Mercedes-Benz 2003 M-Class - Manual (Page 187)

187
Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Tires
ț Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire pressure (see tire pres-
sure label inside the fuel filler flap).
ț Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
ț Replace missing valve caps.
Rims
ț Dented or bent rims can cause tire
pressure loss and damage the tire
beads. For this reason, check and, if
necessary, change rims before driving
off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
ț Check if the vehicle jack is functional.
ț In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
1 25° (ML 320, ML 350, ML 500)
21° (ML 55 AMG)
2 26°(ML 320, ML 350, ML 500)
23° (ML 55 AMG)
!
Observe the following during off-road
driving:
ț Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be
ț Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts.
ț Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.
ț Continuous and speedy driving in
sandy soil overcomes the vehicle
rolling resistance, and helps to pre-
vent the vehicle from sinking into
the ground.
ț Do not initiate jumps with the vehi-
cle. It interrupts the forward mo-
mentum of the vehicle.
ț Always drive onto slopes with the
the engine running and the vehicle
in gear.