Approach/Departure Angle - Mercedes-Benz 2016 GLE Operator's Manual

Driving tips
190
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles:
Select the Offroad drive program (vehicles
R
with Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 237).
Y
Select the Offroad drive program (vehicles
R
without Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 237).
Y
Select LOW RANGE offroad gear (vehicles
R
with Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 239)
Y
Raise the vehicle level.
R
Avoid high engine speeds.
R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
R
ing wheel paddle shifter.
Drive very slowly.
R
Drive straight over the center of obstacles.
R
Traveling uphill

Approach/departure angle

G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle.
Observe the rules on off-road driving.
R
Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or
R
gradients, but instead follow the direct line of
fall.
When driving down an incline, make use of the
R
engine's braking effect. Observe the engine
speed; do not overrev the engine.
Select the Offroad drive program (vehicles
R
with Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 237).
Y
Select the Offroad drive program (vehicles
R
without Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 237).
Y
Before driving on extreme uphill and downhill
R
gradients, select the LOW RANGE off-road
gear (vehicles with Off-Road Engineering
package) ( page 239).
Y
Drive slowly.
R
Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at appropri-
R
ate engine speeds (maximum 3,000 rpm).
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
R
shifter to shift into a lower gear in good time
on long and steep downhill gradients.
Check the brakes after prolonged off-road
R
driving.
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on
a hill. For further information about hill start
assist, see ( page 149).
Y
Do not switch to transmission position N when
driving off-road. If you try to brake the vehicle
using the service brake, you could lose control
of the vehicle. If the gradient is too steep for your
vehicle, drive back down in reverse gear.
Always observe the approach/departure angle
values ( page 443).
Y
Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Always observe the maximum gradient climbing
ability values ( page 444).
Y
Hilltops
When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator immediately
before reaching the brow of the hill. Make use of
the vehicle's own impetus to travel over the
brow.
This style of driving prevents:
the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
R
brow of a hill
the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
R
the other side
Driving downhill
Drive slowly.
R
Do not drive at an angle down steep inclines.
R
Steer into the line of fall and drive with the
front wheels aligned straight. Otherwise, the
vehicle could slip sideways, tip and rollover.
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand pad-
R
dle shifter before tackling steep downhill gra-
dients.
Activate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake
R
gently. When doing so, make sure that the
vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of
fall.
Check that the brakes are working normally
R
after a long downhill stretch.