2011 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 169

Driving tips G Warning! Rmake 167 G Warning! Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure before driving through sand. However, if you do so, remember to correct the tire inflation pressure before continuing your trip. Driving with reduced tire inflation pressure increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle and rolling over. General information Read this section before driving your vehicle off-road. Practice by traveling over more gentle off-road terrain first. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of your vehicle and the gear change process before driving through difficult terrain. The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving: Roff-road Roff-road drive program (Y page 193) ABS (Y page 66) Roff-road 4ETS (Y page 67) Roff-road ESP®(Y page 68) Rhill start assist RAIRMATIC package (Y page 183) RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) (Y page 192) Observe the following notes: Rstop your vehicle and, if necessary, select the off-road drive program (Y page 193) before driving off-road. Rvehicles with the AIRMATIC package: select a vehicle level that is suitable for the terrain. Make sure there is always sufficient ground clearance to prevent damage to the vehicle. Check list before driving off-road X Engine oil level: check the engine oil and top it up if necessary. The oil supply can only be guaranteed on steep slopes if the engine oil level is sufficient. ! If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion, stop the Z Driving and parking Vehicles with air suspension program: Please be aware that by raising the vehicle level, the center of gravity also rises. Therefore, always ensure that the vehicle level is as low as possible. With higher ride height the ESP® may activate earlier in certain situations. sure that items of luggage and cargo are stowed safely and are well secured (Y page 260). Ralways keep the engine running and in gear when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate DSR (Y page 192). Ralways keep the doors, tailgate, windows and the tilt/sliding sunroof closed while the vehicle is in motion. Radapt the speed to suit the terrain conditions. The more uneven, worn or steeper the terrain is, the slower you should drive. Rdrive slowly and at an even speed through the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive. Rdrive with extreme care on unfamiliar offroad routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route. Rlook out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes, tree stumps and furrows. Rcheck the depth of water before fording rivers and streams. Rdo not stop in water and do not switch the engine off. Rdrive quickly on sand to overcome the rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand. Rdo not jump with the vehicle. This interrupts the vehicle's traction. Ralways keep the engine running and in gear when driving on slopes. Rdo not shift the automatic transmission to transmission position N.