Off-road fording


- Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
- Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
Select the highest possible vehicle level.
- Restrict the shift range to 1 or 2.
- Avoid high engine speeds.
- Enter and exit the water at a flat place and at a steady walking pace.
Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
- Drive slowly and at an even speed through
the water.
- Do not stop.
Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior
equipment.
- Water offers a high degree of resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
- Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
- Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
- Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
See also:
Important safety notes
WARNING
Air bags are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
• frontal impacts (driver's and frontpassenger front air bags)
• side impacts (side i ...
Problems with the steering wheel
heating
The steering wheel heating has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
- S ...
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
• a door
• the vehicle with the mechanical key
• the tailgate
• the hood
The alarm is not switched off, even if ...
