Basic settings

The extent to which the vehicle is raised or lowered depends on the basic setting selected.

Select:

• Off-road level 3 for freeing the vehicle in impassable terrain at low speeds only
• Off-road level 2 for driving on normal offroad terrain
• Off-road level 1 for driving on easily negotiable off-road terrain
• Highway/high-speed level for normal roads
The individual vehicle levels differ from highway level as follows:

• +3.5 in (+ 90 mm) at off-road level 3
• +2.3 in (+ 60 mm) at off-road level 2
• +1.2 in (+ 30 mm) at off-road level 1
• +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) at the highway level
• –0.6 in (–15 mm) at the high-speed level

Off-road levels

WARNING  
Vehicle off-road level 3 is not intended for use on paved roads. This vehicle level is intended for clearing impracticable situations at low speed exclusively. The vehicle has a very high center of gravity in off-road level 3. This increases the overturning hazard.
• Select off-road level 3 exclusively for clearing impracticable situations at low speed.
• Adapt your driving style to the modified conditions.
• Do not exceed a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
• Avoid extreme, quick steering movements.
• Keep in mind the vehicle's driving characteristics are modified.
You should therefore drive in off-road level 3 with particular caution as it could otherwise lead to an accident and/or serious injury to you or others.

If you drive too fast at off-road level 3, then the Reduce speed to below 12 mph (20 km/h) message appears in the multifunction display. You also hear a warning. The vehicle is lowered.

You cannot clear these messages.

Only select an off-road level when this is appropriate for road conditions. Otherwise, fuel consumption increases and handling performance may be affected.

Your selection remains stored even if you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

► Start the engine.
► Turn the selector wheel clockwise 1.

The vehicle is raised.
or
► Turn selector wheel 2 counter-clockwise.

The vehicle is lowered.

Indicator lamps 3 for the desired off-road level flash:

• Off-road level 1: the lower indicator lamp flashes
• Off-road level 2: the lower and center indicator lamps flash
• Off-road level 3: all three indicator lamps flash

The vehicle is being adjusted to the off-road level selected. As soon as an off-road level is reached, the corresponding indicator lamp stops flashing and lights up constantly.

While the adjustment is taking place, a message appears in the multifunction display, e.g.:

The vehicle is raised from off-road level 1 to off-road level 2.

If you press the button on the multifunction steering wheel, the message will disappear.

Once off-road level 2 has been reached, you will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

Lower and center indicator lamps 3 are on.

If you have not previously selected the offroad menu in the on-board computer, the message disappears after about five seconds.

The Max. speed 12 mph (20 km/h) message draws your attention to the maximum permissible speed for off-road level 3.

While the adjustment from off-road level 2 to off-road level 3 is taking place, you will see a message such as the following in the multifunction display:

Once off-road level 3 has been reached, you will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you drive faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) at off-road level 3, the following message appears in the multifunction display:

Off-road level 3 is canceled.

If you then increase the speed again, the message remains in the multifunction display. The newly set level is not displayed until the vehicle has been set to a level suitable for the current speed.

If you maintain or reduce your speed, you will see a message such as the following in the display while the vehicle is being lowered:

The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 2.

Once off-road level 2 has been reached, you will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you select an off-road level when driving at too high a speed, the Level selection not permitted message appears in the multifunction display.

You can select the following:

• off-road level 1 up to 60 mph(96 km/h)
• off-road level 2 up to 40 mph(64 km/h)
• off-road level 3 up to 12 mph(20 km/h)

If you drive faster than 55 mph (88 km/h), or for longer than 20 seconds between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 55 mph (88 km/h), then offroad level 2 is canceled. The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 1.

You will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you drive faster than 60 mph (96 km/h), offroad level 1 is canceled. The vehicle is lowered to highway level.^^ You will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

Depending on the ADS setting, the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at high speeds. If you return to a speed below 25 mph (40 km/h), the vehicle is raised back to highway level.

Highway/high-speed level

Make sure that there is enough ground clearance when the vehicle is being lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground, damaging the underbody.

1 To raise the level
2 To lower the level
3 Indicator lamps

► Start the engine.

If one or more indicator lamps 3 are on:

► Turn the selector wheel counterclockwise 2 until all indicator lamps 3 that are lit start to flash.

The vehicle is lowered to highway level. As soon as the next lowest level is reached, the indicator lamp stops flashing and goes out.

While the adjustment is taking place, a message appears in the multifunction display, e.g.:

If you press the button on the multifunction steering wheel, the message will disappear.

Once highway level has been reached, all indicator lamps 3 go out. You will see a message in the multifunction display, for example:

If you have not previously selected the offroad menu in the on-board computer, the message disappears after about five seconds.

The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway level when you drive faster than 60 mph(115 km/h). Depending on the ADS setting, the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at high speeds.

If a trailer is being towed, the vehicle is not lowered to high-speed level.