are restricted for a period of around 30 seconds (also
longer, depending on the driving situation) immediately after the vehicle is started.
Front Assist has physical and system-related limitations. You should therefore always be prepared to
take full control of the vehicle if necessary.
Delayed response
If the radar sensor is exposed to environmental conditions that impair sensor functioning, the
system may detect this only after a certain time. For this reason, possible functional restrictions may
be displayed only after a delay at the start of the journey and when driving ⇒ .