Driving tips 211 Please be particularly careful that, if neces- sary, the regeneration block is activated in vehicles with low mounted exhaust pipes. X Challenging driving conditions, vehi- cles with Telligent ® automatic gear- shift: activate manual drive program M ( Y page 177). Undesired interruptions to the tractive power that may occur with automatic gear shifting are avoided. Rules for off-road driving G WARNING If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the steer- ing wheel may jerk out of your grip, causing injury to your hands. Always hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands. When driving over obstacles, you must expect steering forces to increase briefly and suddenly.
X Difficult terrain, vehicles with Telli- gent ® automatic gearshift: manually shift between gears. Fold out the clutch pedal ( Y page 181). Driving mode X All vehicles: only drive off-road with the engine running and a gear engaged. X Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is necessary in many situations. X Safely stow or secure any items of luggage or loads. X Do not declutch or change gear on hills. X Secure bulk material (e.g. sand or gravel) with baffle plates or covers to prevent it slipping. X Always ensure that the wheels remain in contact with the ground. X Exercise the utmost caution when driving across unfamiliar, unpredictable terrain.
For reasons of safety, first get out of the vehicle and inspect the terrain. X Close side and back windows ( Y page 60), ( Y page 61). X Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and engage a low gear. X If necessary, activate the differential locks ( Y page 190). X Watch out for obstacles such as rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts. X Activate the ABS off-road program ( Y page 164). X Do not deviate from marked tracks or paths. Do not shift into neutral while driving on mountainous terrain or declutch. You could lose control of the vehicle while trying to brake with the service brake only. If your vehi- cle is not able to cope with the gradient, drive backwards in reverse gear.
Vehicles with Telligent ® automatic gear- shift, when automatic drive program is selected: G WARNING If the engine revs drop below the minimum engine speed, the electronics automatically disengage the clutch. This interrupts the transmission of power. The vehicle may, for example, roll backwards on gradients. There is a risk of an accident. Never let the engine revs drop below the min- imum engine speed. Driving on inclines G WARNING If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of an accident.
When driving up an incline, drive into the line of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight line) and do not turn. All vehicles: ! Only engage the differential locks if there is equal traction on all wheels. You could otherwise damage the differential locks. Z