Differential locks

General notes

WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm, high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the differential locks when cornering could lead to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately on firm, high-grip surfaces.

WARNING
ABS, 4ETS, ESP® and BAS are deactivated while the differential locks are engaged. As a result, the wheels could lock when braking and the braking distance is increased. There is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately on firm, high-grip surfaces.

In order to avoid damage to the transfer case, you must operate the vehicle on a dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only if:
• the axle not driven on is jacked up or
• the corresponding propeller shaft is disconnected and the transfer case differential lock is activated.

Otherwise, the transfer case can be damaged.

Differential locks improve the traction of the vehicle.

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential lock for: • the transfer case: this controls the balance between the front and rear axles.

• the rear axle: this controls the balance between the wheels on the rear axle.

• the front axle: this controls the balance between the wheels on the front axle.

Information on differential and differential locks

When the vehicle drives around a curve, the wheels on the outside of the curve must cover a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn more rapidly than on the inside. The differential, a transmission in the drive train, compensates for these different rotational speeds, making cornering possible.

The disadvantage of a differential is that more power is transferred to the wheels that have the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven axle is on a snow-covered surface and therefore does not have any traction. The differential causes this wheel to be subjected to the strongest driving force, as the flow of force takes the path of least resistance. The opposite wheel on this axle, however, which stands on firm ground and could therefore allow propulsion, receives no driving power.

4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.

4ETS provides good steerability by automatically braking the spinning wheel.

4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface with more drive force, which in turn provides propulsion.

ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are ideal for road driving and suitable for light offroad driving. The LOW RANGE off-road gear also improves off-road capability.

Moreover, the more difficult conditions in offroad driving require further measures such as locking one or several differentials. Your vehicle is equipped with three differential locks:

R a central differential lock for the transfer case,
• a differential lock for the front axle and • a differential lock for the rear axle.

Each differential lock can be engaged with the respective switch on the center console. If the transfer case differential is disabled, the front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.

If the differential for the rear axle is locked, both rear wheels turn at the same speed, regardless of their individual torques. Please note that activating the differential locks severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.

Please note that the functions of the differential are absolutely necessary for driving on paved roads. The differential locks must never be engaged when driving on paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not be steerable and you could lose control of the vehicle. The differential locks must therefore only be engaged when driving off-road. You may only engage the differential locks if the functions of the 4ETS and ESP® driving systems and the LOW RANGE off-road gear are insufficient.

The differential locks are only available in the LOW RANGE off-road gear.

Activating the differential lock

Important safety notes

WARNING
When differential locks are engaged on a firm, high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the differential locks when cornering could lead to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately on firm, high-grip surfaces.

WARNING
ABS, 4ETS, ESP® and BAS are deactivated while the differential locks are engaged. As a result, the wheels could lock when braking and the braking distance is increased. There is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately on firm, high-grip surfaces.

Only activate the differential locks when: • you are driving at walking pace.

• the driven wheels are not spinning.

• you are not driving on a firm road surface.

General notes

The switches are located on the center console.

1 Function indicator lamps (red) 2 Differential lock for the front axle 3 Differential lock for the transfer case 4 Differential lock for the rear axle 5 Activation indicator lamps (yellow)

Activate the differential locks: • off-road • to deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP® and BAS while off-road
• when fording

For further information on driving off-road, see .

You can only engage the differential locks if the transfer case is in the LOW RANGE off-road driving position .

You can activate the differential locks in the following order 3, 4, 5.

Differential lock for the transfer case

► To engage: switch the transfer case to the LOW RANGE off-road driving position .

► Press switch 3.

When the transfer case is in the LOW RANGE off-road driving position, the yellow activation indicator lamp below switch 3 lights up.

The warning lamp in the instrument
panel lights up.

When the differential is locked, the red function indicator lamp above switch 3 lights up.

In the multifunction display you see the: ABS not available Differential Locked The warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up.

The differential lock for the transfer case is engaged.

4ETS, ESP®, BAS and ABS are deactivated.

The vehicle's ability to steer is severely restricted. Drive carefully and accelerate gently for optimum traction.

You can now engage the differential lock for rear axle 4 and the differential lock for front axle 2 as required.

Differential lock for the rear axle

► To engage: press switch 4.

Yellow activation indicator lamp 5 lights up first, followed by red function indicator lamp 1 of switch 4.

The differential lock for the rear axle is engaged.

Differential lock for the front axle

► To engage: press switch 2.

First, the yellow activation indicator lamp lights up, followed by the red function indicator lamp.

The differential lock for the front axle is engaged.

Deactivating the differential lock

You can deactivate the differential locks in this order: 2, 4, 3.

► To simultaneously deactivate all differential locks: press switch 3.

Yellow activation indicator lamps 5 and red function indicator lamps 1 go out.

After approximately three seconds of normal driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP® and BAS are activated.

The ABS not available Differential Locked message disappears from the multifunction display and the ,

and ÷ warning lamps in the
instrument cluster go out.

► Shift the transfer case to the HIGH RANGE on-road position .

If red function indicator lamps 1 do not go out after disengaging the differential locks, bring the vehicle to a standstill in accordance with the traffic conditions.

Then continue driving, as the load change can release the differential locks.