Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2006 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 313)

312
Operation
Driving instructions
When driving over tree stumps, big rocks
and other obstacles, observe the following
rules:
ț Make sure the Off-road driving program
(
୴ page 248) is switched on.
ț Avoid high engine speeds.
ț Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (
୴ page 187).
ț Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.
ț Cross obstacles (e.g. tree stumps or
big rocks) very slowly by aiming one of
the front wheels at the center of the ob-
stacle, and repeat same with the rear
wheel.
Driving on sand
ț For vehicles with level control*, raise
the ride height (
୴ page 250) if neces-
sary.
ț Avoid high engine speeds.
ț Select the gear range on the automatic
transmission that is appropriate for the
terrain.
ț In sandy soil, drive at a steady speed as
allowed by conditions. This helps over-
come the vehicle rolling resistance and
reduce the likelihood of the vehicle
sinking into the ground.
ț Drive in tracks of other vehicles if they
are not too deep and if you have suffi-
cient clearance.
Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other by-
ways have deep ruts which can cause the
underbody to come in contact with the
ground.
ț Switch on the Off-road driving program
(
୴ page 248).
ț For vehicles with level control*, raise
the ride height (
୴ page 250) if neces-
sary.
ț Avoid high engine speeds.
ț Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (
୴ page 187).
ț Drive next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.
ț If the ruts are too deep to drive in, drive
with one side of the vehicle on the
grassy center strip if the route permits.
!
Special attention is needed when you
cross obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a
result of its possible slanted position
which in turn may result in the vehicle
tipping or rolling over.
!
Check that the ruts are not too deep
and your vehicle’s clearance is suffi-
cient. Otherwise:
ț your vehicle may be damaged.
ț the underbody of the vehicle may
come in contact with the ground
and you may get stuck.