2002 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 205

Instruments and controls Operation Driving Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Driving instructions Off-Road driving Familiarize yourself with the vehicle characteristics and gear changing before you attempt any difficult terrain off-road driving. We recommend that you start out with easy off-road travel. Please read this chapter carefully before you begin off-road travel. Special driving features are available for specific kinds of operation: • LOW RANGE mode, see page 227 • LOW RANGE - ABS, see page 220 • LOW RANGE - 4-ETS+, see page 222 • LOW RANGE - ESP, see page 226 Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driving under off-road conditions. For switching LOW RANGE mode on and off see page 227. Fasten items being carried as securely as possible, see page 154. We recommend to keep doors, liftgate, windows, and roof closed whenever driving in off-road mode. 202 Important! Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain. The more uneven, rutty and steeper the terrain, the lower the speed should be. Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes, tree-stumps, ruts. Be especially careful when driving in unknown territory. Eventually get out of the vehicle and scout the path you intend to take. Continuous and speedy driving in sandy soil overcomes the vehicle rolling resistance, and helps to prevent the vehicle from sinking into the ground. Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It interrupts the forward momentum of the vehicle. Sand, dirt, mud and other material having friction property, can cause exceptional wear and tear as well as failure of the brakes. In this case the brakes may be less effective or even fail when you most need them. Always clean and check the brakes following each off-road trip.