Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 Owner's Manual page 178

Driving on sand
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
Activate the off-road program (
R
Avoid high engine speeds.
R
Use the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
R
paddle to shift to a lower gear appropriate to
the terrain.
Drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
R
ance. Otherwise, the vehicle could dig itself
into the sand.
Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if possi-
R
ble. Make sure that:
the tyre ruts are not too deep
-
the sand is firm enough
-
your vehicle has sufficient ground clear-
-
ance
Tyre ruts and unpaved roads
!
Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or
bottom out and get stuck.
Observe the following rules when driving along
ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose
gravel:
Activate the off-road program (
R
Avoid high engine speeds.
R
Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand steer-
R
ing wheel gearshift paddle.
Drive slowly.
R
Where ruts are too deep, drive with the
R
wheels on one side on the middle section of
turf if possible.
Travelling uphill
Approach/departure angle
G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip
sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of
an accident.
When driving on an incline, drive into the line
of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight
line) and do not turn.
Observe the warnings for off-road driving
R
(
Y
Follow the line of fall when driving on slopes
R
and steep inclines.
page 151).
Y
Before driving on extreme uphill and extreme
R
downhill gradients, select the off-road pro-
gram (
Drive slowly.
R
Accelerate gently and make sure that the
R
wheels are gripping.
Avoid high engine speeds, except when driv-
R
ing on sandy and muddy routes with high driv-
ing resistance.
Use the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
R
paddle to shift to a lower gear appropriate to
the gradient.
Use the left-hand gearshift paddle to shift to a
R
lower gear on long and steep downhill gradi-
ents.
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on
a hill. Further information on hill start assist
( page 147).
Y
Do not shift into transmission position i when
driving off-road. You could lose control of the
vehicle if you attempt to brake the vehicle using
the service brake. If the gradient is too steep for
your vehicle, back up in reverse gear.
Always observe the approach/departure angle
values (
page 151).
Y
Maximum gradient-climbing capability
Always observe the maximum gradient climbing
ability values (
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 travelling too quickly down
R
the other side
page 173).
page 151).
Y
page 359).
Y
page 359).
Y
Driving tips
175
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