Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Diesel 4x4 | Roller/Slip Test

[@CarQuestion]

Sprinter 4x4 roller/slip test note: The Sprinter 4x4 has no mechanical locker, it's only the ESP that will brake the spinning wheel. But you have to be constant with the throttle. Keep it steady and let the ESP work. It's more an AWD system rather than a true 4x4. Sprinters in different parts of the world have various four-wheel drive options. Here, the system provides power around 30% to the front wheels, 70% to the rear. The van has to be stopped before you can engage or disengage the 4×4 system. It’s not a true on-the-fly system. The 4×4 vans come with the low range button, this adds a 40% gear reduction, which provides higher revs at lower speeds, giving more torque to the wheels. We only had to use it in the 3 wheel slip condition, and it shows better results in the roller test! We did not do the reverse test with 3 wheel slip condition since we didn't want to break our rollers and it pretty much went sideways. The best way to do it is to keep steady pressure on the accelerator and never release it. #sprinter4x4 #4x4test #rollertest

[@RichVLucky]

WOW! Awesome series of tests, answering how the 4 x 4 works! Thank you! Yet there are still folks who install an ARB rear differential locker. Are the circumstances where that is significantly more beneficial than the organic 4 x 4 system?

[@CarQuestion]

it might help in some situation while going slowly over rock and ditch.

[@scotthallenberg3575]

How do you think a rear limited slip differential would function? Would it improve or possibly interfere with the ESP? I suspect it would reduce or delay when ESP kicks in.

[@travsformation1]

Thanks for posting this! If this had been available a year ago I would have been even more hyped about buying a 4x4 Sprinter. In retrospect, I'm even happier that I bought it! 😁 This thing is a beast! So far I haven't found myself in a situation where only one wheel had traction, but with the rear wheels bogged and the front ones on solid ground I was able to get unstuck fairly easily (in 4-high, ESP on) . As you said, it's about steady throttle and letting the ASR (ESP) do its job (Except sand and mud where you want to power through without it messing with your momentum/wheel spin 😅). Although I'll admit, that's easier said than done: the first times it feels like the van is stuck and doesn't want to move forward, I guess because the braking force is quite powerful. It can take a while to get used to, but when you get over that initial fear of "forcing the van" (that's kind of what it feels like), it works REALLY well

[@sampep]

Thats awesome! Thanks for doing this test. Any chance you could compare the transit awd?

[@ludovic9477]

Merci pour la démonstration et bravo à Mercedes 👍🏻

[@TnTTyler]

Where did you end up buying those rollers from?

[@SportMazdaNorth]

Anyone able to tell me where to purchase these test rollers?

[@宝宝-n8q]

Seems much better than awd transit.

[@ajmedeiros77]

Ok now the awd transit!!

[@alfrenicolas]

+1

[@alperenaydemir4460]

+1

[@paulpearce172]

Couple of comments 1> The roller cages need to be wider, the vehicle slides sideway and the spinning wheels get a grip on the side of the roller cage. 2) Really need to use video spot metering for the side shots when the background of the vehicle is so bright, else we see an under-exposed video of that vehicle's side.