Operating techniques and auxiliary systems (Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163)

Sports utility vehicles (SUVs), which include the Mercedes M-Class, are designed for use on both normal roads and off-road conditions. However, try to avoid driving the vehicle into deep water and mud.

When driving off-road, try to avoid obviously dangerous routes, and make sure that all people in the car are wearing seat belts.
Before starting an ascent or descent, make sure that there are no high bumps or deep holes on the route, and try to adequately assess the steepness of the slope.
Avoid driving across the slope - the car's center of gravity is quite high, which increases the risk of it overturning. Try to choose a route with a minimum incline - when the engine is stopped, it is much more difficult to control the speed of descent.
When going downhill, do not change gears - this is associated with the risk of losing control. Use engine braking, as the effectiveness of the foot brake may be reduced, which is fraught with the occurrence of an emergency situation.
If the engine stops while driving uphill, do not try to turn the car around under any circumstances! Move the selector lever to the "R" position and start descending, trying to move strictly parallel to the direction of the slope.

Attention! Never descend with the transmission in neutral ("N") position, holding the car with the brakes!

Excessive use of the brakes when driving downhill can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the brake mechanisms due to overheating. Try not to brake too hard - drive in a lower gear.
To avoid excessively raising the vehicle's center of gravity, try not to overload the roof rack, and ensure that the load placed in the vehicle is evenly distributed. Heavy objects should be placed in the luggage compartment as low as possible and as close to the passenger compartment as possible. Do not install larger wheels on the vehicle than permitted by regulatory requirements.
When driving off-road, hold the steering wheel by the rim, gripping it tightly with your fingers.
Before you start driving, remember to fasten your seat belt and make sure that all passengers are also fastened.
Don't forget to lay mats on the floor - the surface of the panels can become significantly hot.
To avoid the risk of losing control, try to reduce your speed in strong crosswinds.
Try to avoid wheel spin when accelerating, braking and maneuvering.
Avoid sharp turns whenever possible, especially when driving at high speeds. Remember that SUVs, due to their higher center of gravity, have significantly less rollover resistance than highway passenger cars.
Do not allow wheels of different sizes to be installed on the vehicle. All tires must be the same in diameter, width, and design (diagonal, diagonal-girdling or radial) and tread pattern. When driving on slippery road surfaces in mountainous areas, use anti-skid chains and drive extremely carefully.
Try not to park your car on a slope.
Remember that if your vehicle is regularly used in deep mud, sand or water, it should be serviced more frequently than specified in the Routine Maintenance Schedule (see Chapter Schedule of current maintenance).