Mercedes-Benz GLK 300 4MATIC 2012 Owner's Manual page 175

Driving tips
172
Driving on sand
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
select a shift range appropriate to the ter-
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rain.
drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
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ance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels could
become stuck in loose ground.
drive in the tracks of other vehicles if pos-
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sible. Make sure that:
the tyre ruts are not too deep.
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the sand is sufficiently firm.
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the ground clearance of the vehicle is
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sufficient.
Tyre ruts and gravel roads
Observe the following rules when driving
along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with
loose gravel:
! 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.
select the off-road drive program
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( page 215).
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avoid high engine speeds.
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restrict the shift range to 1.
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drive slowly.
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where ruts are too deep, drive with the
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wheels on one side on the middle section
of turf if possible.
Driving over obstacles
! Obstacles could damage the floor of the
vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask
passengers for guidance when driving over
large obstacles. Any damage to the vehicle
always increases the risk of an accident.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obsta-
cles:
select the off-road drive program
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( page 215).
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avoid high engine speeds.
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restrict the shift range to 1.
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drive very slowly.
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try to drive straight over the centre of
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obstacles: front wheel first, then rear
wheel.
Travelling uphill
Approach/departure angle
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WARNING
If you drive up 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 up an incline, drive into the line
of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight
line) and do not turn.
Front approach/departure angle : is a max-
imum of 23.6° and rear approach/departure
angle ; is a maximum of 25.4° when the
vehicle is loaded and ready to drive.
Loaded and ready to drive means: a full tank,
all fluids topped up and the driver is in the
vehicle.
Follow the line of fall when driving on slopes
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and steep inclines.
Before driving on extreme uphill and down-
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hill gradients, select the off-road drive pro-
gram ( page 215).
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