290 Cleaning and care Clean the light-alloy wheels regularly. In addition, observe the notes in the "High- pressure cleaning" section ( Y page 288). your driving style to the altered braking con- ditions. The following vehicle parts in particular must be cleaned: After driving off-road or on a construc- tion site R lighting system R windows R exterior mirrors ! Only direct the compressed-air, steam or water jet towards the radiator surface in a vertical direction. Ensure that the radiator fins are not damaged. Remove any dirt from the radiator fins. Damaged or dirty radiator fins can cause the engine to overheat.
If there is a loss of coolant or damage to the cooling and heating system, have it checked at a qualified specialist workshop. R access steps and entrances R tyres, wheels and wheel arches R grab handles R steering, axles and brakes Maintenance and care R suspension elements and chassis frame R licence plate R radiator, engine and transmission Foreign bodies that have become trapped can be expelled during the journey, e.g stones in the tyre tread. Check the tyres for foreign bodies that have become trapped after every journey off-road or on a construction site and before journeys on public roads. Remove any trapped foreign bodies.
Dirt and mud on the tyres and on the road surface reduce road grip, particularly if the road surface is wet. This could cause your vehicle to skid. Dirt and mud on steps and door sills make them less safe to tread on. This could cause you to slip from the steps and injure yourself. Always clean your vehicle carefully after every journey off-road or on a construction site and before journeys on public roads. When driving off-road, dirt, sand, mud and water mixed with oil, for example, can soil the brakes. This can lead to reduced braking per- formance or to total failure of the brakes, also from increased wear.
The braking character- istics change depending on the material that has penetrated. Clean the brakes after driving off-road. If you then notice grinding noises or a reduction in braking performance, have the brake system checked at a qualified special- ist workshop as quickly as possible. Adapt X Remove any trapped foreign bodies, e.g. stones. After operation in mud, sand, water or after exposure to similar dirty conditions: X Clean brake discs, brake linings, wheels and axle joints and check them for damage. X If necessary, lubricate the axle joints (observe the information in the Mainte- nance Booklet). X Test the brakes. Chassis and underbody protection !
To maintain a high level of anti-corrosion protection you must observe the following: R do not wash the vehicle until the fourth week after delivery. R when washing the chassis and under- body with a high-pressure cleaner, ensure that the water temperature is not set above 40 † and the spray pressure does not exceed 30 bar. R do not use rapeseed oil, petrol, diesel or other solvents for cleaning. They can cause the dual-layer protection to dis- solve or peel off. R only use a pH-neutral cleaner, not alka- line or acidic products.