Approach/Departure Angle - Mercedes-Benz G-Class Operator's Manual

Driving tips
130
for possible damage, especially to the under-
body and the components of the chassis.
!
Drive with particular care when driving over
an obstacle while driving up or down a steep
slope.
The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide side-
ways or tip over.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles:
Observe the safety notes (
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the general notes (
driving.
Shift the transfer case to the off-road driving
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position LOW RANGE (
Avoid high engine speeds.
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Shift the automatic transmission to a low
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gear.
Make sure that you have enough ground
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clearance before driving across an obstacle.
Drive very slowly.
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Try to drive straight over the center of obsta-
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cles: front wheel first, then rear wheel.
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.
Always observe the approach/departure angle
values ( page 283).
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Observe the safety notes (
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general notes (
road.
Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or
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gradients, but instead follow the direct line of
fall. Note that the climbing ability of your vehi-
cle depends on the terrain conditions.
Before driving on extreme uphill and extreme
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downhill gradients, set the transfer case to
the off-road driving position LOW RANGE
( page 146).
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page 127) and
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page 127) on off-road
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page 146).
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page 127) and
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page 127) on driving off-
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Engage the differential locks if necessary
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( page 148).
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Drive slowly.
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Accelerate gently and make sure that the
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wheels are gripping.
Avoid high engine speeds, except when driv-
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ing on sandy and muddy routes with high driv-
ing resistance.
Avoid high engine speeds – drive at an appro-
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priate engine speed (maximum 3,000 rpm).
When driving down an incline, make use of the
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engine's braking effect. Observe the engine
speed; do not overrev the engine.
Further information on the maximum engine
speed: ( page 157).
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Shift the automatic transmission to a low gear
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appropriate for tackling an uphill gradient or a
long, steep downhill gradient.
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on
a hill. For further information about hill start
assist, see ( page 127).
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Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Always observe the maximum gradient climbing
ability values ( page 283).
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Hilltops
When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly
reduce pressure on the accelerator immediately
before reaching the brow of the hill (do not shift
the transmission into N). Make use of the vehi-
cle's own impetus to travel over the brow.
This style of driving prevents:
the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
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brow of a hill
loss of traction
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the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
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the other side
Driving downhill
Drive slowly.
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Do not drive at an angle down steep inclines.
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Steer into the line of fall and drive with the
front wheels aligned straight. Otherwise, the
vehicle could slip sideways, tip and rollover.
Before tackling steep downhill gradients, shift
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the automatic transmission to a low gear.
By doing so, you will use the braking effect of
the engine to reduce the speed. If this is not