Mercedes-Benz ML320. Manual — part 94

203

Operation

Driving instructions

The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and
limits the torque for the front wheels by
braking them. Simultaneously the
torque for the rear wheels is increased.

Driving across a hilltop

앫

Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do
not select gear range N), to prevent the
vehicle from speeding up too much af-
ter climbing a hill.

Use the momentum of the vehicle to
drive across the hilltop.

Driving in this manner prevents the ve-
hicle from jumping across the hilltop
and thus loosing its forward momen-
tum.

Driving downhill

앫

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (

컄

page 121).

앫

Drive downhill observing the same
rules as driving uphill (

컄

page 202).

앫

The special LOW RANGE – ABS setting
allows for precise and brief (cyclical)
blocking of the front wheels, permitting
them to dig into loose ground.

Remember that the front wheels when
stopped, slide across a surface, thus
loose their ability to steer the vehicle.

Driving through water

1 20 in (50 cm)

앫

Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth.

It should not be deeper than approxi-
mately 20 inches (50 cm).

Make sure you check the water bed.
The ground surface may not be firm
which may result in deeper waters than
expected when driving the vehicle
through it.

앫

Switch to LOW RANGE mode before
driving through water (

컄

page 125).

204

Operation

Driving instructions

앫

Switch off the exterior lamps as well as
the climate control.

앫

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (

컄

page 121).

앫

Enter the water only at a shallow spot,
driving at walking speed.

앫

Do not stop vehicle while immersed in
water, and do not shut off the engine.

There is a very high level of driving re-
sistance in water. The surface is slip-
pery and may not be firm, making
pulling away in water difficult and dan-
gerous.

앫

Clean mud off the tire tread after driv-
ing through water.

앫

To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the
brake pedal several times after leaving
the water.

Crossing obstacles

!

Never accelerate before driving into
the water. The bow wave could force
water into the engine and auxiliary
equipment, thus damaging them.

!

Obstacles can damage the vehicle
undercarriage or suspension compo-
nents. If possible use the assistance of
a second person outside the vehicle to
scout the path you intend to take and
check for adequate ground clearance
when you cross obstacles with your ve-
hicle. The person assisting you outside
the vehicle should always be a safe dis-
tance away from the vehicle and posi-
tioned so that he or she cannot get hurt
in case of any unexpected vehicle
movement.

After off-road driving or crossing obsta-
cles, inspect vehicle for any damage,
especially vehicle undercarriage and
suspension components. Failure to do
so can adversely affect the vehicle's fu-
ture performance, including increased
chance of an accident.

205

Operation

Driving instructions

앫

Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.

앫

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (

컄

page 121).

앫

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.

Ruts

A number of off-road tracks or other by-
ways have deep ruts which can cause the
undercarriage to come in contact with the
ground.

앫

Select gear range 1 on the automatic
transmission (

컄

page 121).

앫

Drive next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.

Returning from off-road driving

!

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.

Warning!

G

If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the roadway.

Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire
dealer for repairs.

206

Operation

Driving instructions

Off-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.

We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.

Proceed as follows:

앫

Switch off the LOW RANGE mode
(

컄

page 125).

앫

Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.

For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.

앫

Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.

앫

Check tires for possible damage, clean
all exterior lamps, and conduct a brake
test.

앫

Check for brush or branches caught in
the undercarriage.

They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and /or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.

앫

After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.

Trailer towing

Warning!

G

Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.

Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions contained in this guide can result
in serious injury. Follow the guidelines be-
low carefully to assure safe trailer operation.

Ask your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center should you require an explana-
tion of information contained in this guide.