Driving tips
Running-in
It is of decisive importance for the operating life, reliability and economy of the vehicle that the engine is not subjected to its full rated load during the running-in period.
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Run the vehicle in carefully. Drive at varying road and engine speeds.
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Avoid heavy loads (driving at full throttle) and high engine speeds. Do not exceed 3/ 4 of the maximum speed available for each gear.
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Change gear in good time.
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Do not change down a gear manually in order to brake.
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Avoid depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point on vehicles with an automatic transmission (kickdown), and only engage gear 3, 2 or 1 while driving slowly.
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Observe these instructions even when the engine, the transmission or the rear axle differential of your vehicle were replaced.
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Driving abroad
An extensive network of Mercedes-Benz Service Centres is also at your disposal when you are travelling abroad. The workshop directories are available from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
In some countries, only fuels with a higher sulphur content are available.
You will find information about fuel in the “Service products” section more.
Mercedes-Benz recommends fitting a fuel filter with water separator if the vehicle is mainly operated in countries with high water content in the diesel fuel.
When driving in countries in which traffic drives on the opposite side of the road to the country where the vehicle is registered, the headlamps must be partially masked.
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Masking the headlamps incorrectly can impair your visibility when driving with the headlamps switched on. You could also impede other road users. Oncoming traffic may be dazzled.
Always have the headlamps masked/switched over at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. All work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
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Driving off-road
When driving the vehicle, particularly on rough terrain, ensure that the driven wheels always have sufficient traction.
Do not allow the driven wheels to spin (risk of damage to the differential). Engage the differential lock.
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Always observe the ground clearance of the vehicle and avoid obstacles if possible. Obstacles, such as deep ruts for example, could damage the following:
You should therefore always drive slowly off-road. If you have to drive over obstacles, the co-driver should guide the driver.
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| Risk of accident |
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If you drive too fast off-road, you may not recognise obstacles in good time or you may underestimate the roughness of the ground. Always drive slowly off-road to avoid damaging the vehicle.
The vehicle may slip to the side, tip over or roll over. Always drive along the line of fall when you are on a slope. Never drive across a slope. Never turn the vehicle round on a slope. If the vehicle loses its grip on an uphill slope, reverse back down the slope.
You could lose control of the vehicle if you change to neutral while driving on a hill, or if you release the clutch and try to brake only by using the service brake. Never let the vehicle coast.
If you carry too much payload on the vehicle, you increase the risk of the vehicle tipping over. Never exceed the permissible axle loads. Keep the vehicle’s centre of gravity as low as possible when you load the vehicle.
If the vehicle is frequently driven on muddy or marshy terrain, sand or oil mixed with water could get into the brakes, impairing braking performance. This may lead to excessive wear and reduced braking power. In an emergency, there is a risk that full braking performance is no longer be available.
After driving off-road, always carry out a short brake test. If you detect a reduction in braking performance or you hear scraping noises, have the brake system checked at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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| Risk of injury |
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Driving on rough terrain causes acceleration forces to act from all directions on your body. There is the risk that you may be thrown from your seat and injured. Always fasten your seat belt when driving off-road.
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Construction site vehicles are specially adapted to off-road conditions.
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Rules for driving off-road
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If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the steering wheel may jerk out of your grip and you could injure the thumbs on both hands. Always hold the steering wheel rim firmly with both hands. When driving over obstacles, you must expect steering forces to increase briefly and suddenly.
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Before driving off-road, stop and select a low gear.
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When driving off-road, always drive with the engine running and a gear engaged.
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Drive slowly and evenly. Many situations require you to drive at walking pace.
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Always make sure that the wheels are in contact with the ground. Engage the transfer case and the differential locks.
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Drive with extreme care over unknown terrain where you can only see for a short distance. As a precaution, step out of the vehicle beforehand to get an overview of the terrain.
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Before fording, check the water depth.
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Look out for obstacles, e.g. rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts.
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Avoid banks where the ground could crumble away.
Before driving off-road
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All-wheel-drive vehicles: engage the differential lock more and switch the transfer case to the off-road position more.
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Engage the differential lock more.
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Deactivate the anti-lock braking system (ABS) more.
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Stow away or lash down items of luggage or payload safely more.
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The following additional equipment should always be carried on board the vehicle:
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After driving off-road
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Damage caused to the vehicle when driving off-road may cause consequential damage, the failure of mechanical assemblies as well as accidents. Clean and inspect the vehicle after any off-road use. Repair any damage before using the vehicle again.
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All-wheel-drive vehicles: disengage the differential lock more and switch the transfer case to the on-road position more.
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Disengage the differential lock more.
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Activate the anti-lock braking system (ABS) more.
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Clean the vehicle more.
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Inspect the vehicle for damage.
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Rail transport
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be subject to certain restrictions or require special measures to be taken in some countries due to varying tunnel heights and loading standards.
You may obtain information about this from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption depends on:
Observe the advice in the “ Protection of the environment” section to keep fuel consumption low more.
The following vehicle version factors also affect fuel consumption:
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Tyre sizes, tyre tread, tyre pressure, tyre condition
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Body, wind deflector
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Drive unit transmission ratios
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Additional equipment (e.g. air-conditioning system, auxiliary heating system).
Therefore, it is not possible to specify the fuel consumption of an individual vehicle.
AdBlue consumption
AdBlue comsumption is approximately 4 to 5 % of fuel consumption.
Engine oil consumption
Once the engine has been run in, oil consumption may correspond to up to 0.5% of actual fuel consumption. Driving longer distances and under arduous conditions can cause this value to be exceeded on some vehicles.
Regular maintenance is one of the preconditions for moderate rates of consumption.
The engine oil consumption can only be judged after a lengthy distance has been covered.
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis, e.g. weekly or each time you refuel more.
