tires MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS 2020 MY20 Operator’s Manual

vehicle. This also includes labeling and docu-
mentation affected by their modifications.
It is their responsibility to certify that:
R the altered vehicle conforms to all applica-
ble standards and regulations affected by
the vehicle alteration
R the altered vehicle continues to comply with
the motor vehicle safety standards and
emissions regulations
R the changes or installation of accessories do
not impair the safety of the vehicle
We are not responsible for any final certifica-
tion or claims regarding product liability or
warranty claims that arise as a result of such
changes. This applies to:
R components, assemblies or systems which
have been altered
R non-compliance with emissions laws and
regulations or with vehicle safety standards
arising as a result of the alterations
R all consequences resulting form the
changed, less safe or even defective vehicle
We do not assume responsibility as the final
stage manufacturer or the consequential prod-
uct liability.
Notes on the engine radiator Even seemingly small changes to the vehicle,
such as attaching a radiator trim for winter
driving or as protection against insects, are
not permitted. Do not cover the radiator. Do
not use thermal mats, insect protection covers
or anything similar.
Doing so can cause the diagnostics system to
display inaccurate values. Some of these val-
ues are legally required and must always be
correct.
Notes for commercial vehicles without
partitions Vehicles, which are approved as commercial
vehicles (N1), do not comply with the
ISO 27956
standard in the respective current
valid version unless equipped with a partition.
The ISO 27956 Standard details the equip-
ment for correct load securing in delivery vehi-
cles. Retrofitting the partition is strongly rec-
ommended when using the vehicle for the
transport of goods, as correct load securing in
vehicles without the partition is difficult to
achieve. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
! Air bags and Emergency Tensioning Devi-
ces, as well as control units and sensors for
these restraint systems, may be installed in
the following areas of your vehicle:
R doors
R door pillars
R door sills
R seats
R cockpit
R instrument cluster
R center console
Do not install accessories such as audio sys-
tems in these areas. Do not carry out
repairs or welding. You could impair the
operating efficiency of the restraint sys-
tems.
Have aftermarket accessories installed at a
qualified specialist workshop. H
Environmental note
We supply reconditioned assemblies and
parts which are of the same quality as new
parts. The same New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty applies as for new parts.
The operating safety of the vehicle could be
jeopardized if you use parts, tires and wheels
as well as accessories relevant to safety which
have not been approved by Mercedes-Benz.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rele-
vant systems, e.g. the brake system. Only use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of equal
quality. Only use tires, wheels and accessories
that have been specifically approved for your
vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts, conversion parts and accessories that
have been specifically approved for the type of
vehicle for:
R Reliability
R Safety
R Suitability
Despite ongoing market research, Mercedes-
Benz is unable to assess other parts. Even if
an independent or official approval has been
provided in exceptional cases, Mercedes-Benz
accepts no responsibility for the use of such
parts in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. 34
Introduction

Child-proof lock for sliding door
Sliding door (example: left side of the vehicle)
: Child safety bolt
2 Sliding door released
3 Sliding door secured – then make sure
that the child-proof locks are working
properly.
You can secure each sliding door individually
with the child-proof locks on the sliding doors.
A secured sliding door cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle. When the vehicle is
unlocked, the sliding door can be opened from
the outside. If the electric sliding door is
secured, only the sliding door rear controls are
deactivated. If the electric sliding door is
unlocked, you can open the electric sliding
door using the corresponding Å or Æ
sliding door button in the center console
(Y page
79). Pets in the vehicle
G
WARNING
If you leave animals unsupervised or unse-
cured in the vehicle, they may press buttons
or switches, for instance.
In this way, animals may:
R activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
R switch systems on or off and thereby
endanger other road users
Furthermore, unsecured animals may be
flung around inside the vehicle in the event
of an accident or abrupt steering or braking maneuver, and thereby injure vehicle occu-
pants. There is a risk of accident and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle.
Always secure animals properly when driv-
ing, for instance with a suitable pet carrier. Driving safety systems
Overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake A ssist System)
R ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to the
vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, braking in
good time and for staying in your lane. Always
adapt your driving style to the prevailing road
and weather conditions and maintain a suffi-
cient, safe distance from other road users.
Drive carefully.
Please note that the driving safety systems
described only work optimally when the follow-
ing conditions are fulfilled:
R there is adequate contact between the tires
and the road surface.
R you use winter tires

(M+S tires) with snow
chains if necessary, when the road condi-
tions are wintry.
R the speed information determined by the
vehicle is within the legally prescribed dis-
play accuracy.
Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tires, tire tread and winter operation
under "Wheels and tires" (Y page 278). 66
Driving safety systems
Safety

EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
General notes EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
to the rear wheels. This enables EBD to
improve handling during braking.
Important safety notes Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system
(Y page 66).G
WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases
the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving
style to the different handling characteris-
tics. Have the brake system checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If EBD is malfunctioning, the $ warning
lamp

(Y page 229) lights up while the engine
is running and the display shows a message:
R on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page 199)
R on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 213)
Other driving systems and driving safety sys-
tems then also fail. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes ESP
®
monitors driving stability and detects a
tendency of the vehicle to understeer or over-
steer (skidding) in good time. If ESP ®
detects
that the vehicle is deviating from the direction
desired by the driver, one or more wheels are
braked to stabilize the vehicle. The engine out-
put is also modified to keep the vehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP ®
can
also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ESP ®
also monitors traction, i.e. power trans-
mission between the tires and the road sur-
face. The integrated traction control supports
you when pulling away or accelerating on wet,
slippery or slick roads. Should the drive
wheels spin, traction control brakes them indi- vidually. In addition, greater drive torque is
transmitted to the wheel or wheels with trac-
tion. If traction on the road surface is not suffi-
cient, even ESP
®
will not allow you to pull
away without difficulty. The type of tires and
total weight of the vehicle as well as the gradi-
ent of the road also play a crucial role. Trac-
tion control remains active if you deactivate
ESP ®
.
If the h warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out before beginning the journey,
ESP ®
is automatically active.
The h warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes when ESP ®
intervenes:
X do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
X adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Important safety notes Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system (
Y page

66). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning it will not provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an
increased risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Do not run the vehicle on a roller dyna-
mometer (e.g. for performance tests). If you
must operate the vehicle on a roller dyna-
mometer, please consult a qualified special-
ist workshop in advance. You could other-
wise damage the drive train or the brake
system.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the h warning
lamp

(Y page 230) lights up continuously
while the engine is running and the display
shows a message.
R on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page 200)
R on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 214) 68
Driving safety systems
Safety

Key positions
g
To insert/remove the key, to lock the
steering wheel
1 To unlock the steering wheel, power sup-
ply for some consumers (e.g. the radio)
2 To switch on the ignition, power supply for
all consumers, preglow and drive position
3 To start the engine
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How-
ever, the ignition will not be switched on.
The engine cannot be started. Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior X
In particular, check the following compo-
nents on the vehicle, and on the trailer as
necessary:
R
license plates, vehicle lighting, turn sig-
nals, brake lamps and wiper blades for
dirt and damage
R tires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
R trailer tow hitch for play and security
The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to
road safety. Observe the notes on opera-
tion, care and maintenance of the trailer
tow hitch (see the manufacturer's operat-
ing instructions).
X Rectify any noticeable defects before com-
mencing the journey. Checks in the vehicle Emergency equipment/first-aid kit
X Check the equipment to make sure that it is
accessible, complete and ready for use.
The first aid and breakdown assistance equip-
ment is located:
R in the front door stowage compartments
R in the seat base of the left front seat
R in the rear stowage compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle
(Y page 270)
Vehicle lighting
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Check the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
X Replace defective bulbs (Y page
105). Before driving off
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so
that they do not get into the driver's foot-
well. When using floormats or carpets, make
sure that they are properly secured so that
they do not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do
not place several floormats or carpets on
top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct
usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. Driving
127
Driving and parking Z

Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
X Disconnect the battery (Y page 260).
or X Connect the battery to a trickle charger.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging
the batteries

(Y page 262).
You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
6 weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could
affect, for example, the power steering and
the brake boosting effect. You will require
considerably more effort to steer and brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
Mobile communications equipment distracts
the driver from traffic conditions. In addi-
tion, the driver could lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
As a driver, use mobile communications
equipment only when the vehicle is at a
standstill.
As a vehicle occupant, use mobile communi-
cations equipment only in the designated
area, e.g. the rear passenger compartment. Observe the legal requirements of the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions
prohibit the driver from using a mobile phone
while driving a vehicle.
Always use the hands-free system for tele-
phoning while driving. Only use the telephone
if road traffic conditions permit. If this is not
the case, pull over to a safe location before
using the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately

50 km/h), your vehicle is cov-
ering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel In order to save fuel, observe the following
tips:
X The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not nee-
ded.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service inter-
val display.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving
in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
mountainous terrain.
Overrun cutoff If you are in overrun mode and take your foot
off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is cut
off when the engine speed is out of the idle
speed control range.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident is greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive. 140
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Emission control G
DANGER
Combustion engines emit poisonous
exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide.
Inhaling these exhaust gases is hazardous to
health and can result in poisoning. There is a
risk of fatal injury. Therefore, never leave the
engine running an enclosed space without
adequate ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous substances in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Any work on
the engine should therefore be carried out by
qualified and authorized Mercedes-Benz tech-
nicians.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. In addition, all spe-
cific maintenance work must be carried out at
regular intervals and in accordance with the
service requirements of the dealer listed here
on the inside title page. Details can be found
in the Maintenance Booklet. Speed limiter
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire burst-
ing. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe
the tire load rating and speed rating
required for your vehicle.
As the driver, you must be aware of the maxi-
mum design speed of the vehicle and the max-
imum permissible speed based on the tires
(tire and tire pressure). In particular, also observe the tire approval regulations for each
country.
You must not exceed the speed limit for the
tires indicated by the speed rating. The speed
rating is stated in the tire tables (Y page
302).
You can permanently limit the permissible
maximum speed of your vehicle, e.g. for driv-
ing on winter tires.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the maximum permissible speed programed at
a Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van Center.
Before overtaking, take into consideration that
the engine speed limiter prevents the speed
increasing beyond the programmed permissi-
ble maximum speed. Driving abroad
Service An extensive network of authorized Mercedes-
Benz Centers is also at your disposal when you
are traveling abroad. Nevertheless, please
bear in mind that service facilities or replace-
ment parts may not always be immediately
available. The relevant workshop directories
are available from any Mercedes-Benz Com-
mercial Van Center.
Fuel In some countries, only fuels with a higher sul-
fur content are available.
Unsuitable fuel can cause engine damage. You
will find information about fuel under "Service
products and capacities"

(Y page 306).
Low-beam headlamps General notes
When driving in countries in which traffic
drives on the opposite side of the road to the
country where the vehicle is registered, you
must switch the headlamps to symmetrical
low beam. This prevents oncoming traffic from
being blinded. Symmetrical low beam does not
illuminate as large an area of the edge of the
road. Driving tips
141
Driving and parking Z

of the journey. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Checking the brake pad thickness In addition to monitoring using the brake pad
wear sensor, regularly monitor and check all of
the brake pads by performing a visual inspec-
tion to look for pad material wear.
If you are unable to check the brake wear on
the inside of the wheels, remove the wheels
with the tools provided.
Make sure that the brake pad material thick-
ness never falls below
0.12 in (3 mm). Have
the brake pads checked and replaced at a
qualified specialist workshop, if necessary.
Do not solely rely on the brake pad wear sen-
sor.
It is strongly recommended that you have the
brake pads checked at a qualified specialist
workshop at every service displayed in the
maintenance interval indicator, prior to long
journeys and whenever the wheels are
removed.
New brake discs and brake pads/
linings New brake pads and brake discs only reach
their optimal braking effect after about
60 miles

(100 kilometers). Until then, compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only installing the following brake discs
and brake pads/linings:
R brake discs that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
R brake pads/linings that have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz or are of an equivalent
standard of quality
Other brake discs or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs or brake pads/
linings on an axle at the same time and only
have them replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop. When replacing the brake discs,
always have the brake pads/linings replaced
at the same time. Parking brake G
WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the park-
ing brake, the braking distance is considera-
bly longer and the wheels could lock. There
is an increased danger of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered sur-
faces, road salt and/or dirt may get into the
parking brake. This causes corrosion and a
reduction of braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time. When
doing so, drive for a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of
12 mph (20 km/h

).
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake. Driving in wet conditions
Hydroplaning G
WARNING
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread depth, depending on
the depth of water on the road. There is a
risk of an accident.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as fol-
lows:
R reduce your speed
R avoid tire ruts
R apply the brakes with care Driving tips
143
Driving and parking Z

Driving on flooded roads
!
Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water could enter the
vehicle interior or engine compartment. It
can then damage the engine's or automatic
transmission's electronic components. It
can also be sucked in by the engine's air
intake connection and cause engine dam-
age.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in mind
that: R the water level of standing water should not
be above the lower edge of the front
bumper
R you must not drive faster than walking
speed Driving in winter
G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
! An accumulation of snow and ice, particu-
larly when frozen, caught in the area around
the air intake slots, moving parts, the axles
and the wheel arches may:
R restrict air intake
R damage vehicle parts
R cause malfunctions by restricting the
mobility intended by the design (e.g.
reduced possible steering input).
Regularly check the vehicle and remove
snow or ice when traveling in wintry condi-
tions.
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission may
only briefly coast in neutral position N.
Extended coasting of the wheels, e.g. when
towing, results in transmission damage. Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and brak-
ing maneuvers. Do not use cruise control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position i.
X Try to maintain control of the vehicle using
corrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially
in wooded areas or on bridges. If you do not
adjust your driving style, the vehicle may start
to skid. Always adapt your driving style and
drive at a speed to suit the prevailing weather
conditions.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
You can find further information under:
R "M+S tires" ( Y page
280)
R "Snow chains" (Y page 281)
R "Driving with summer tires" (Y page 280)
Also observe the notes under "Winter opera-
tion" (Y page 280). Driving off-road
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle. 144
Driving tips
Driving and parking

G
WARNING
When driving off-road, your body is subject
to forces from all directions, due to the
uneven surface. You could be thrown from
your seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Always wear a seat belt, even when driving
off-road. G
WARNING
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the
steering 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. G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system. There
is a risk of fire.
When driving on an unpaved road or off-
road, check the vehicle underside regularly.
In particular, remove trapped plant parts or
other flammable material. Contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately if dam-
age is detected.
! When driving off-road or on unpaved surfa-
ces, check the underside of the vehicle as
well as the wheels and tires at regular inter-
vals. In particular, remove trapped foreign
objects, such as stones and branches.
Such foreign objects could:
R damage the chassis, the fuel tank or the
brake system
R cause imbalance and thereby vibrations
R be thrown out as you continue your jour-
ney
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
When driving off-road and on construction
sites, sand, mud and water mixed with oil, for
example, may get into the brakes. This may
lead to a reduction in braking performance or
total brake failure, also as a result of increased wear. The braking characteristics will vary
depending on the material that has got into
the system. Clean the brakes after driving off-
road. If you then notice reduced braking per-
formance or hear scraping noises, have the
brake system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Adjust your driving style to the
changed braking characteristics.
Driving off-road or on construction sites
increases the possibility of vehicle damage
which may in turn lead to the failure of certain
assemblies and systems. Adapt your driving
style to the off-road driving conditions. Drive
carefully. Have any vehicle damage rectified at
a qualified specialist workshop as soon as pos-
sible.
When loading your vehicle for driving off-road
or on a construction site, keep the vehicle's
center of gravity as low as possible.
Rules for driving off-road !
Always bear the vehicle's ground clear-
ance in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts
of the vehicle:
R the chassis
R the drive train
R the fuel and supply tanks
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the front
passenger direct you.
i We recommend that you additionally carry
a shovel and a recovery rope with shackle in
the vehicle.
R Ensure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(Y page
242).
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R If the surface requires, temporarily deacti-
vate ESP ®
when pulling away (Y page 69).
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain in
contact with the ground. Driving tips
145
Driving and parking Z

R
Drive with extreme care over unknown ter-
rain where you can only see for a short dis-
tance. As a precaution, get out of the vehi-
cle to take a look at the route to be taken in
advance.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could crum-
ble or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on
your vehicle than normal road operation.
Check your vehicle after driving on rough ter-
rain. By doing so you will notice any damage in
good time and reduce the risk of an accident
for yourself and other road users. Clean your
vehicle thoroughly before driving on public
roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving
on public roads:
X Activate ESP ®
(Y page 69).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
X Clean the steps, door sills and grab handles.
This increases safety of footing.
X Clean the wheels/tires, wheel housings and
the underbody of the vehicle with a water
jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
X Check the wheels/tires and wheel housings
for trapped foreign objects and remove
them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels/tires and may be flung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
X Check the underbody for trapped branches
or other parts of plants and remove them.
Trapped branches or other parts of plants
increase the risk of fire and can cause dam- age to fuel lines, brake hoses and the rubber
bellows of axle joints and drive shafts.
X Clean the brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit/gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
X Check the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, steer-
ing, chassis and exhaust system for any
damage.
X Check the service brake for operating
safety, e.g. carry out a brake test.
X If you notice strong vibrations after driving
off-road, check the wheels and drive train
for foreign objects again. Remove any for-
eign objects which can lead to imbalances
and thus cause vibrations. Driving in mountainous areas
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude. Please take note of this
particularly when driving with a trailer in moun-
tainous areas.
The maximum permissible trailer loads are
valid for journeys at altitudes up to

1100 yds
(1000 m) above sea level with gradients up to
12%.
Information on maximum permissible trailer
loads can be found in your vehicle registration
papers and on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 304) or under "Trailer loads" ( Y page 315).
When driving at altitudes of 2700 yds
(2500 m) above sea level, the ECO start/stop
function is no longer available.
Notes on braking on downhill gradients can be
found in the "Braking" section (Y page 142). Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains the speed of the vehi-
cle for you. It brakes automatically in order to
avoid exceeding the set speed.146
Driving systems
Driving and parking