Mercedes-Benz 2004 ML 500 - Manual (Page 201)

201
Operation
Driving instructions
Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:
ț LOW RANGE mode ( ୴ page 125)
ț LOW RANGE – ABS ( ୴ page 77)
ț LOW RANGE – 4-ETS ( ୴ page 80)
ț LOW RANGE – ESP ( ୴ page 81)
Off-road driving rules
Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driv-
ing under off-road conditions
(
୴ page 125).
Fasten items being carried as securely as
possible (
୴ page 157).
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.
i
We recommend keeping doors, liftgate,
windows, and sliding/pop-up roof*
closed whenever driving in off-road
mode.
!
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 Before driving through water, deter-
mine is depth.
ț Do not stop vehicle while immersed
in water, and do not shut off the
engine.
ț In sandy soil, please drive at a
steady speed as allowed by condi-
tions. This helps overcome the vehi-
cle rolling resistance and reduces
the likelihood of the vehicle 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.