Read this section carefully before driving your vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more gentle off-road terrain first.

Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of your vehicle and the gear shift operation before driving through difficult terrain.

The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving:
- Off-road ABS
- AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
- DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)<>

Observe the following notes:
- Stop the vehicle before starting to drive along an off-road route.
- For vehicles with AIRMATIC package: select a vehicle level that is suitable for the off-road terrain. Make sure there is always sufficient ground clearance to prevent damage to the vehicle.
- Check that items of luggage and loads are stowed safely and are well secured.
- Always keep the engine running and in gear when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate DSR.
- Always keep the doors, tailgate, windows and sliding sunroof closed while driving.
- Adapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher, steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower your speed should be.
- Drive slowly and at an even speed through the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not form as you drive.
- Drive with extreme care on unknown offroad routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route.
- Look out for obstacles such as rocks, holes, tree stumps and furrows.
- Check the depth of water before fording rivers and streams.
- When fording, do not stop and do not switch off the engine.
- On sand, drive quickly to overcome the rolling resistance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself into the sand.
- Do not jump with the vehicle as this will interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.
- Always keep the engine running and in gear when driving on a slope.
- Do not shift the automatic transmission to transmission position N.