Driving Downhill - Mercedes-Benz 2011 G-Class Operator's Manual

Driving tips
146
Avoid high engine speeds – drive at
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appropriate engine speeds (no more than
3000 rpm).
Use the braking power of the engine when
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driving down a slope. Observe the engine
speed, do not overrev the engine.
i Further information on the maximum
engine speed can be found in the
"Tachometer" and "Technical Data"
sections.
Select a shift range appropriate to the
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gradient.
Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
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select shift range 1 (
Check the brakes after driving off-road for
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a long time.
G
Warning!
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
vehicle cannot complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear.
i Hill start assist will aid you when pulling
away on a hill.
For more information, see "Hill start assist"
( Y page 118).
Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines or
gradients, but instead follow the direct line of
fall. The maximum gradient-climbing
capability of your vehicle is 80%, which
corresponds to an approach/departure angle
of 38°. Note that the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability depends on the off-road
conditions.
Accelerate carefully and make sure that the
wheels do not spin when driving on steep
terrain.
i If the load on the front axle is reduced
when pulling away on a steep uphill slope,
the front wheels have a tendency to spin.
4ETS detects this and brakes the wheels
Y page 123).
accordingly. The rear wheel torque is
increased, making it easier to drive off.
Brow of hill
When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce
pressure slightly on the accelerator
immediately before reaching the top of the hill
(do not shift the transmission to position N).
Use the vehicle's own impetus to drive over
the top of the hill.
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

Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
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select shift range 1 (
This way you use the engine's braking
effect to reduce the speed. If this is not
sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,
make sure that the vehicle is facing in the
direction of the line of fall.
Observe the notes on driving in
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mountainous terrain (
Drive slowly.
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Do not drive at an angle down steep
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inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight.
Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,
tip and rollover.
Check that the brakes are working normally
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after a long downhill stretch.
i The special off-road ABS(
enables accurate, brief and repeated
locking of the front wheels, causing them
to dig into the loose ground. Note that when
the front wheels are fully braked, they slide
easily over the surface of the ground,
making it difficult to steer.
Y page 123).
Y page 146).
Y page 56)