Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2012 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 210)

R you switch on the turn signals. In this
event, the warnings are suppressed for a
certain period of time.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP ® .
R you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.
R you brake hard.
R you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid
an obstacle or change lane quickly.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
Trailer towing
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical
connection. This can be accomplished by
checking the trailer lighting.
Off-road driving systems
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are
permanently driven. Together with ESP ® and
4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle
whenever a drive wheel spins due to
insufficient grip.
G WARNING
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground
or be fully raised. Observe the instructions
for towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
! Function or performance tests may only
be performed on a 2-axle dynamometer. If
you wish to operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
beforehand. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
For information about driving off-road, see
(
Y
page 162).
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
Important safety notes
DSR assists you when driving downhill. It
keeps the speed of travel at the speed set on
the on-board computer. The steeper the
downhill gradient, the greater the DSR
braking effect on the vehicle. When driving on
flat stretches of road or on an uphill gradient,
the DSR braking effect is minimal or non-
existent.
G WARNING
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The system
setting must be appropriate to the
topographical and weather conditions
encountered, which can change quickly. The
driver is responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation at all times.
Depending on the programmed speed, actual
vehicle speed and gradient, switching on DSR
while driving can cause the vehicle to slow
down rapidly, and you may hear a sound,
caused by the activation of the vehicle's brake
system through DSR. Sudden and unexpected
deceleration can result in loss of vehicle
208
Off-road driving systems
Driving
and
parking