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i The key can only be removed if you have turned it to position 0 in the ignition lock. To unlock the steering wheel, move the steering wheel slightly to the left and right while turning the key to position 1.
On vehicles with an integrated battery main switch, the hazard warning lamps may still be switched on when the key is in position 0 even when the battery main switch is switched off. The dipped and main-beam headlamps as well as side lamps can be switched on when the hazard warning lamps are switched on. i The indicator and warning lamps light up in the instrument cluster when you switch on the ignition. They go out when the engine is running. This shows that the indi- cator and warning lamps for each system are operational.
Starting the engine Important safety notes G WARNING Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave the engine running in enclosed spaces with- out sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
Starting procedure X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P. Transmission position P appears in the dis- play.
i You can also start the engine when the automatic transmission is in position N. i For further information about the auto-
matic transmission, see (Y page 91).
i If you depress the brake when starting the engine, pedal travel is unusually long and there is less pedal resistance.
X Make sure that the parking brake is
applied.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock. The % preglow indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
X When the % preglow indicator lamp goes out, turn the key to position 3 and release it. The engine starts automatically. If the engine does not start after a predetermined time, the starting procedure ends automat- ically. You can interrupt the starting proce- dure manually at any time.
X To interrupt the starting procedure: turn
the key in the ignition lock to position 0.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
Pulling away Automatic transmission G WARNING If the engine speed is above the idling speed and you engage transmission position D or R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident. When engaging transmission position D or R, always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
! Only shift the automatic transmission to reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the auto- matic transmission could be damaged.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion D or R.
i Before driving off, wait until the gear
change is fully completed.
Driving
89
X Release the parking brake (Y page 101). X Release the brake pedal. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. i It is only possible to shift the automatic transmission from position P to a different position if you depress the brake pedal. Only then is the selector lever lock released.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature more quickly.
90 Driving
Problems with the engine Problem The engine does not start. You can hear the starter motor.
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions RThere is a malfunction in the engine electronics. RThere is a malfunction in the fuel supply. X Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
The engine does not start. The starter motor can be heard. The yel- low reserve fuel warn- ing lamp is lit and the needle of the fuel gauge shows 0.
The engine does not start. You cannot hear the starter motor.
The engine is not run- ning smoothly and is misfiring.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 88). Avoid excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain the battery (Y page 87).
If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank is empty. X Refuel the vehicle. X Bleed the fuel system (Y page 100).
The on-board voltage is too low because the batteries are too weak or discharged. X Start the engine using the emergency start facility
(Y page 163).
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 163). If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical component of the engine management system. X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con- verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Automatic transmission
91
Problem The coolant tempera- ture display shows a value above 120 †.
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently. X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 143). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, the radiator fan may be faulty. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled suffi- ciently. X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.
Automatic transmission Important safety notes G WARNING Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal. The operating and road safety of the vehicle is jeopardised. There is a risk of an accident. Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter the driver's footwell. Fit the floormats securely and as specified in order to ensure sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats.
i Bear in mind that power transmission
between the engine and the transmission is interrupted when the engine is switched off. For this reason, shift the automatic transmission to P when the engine is switched off and the vehicle is stationary. Apply the parking brake to prevent the vehi- cle from rolling away.
Selector lever Overview of transmission positions
Selector lever P Park position with selector lever lock R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive
92
Automatic transmission
Transmission position display
A Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels. Releasing the brakes will allow you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it. Do not shift the transmission to N while driving. Otherwise, the auto- matic transmission could be dam- aged. Shift into N briefly, if: Rthere is a risk of the vehicle skid-
ding, e.g. on slippery roads in winter.
Ryou want to engage the transfer
case.
! Rolling in neutral N can lead to
damage to the transmission.
7 Drive
The automatic transmission changes gear automatically. All forward gears are available.
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi- vidual gears automatically when it is in trans- mission position D. Gearshifting is deter- mined by: Ra shift range restriction, if selected Rthe position of the transfer case (HIGH or
LOW)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal Rthe road speed
: Transmission position/shift range Current shift range : is shown in the instru- ment cluster display. When the selector lever is in position D, you can influence the gearshifts made by the automatic transmission by: Rrestricting the shift range Rchanging gear yourself
Transmission positions B Park position
This prevents the vehicle from roll- ing away when stopped. Do not shift the transmission into position P(Y page 91) unless the vehicle is stationary. i The key can only be removed if the transmission is in position P. When there is no key in the igni- tion lock, the selector lever is locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop.
C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R when the vehicle is stationary.
Driving tips Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto- matic transmission shifts gear: Rlittle throttle: early upshifts Rmore throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration: X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point. The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached. The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Towing a trailer X Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3 or 2 depending
on the uphill or downhill gradient (Y page 93).
X Shift the transfer case into off-road driving position LOW on extreme uphill gradients or steep downhill gradients (Y page 110).
Shift ranges Introduction When the automatic transmission is in posi- tion D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict the shift range. The shift range selected is shown in the dis- play.
Automatic transmission
93
Driving situations = To use the engine's braking effect 5 The braking effect of the engine can be utilised on downhill gradients or when driving: Ron steep mountain roads Rin mountainous terrain Rin arduous conditions
4 The braking effect of the engine can
be utilised on extremely steep downhill gradients and long down- hill stretches.
Restricting the shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards
D–. The automatic transmission shifts down one gear and restricts the shift range to the relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift range is reached and you continue to accel- erate, the automatic transmission shifts up in order to prevent the engine from over- revving, even if the shift range is restricted.
Extending the shift range X Press the selector lever to the right towards
D+. The automatic transmission shifts up one gear and restricts the shift range to the rel- evant gear.
94
Automatic transmission
Clearing the shift range restriction X Press and hold the selector lever towards D+ until D is shown once more in the mul- tifunction display. The automatic transmission shifts from the current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position. The automatic transmission shifts to the gear which allows optimum acceleration and deceleration. To do this, the automatic transmission shifts down one or more gears.
i The automatic transmission cannot shift down beyond second gear. To shift to first gear, you have to pull the left steering wheel gearshift paddle.
Automatic transmission
95
Problems with the automatic transmission Problem The transmission has problems shifting gear.
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions The transmission is losing oil. X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
The acceleration ability is deteriorating. The transmission no longer changes gear.
The transmission is in emergency mode. It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear. X Stop. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition lock. X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine. X Shift the transmission to position D or R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
You hear a warning tone.
You have: Rswitched off the engine Ropened the driver's door Rnot moved the selector lever to position P X Move the selector lever to P.
Releasing the parking lock manually If a fault occurs, you can release the selector lever lock manually to move it out of position P to, for example, tow the vehicle.
X Apply the parking brake. X Press marking : down to the stop and
hold. The selector lever can now be moved freely until it is returned to position P.
ADR (working speed governor) ADR prevents a reduction in engine speed, e.g. when the alternator is under high load. The switches are located on the centre con- sole.
96
Refuelling
G WARNING Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury. Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil- dren. If you or others come into contact with fuel, observe the following: RWash the fuel off any affected areas of skin
with water and soap immediately.
RIf you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor- oughly with clean water immediately. Seek immediate medical attention.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.
RChange any clothing that has come into
contact with fuel immediately. G WARNING If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running, components in the exhaust system may over- heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire. Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to diesel fuel.
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a diesel engine. Never mix diesel with petrol. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel injection system.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you acci- dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other- wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify a qualified specialist workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com- pletely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted surfaces. You could otherwise damage the paintwork.
: To activate ADR ; To increase the engine speed = To lower the engine speed X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary. X Move the selector lever to P(Y page 92). X Press the upper half of switch :.
ADR is activated. The engine idling speed is controlled automatically. The K indi- cator lamp in the instrument panel lights up.
If ADR is activated you can increase to a max- imum of 1800 rpm or lower to a minimum of 900 rpm as necessary. X To increase the engine speed: press the
upper half of switch ;.
X To lower the engine speed: press the
lower half of switch =.
Refuelling Important safety notes G WARNING Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo- sion. You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling.
Refuelling
97
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel can. The fuel lines and/or the diesel injec- tion system could otherwise be blocked by particles from the fuel can.
Further information on fuel and fuel quality (Y page 191)
Preheater block ! Do not close the bonnet. Otherwise, you may damage the connection cable and a resulting short circuit may damage the engine electrical system. Lower the bonnet without closing it and secure the cable to prevent it from becoming crushed.
The preheater block makes it possible to keep the engine at operating temperature at out- side temperatures of down to -40†. The engine is heated electrically. Power is sup- plied by a power cable connected to a 230 V power supply. The preheater block's power socket is in the engine compartment on the right when viewed in the direction of travel. X Open the bonnet (Y page 140). X Open cover : in the direction of the arrow.
X Insert connection cable = with plug ?
into power socket ;.
X Connect the vehicle to a
230 V power supply using connection cable =. The preheater block is switched on. The engine is maintained at operating temper- ature.
X Carefully lower the bonnet.
98
Refuelling
Refuelling Vehicles with a fuel filler flap
Vehicles without a fuel filler flap
Example: station wagon
Example: chassis cab/platform truck
Example: 6x6 chassis cab with crewcab ; Fuel tank cap ? Additional fuel tank cap
Opening the fuel filler cap
Example: fuel filler flap : Fuel filler flap ; Fuel filler cap = Tyre pressure table X Press fuel filler flap : in the direction of
the arrow. The fuel filler flap opens slightly.
X Open the fuel filler flap. i Chassis-cab/platform truck: a table
with the tyre pressures can be found in the "Wheels and tyres" section (Y page 184).
Example: fuel filler cap X Turn lock cover B to the side. X Turn key A in fuel filler cap ; anti-clock-
wise and remove fuel filler cap ;.
Refuelling
99
or
X Turn key A in fuel filler cap ? anti-clock-
wise and remove fuel filler cap ?.
X For vehicles with a fuel filler flap, insert fuel filler cap ; into the bracket on the inside of the filler flap.
X For vehicles with a fuel filler flap, remove
key A from fuel filler cap ;.
Refuelling X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
i Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel may leak out.
Closing X Replace fuel filler cap and turn it clockwise
as far as it will go.
X Turn key A in the lock of fuel filler cap
clockwise and lock the fuel filler cap.
X Remove key A from the fuel filler cap. X Turn lock cover B back over the lock. X For vehicles with a fuel filler flap, close the
fuel filler flap.
Fuel transfer (6x6 chassis cab with crewcab) The 6x6 chassis cab with crewcab has an additional fuel tank. Fuel can be transferred from the additional fuel tank to the fuel tank: Rif the fuel tank is approximately only a quar-
ter full of fuel
Rat the latest when the fuel tank lamp lights
up in the instrument cluster.
X Make sure that the engine is running. X Press switch :.
Approximately 42 litres of fuel are trans- ferred from the additional fuel tank to the fuel tank: During the transfer process, the white indicator lamp in switch : lights up.
X To transfer additional fuel, press
switch : again.
i Fuel gauge ; only shows the correct fuel level when the vehicle is on level ground. If the fuel level is not displayed correctly:
X Switch off the engine X Start the engine again.
100 Parking
Problems with the fuel and fuel tank Problem Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions G Risk of explosion or fire The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective. X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 87) in the ignition lock imme-
diately and remove it.
The engine does not start.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank has been run dry. X Refuel the vehicle with at least 20 litres of diesel. X Turn the ignition on for around 10 seconds(Y page 87). X Start the engine continuously for up to 40 seconds until it runs
smoothly.
If the engine does not start: X Turn the ignition on again for approximately
10 seconds(Y page 87).
X Start the engine again continuously for up to 40 seconds until
it runs smoothly.
If the engine does not start after three attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Parking Important safety notes G WARNING Flammable materials, e.g. leaves, grass or twigs, may ignite if they come into contact with hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust gases for extended periods. There is a risk of fire. Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate- rials come into contact with hot parts of the vehicle. In particular, do not park on dry areas of grass or harvested grainfields. G WARNING If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident. Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against rolling away unintentionally: Rthe parking brake must be applied. Rthe transmission must be in position P and the key must be removed from the ignition lock
Rthe transfer case must not be in position
N.
Ron uphill or downhill gradients, turn the
front wheels towards the kerb.
Driving tips
101
Switching off the engine Important safety notes G WARNING If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident. Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X Shift the transmission to position P. X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock (Y page 87) and remove it. The immobiliser is activated.
X Apply the parking brake firmly. X Turn the steering wheel until the steering
wheel lock engages.
X Switch off the battery main switch
(Y page 87).
i Always remove the key when you park the vehicle, in order to prevent the battery dis- charging.
Parking brake
i When you apply parking brake ; to brake the vehicle, the brake lamps do not light up.
X To apply: pull parking brake ; up firmly. If the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, then the ! indicator lamp in the instru- ment cluster is lit.
X To release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed. The selector lever lock is released.
X Pull parking brake ; up firmly. X Press release button : on parking
brake ; and move parking brake ; down to the stop. The ! indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
i If you pull away with parking brake ;
applied, a warning tone sounds.
Parking up the vehicle If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than four weeks, the battery may be damaged by exhaustive discharging. X Disconnect the battery. or X Connect the battery to a trickle charger. i You can obtain information about trickle chargers from a qualified specialist work- shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer dam- age as a result of lack of use. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips Short journeys ! Vehicles with a diesel particle filter: if the vehicle is mostly driven for short dis- tances, it is possible that malfunctions may occur during the automatic cleaning of the diesel particle filter. This may lead to fuel collecting in the engine oil and cause
102 Driving tips
engine failure. Therefore, if you frequently drive short distances, you should take a 20
minute trip on a motorway or rural road at least every 500km.Braking Important safety notes 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. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill gradients, espe- cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 (Y page 93) in good time. This will use the braking effect of the engine, so less braking will be required to prevent the vehicle from gaining speed. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
Heavy and light loads G WARNING The braking system can overheat if you leave your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This increases the braking distance and could even cause the braking system to fail. There is a risk of an accident. Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do not simultaneously depress both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal while driving.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air- flow to cool the brakes more quickly. If the brakes have been used only moderately, you should occasionally test their effective- ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a higher speed. This improves the grip of the brakes.
Wet road surfaces If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period of time without braking, there may be a delayed reaction from the brakes when brak- ing for the first time. This may also occur after the vehicle has been washed. You have to depress the brake pedal more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front. After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten- tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly and protecting them against corro- sion.
Limited braking performance on salt- treated roads If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of salt may form on the brake discs and pads. This can increase the braking distance con- siderably. RApply the brakes occasionally in order to prevent any salt build-up. Ensure that you do not endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal at the end of the journey and when starting the next journey.
RMaintain a much greater distance to the
vehicle in front.
New brake pads/linings New brake pads/brake pads and discs that have been replaced only achieve optimum braking effect after several hundred kilome- tres of driving. Compensate for the reduced
braking effect by applying greater force to the brake pedal. For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you only have brake pads/linings fitted to your vehicle which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not of an equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's operating safety.
Parking brake G WARNING If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably longer and the wheels could lock. This increa- ses the risk of skidding and an accident. Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi- cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the wheels lock, release the parking brake until the wheels begin turning again.
When you apply the parking brake to brake the vehicle, the brake lamps do not light up. If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered sur- faces, road salt and/or dirt could get into the parking brake. In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction in the braking power of the parking brake, observe the following: Rpull the parking brake upwards with the
release button depressed from time to time before beginning the journey (Y page 101).
Rdrive for approximately 100 m at a maxi-
mum speed of 20 km/h.
Tyre traction G WARNING Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled at a certain speed on dry roads, you must reduce your speed on wet or icy roads to achieve the
Driving tips
103
same road safety. You could otherwise cause an accident. Pay particular attention to the road conditions at temperatures around freezing point. If ice has formed on the road surface (e.g. from fog), a thin film of water rapidly forms on the ice when you brake, considerably reduc- ing tyre traction. Drive with particular care in such weather conditions.
Driving on slippery surfaces ! If possible, do not let the drive wheels spin. Otherwise, you could damage the drive train.
X Engage the differential locks if necessary
(Y page 112).
Driving on wet roads Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua- planing occurring, even if: Ryou are driving at low speeds Rthe tyres have adequate tread depth For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts and brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads ! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in front or in the opposite direction create waves. This may cause the maximum per- missible water depth to be exceeded. These notes must be observed under all circumstances. You could otherwise dam- age the engine, the electronics or the trans- mission.
104 Driving tips
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which water has collected, please bear in mind that: Rthe maximum permissible fording depth in
still water is 60 cm
Ryou should drive no faster than walking
pace
Off-road fording ! The water depth must not exceed 60 cm. Note that the possible fording depth is less in flowing water.
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The bow wave could cause water to enter and damage the engine and neighbouring 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.
! During or after fording, the red battery charge indicator lamp in the instrument cluster may light up. The poly-V-belt is wet and is slipping on the drive pulley. RDrive on slowly. RAccelerate gently. RDo not switch off the engine. The poly-V-belt will dry out after fording. The red battery charge indicator lamp goes out after 15 seconds.
Fording depth must not exceed 60 cm when the vehicle is loaded and ready to drive. Loaded and ready to drive means: a full tank, all fluids topped up and the driver is in the vehicle. i You may only drive through freshwater. RObserve the safety notes (Y page 106) and the general notes (Y page 106) on off-road driving.
REstablish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before fording.
RSwitch off the air-conditioning system. RShift the transfer case to
LOW(Y page 110).
REngage the differential locks, if necessary
RRestrict the shift range to 1 or
(Y page 112).
2(Y page 93).
RAvoid high engine speeds. REnter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
RDrive slowly and at a constant speed
through the water.
RDo not stop and do not switch off the
engine.
RWater offers a high degree of resistance, the ground is slippery and, in some cases, unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and dan- gerous to pull away in the water.
REnsure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
RClean any mud from the tyre tread after
fording.
RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Driving tips
105
After fording
X Pull clamp : upwards. X Remove rubber plug ;.
The water runs out of the drain holes.
X Wipe up any remaining water with a cloth. X Press rubber plug ; back into the drain
hole.
X Fold down clamp : and press it down. When fording, waves can form which may result in water entering the footwells. You can drain off the water by opening drain holes in the footwells.
Winter driving General notes 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. G WARNING If you have fitted snow chains to the front wheels, they may scrape against the vehicle
body or chassis components. This could cause damage to the vehicle or the tyres. There is a risk of an accident. To avoid hazardous situations: Rnever fit snow chains on the front wheels Rfit snow chains to the rear wheels in pairs.
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle win- terproofed at a qualified specialist workshop. Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 176).
Driving with summer tyres Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 176).
Slippery road surfaces 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. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip- pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera- tion, steering and braking manoeuvres. If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed: X Move the transmission to position N. X Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 176).
106 Driving tips
Off-road driving Important safety notes G WARNING If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of an accident. When driving up an incline, drive into the line of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight line) and do not turn.
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water, possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get into the brakes. This may lead to a reduction in braking performance or total brake failure as a result of increased wear. The braking characteristics will vary, depending on the substances that get into the brakes. Clean the brakes after driving off-road. If you notice grinding noises or a reduction in braking per- formance, have the brake system checked at a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Adapt your driving style to the altered braking characteristics. Driving off-road increases the possibility of damage to the vehicle, which may cause assemblies or systems to fail. Adapt your driving style to the conditions of the terrain. Drive carefully. Have vehicle damage rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work- shop. Observe the following when on hilly roads: RDo not shift the transmission to position
N.
RIf the gradient is too steep for your vehicle,
back up in reverse gear.
RDo not continuously depress the brake
pedal, as doing so could cause you to lose control.
General notes H Environmental note Protection of the environment is of primary importance. Treat nature with respect. Observe all prohibiting signs.
Read this section before driving your vehicle off-road. Practise by travelling over more gen- tle off-road terrain first. The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving: RTransfer case (Y page 110) RDifferential locks (Y page 111) Observe the following notes: Rstop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW(Y page 110) before driving off-road.
Rengage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 112).
i When the differential locks are engaged, ABS and BAS are deactivated. This allows the front wheels to lock briefly, so that they can dig into a loose surface. However, please note that locked wheels skid and can no longer steer.
RMake sure that items of luggage and loads
are stowed safely and are well secured (Y page 134).
RTo avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure there is always sufficient ground clearance. RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a downhill gradient.
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear
when driving on a slope.
RDrive slowly and evenly, if necessary at
walking pace.
REnsure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
RDrive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route.
RCheck the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
RWhen fording, do not stop and do not
switch off the engine.
RLook out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
RAlways keep the doors, the rear door and the windows closed while the vehicle is in motion.
RDo not stray from marked routes or paths. RMatch your speed to the terrain. The
rougher, steeper or more ruts on the ter- rain, the slower your speed should be. RDrive slowly and at a constant speed
through the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive.
ROn sand, drive quickly to overcome the roll- ing resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.
RDo not jump with the vehicle as this will
interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
RAvoid high engine speeds. Drive at appro-
priate engine speeds.
RAlways check the vehicle for damage after
off-road driving.
i Information about retrofitting special all- terrain tyres is available from any qualified specialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv- ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra- dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road ! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up during the journey, stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as is possible. Check the engine oil level. The warning given by the engine oil warning light must not be ignored. Continuing your journey when the symbol is shown may result in engine dam- age.
Driving tips
107
X Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary. Only then does the engine receive enough oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep incline.
X Tyre-change tool kit: check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a fold- ing spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/tyres.
X Replace any missing valve caps. X Replace dented or damaged wheels. X Carry a sound spare wheel.
Checklist after driving off-road Driving over rough terrain places greater demands on your vehicle than driving on nor- mal roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and other road users. X Shift the transfer case to
HIGH(Y page 110).
X Disengage the differential locks
(Y page 113).
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear licence plates. X Clean the wheels and tyres with a water jet
and remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, tyres, wheel arches and
the vehicle underside with a water jet; check for any foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These increase the risk of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bel- lows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.
108 Driving tips
X After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tyres, brakes, bodywork structure, steering, chassis and exhaust system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty conditions, have the brake discs, wheels, brake pads/linings and axle joints checked and cleaned.
X If you notice strong vibrations after off-road
driving, check for foreign objects in the wheels and drive train and, if necessary, remove them. Foreign objects can disturb the balance and cause vibrations.
Driving on sand Observe the following rules when driving on sand: RShift the transfer case to
LOW(Y page 110).
RAvoid high engine speeds. RLimit the shift range of the automatic trans-
mission according to the off-road condi- tions.
RDrive quickly to overcome the rolling resist- ance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.
RDrive in the tracks of other vehicles if pos-
sible. When doing so, make sure that:
the tyre ruts are not too deep the sand is firm enough
- your vehicle has sufficient ground clear-
ance
Tyre ruts and gravel roads ! Check that the ruts are not too deep and that your vehicle has sufficient clearance. Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or bottom out and get stuck.
Observe the following rules when driving along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose gravel:
RShift the transfer case to
LOW(Y page 110).
RAvoid high engine speeds. RObserve the safety notes (Y page 106) and the general notes (Y page 106) on off-road driving.
RRestrict the shift range of the automatic
transmission to 1(Y page 93).
RDrive slowly. RWhere ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels on one side on the middle section of turf if possible.
Driving over obstacles ! Obstacles could damage the floor of the vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask passengers for guidance when driving over large obstacles. Any damage to the vehicle always increases the risk of an accident. ! Drive with particular care when driving over an obstacle while driving up or down a steep slope. The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide sideways or tip over.
Observe the following rules when driving over tree stumps, large stones and other obsta- cles: RObserve the safety notes (Y page 106) and the general notes (Y page 106) on off-road driving.
RShift the transfer case to
LOW(Y page 110).
RAvoid high engine speeds. RRestrict the shift range to 1(Y page 93). Rmake sure that you have enough ground clearance before driving across an obsta- cle.
RDrive very slowly. RTry to drive straight over the centre of obstacles: front wheel first, then rear wheel.
Driving tips
109
Travelling uphill Approach/departure angle
RDrive slowly. RAccelerate gently and make sure that the
wheels are gripping.
RAvoid high engine speeds, except when driving on sandy and muddy routes with high driving resistance.
RUse the braking power of the engine when driving down a slope. Observe the engine speed; do not overrev the engine.
RSelect a shift range appropriate to the gra-
dient.
The table shows front approach/departure angles : and rear approach/departure angles ; at maximum load. This information only provides an indication. The respective approach and departure angles vary accord- ing to the vehicle tyres and optional equip- ment.
Panel van Station wagon Chassis cab (vehicles with 12 V electrical system) Chassis cab (vehicles with 24 V electrical system) 6x6 chassis cab with crewcab
35° 35° 44°
31° 31° 32°
44°
36°
41°
35°
RObserve the safety notes (Y page 106) and the general notes (Y page 106) on off-road driving.
RFollow the line of fall when driving on slopes
and steep inclines.
RBefore driving on extreme uphill and down-
hill gradients, shift the transfer case to LOW(Y page 110).
REngage the differential locks, if necessary
(Y page 112).
RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Y page 93).
RAlways check the brakes after driving off-
road.
Maximum gradient-climbing capability On good road surfaces and with the LOW gear selected, the maximum gradient-climbing capability is 80%.
Hilltops When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly reduce pressure on the accelerator immedi- ately before reaching the brow of the hill. Make use of the vehicle's own impetus to travel over the brow. This style of driving prevents: Rthe vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
Rloss of traction Rthe vehicle from travelling too quickly down
the other side.
Driving downhill RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1(Y page 93). This way you use the engine's braking effect to reduce the speed. If this is not sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,
110 Off-road driving systems
make sure that the vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of fall.
RObserve the notes on driving in mountain-
ous terrain (Y page 109).
RDrive slowly. RDo not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive with the front wheels aligned straight. Oth- erwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and overturn.
RCheck that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
Off-road driving systems Transfer case General notes The vehicle has permanent all-wheel drive. The front and rear axles are constantly driven. For further information on driving off-road, see (Y page 106).
Shift ranges G WARNING If you do not wait for the transfer case gear change process to complete, the transfer case could remain in the neutral position. The power transmission to the driven wheels is then interrupted. There is a danger of the vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is a risk of an accident. Wait until the transfer case shift process is completed.
Do not turn off the engine while changing gear and do not shift the automatic transmission to another gear.
HIGH Position for all normal on-road driv- ing conditions. LOW Low-range position for driving off- road. Also for use on steep uphill or downhill gradients, especially when towing a trailer. ! When the transfer case is in the
off-road driving position LOW range, the automatic transmis- sion does not shift up, even when the engine has reached the over- revving limit. There is then a risk of engine damage. Make sure that you do not exceed the max- imum permissible engine speed. The vehicle travels around half the speed of on-road driving range HIGH. The tractive power is corre- spondingly higher. Neutral Neutral position No power is transmitted to the drive wheels.
Shifting the transfer case Important safety notes G WARNING When the transfer case is in the neutral posi- tion, power transmission to the driven wheels is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle could roll away. There is a risk of an accident. Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it with a device such as a wheel chock.
General notes The transfer case switches are on the control panel on the centre console.
Off-road driving systems
111
Once the shifting procedure has been com- pleted, the LOW indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
If a shifting procedure is unsuccessful, the transfer case shifts back into the neutral posi- tion. The LOW indicator lamp in the instru- ment cluster then flashes once per second. Shifting to neutral X Turn the key to position 2(Y page 87) in the
ignition lock.
X Apply the parking brake. X Depress the brake pedal. X Move the selector lever to N(Y page 91). X Press the LOW switch for approximately
five seconds. When the shift procedure is complete, the LOW indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter flashes once per second.
i If the transfer case is in neutral, the key is in the ignition lock and you open the driv- er's door, a warning tone sounds.
Differential locks General notes ! To prevent damage to the transfer case, you may only operate the vehicle on a roller dynamometer (single-axle roller dynamom- eter) if: Rthe axle that is not being driven is raised.
or
Rthe corresponding propeller shaft is dis- connected and the transfer case differ- ential lock is engaged.
Otherwise, the transfer case can be dam- aged. Differential locks improve the traction of the vehicle.
Activating the off-road gear ratio ! Only carry out the gear selection if:
Rthe engine is running. Rthe vehicle is rolling. Rthe automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
Ryou are driving at less than 40 km/h. You could otherwise damage the transfer case.
X Press the LOW switch on the control panel.
During the shifting procedure, the LOW indicator lamp flashes three times per sec- ond in the instrument cluster. Once the shifting procedure has been com- pleted, the LOW indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating off-road gear ratio ! Only carry out the gear selection if:
Rthe engine is running. Rthe vehicle is rolling. Rthe automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
Ryou are driving at less than 70 km/h. You could otherwise damage the transfer case.
X Press the HIGH transfer case switch on the
control panel. During the shifting procedure, the LOW indicator lamp flashes three times per sec- ond in the instrument cluster.
112 Off-road driving systems
