Off-Road Driving; Important Safety Notes - Mercedes-Benz GL Operator's Manual

conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( page 407).
Y
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see ( page 406).
Y
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( page 406).
Y

Off-road driving

Important safety notes

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.
G WARNING
If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle center
of gravity is raised. This could cause the
vehicle to tip over more easily on uphill or
downhill gradients. There is a risk of an
accident.
Select the lowest possible vehicle level.
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water,
possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get
into the brakes. This could result in a reduced
braking effect or in total brake failure and also
in increased wear and tear. The braking
characteristics change depending on the
material ingressing the brakes. Clean the
brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a
reduced braking effect or grinding noises,
have the brake system checked in a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
Adapt your driving style to the different
braking characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the likelihood of
damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead
to failure of the mechanical assembly or
systems. Adapt your driving style to suit the
terrain conditions. Drive carefully. Have
damage to the vehicle rectified immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not switch to transmission position N
when driving off-road. You could lose control
of the vehicle if you attempt to brake using
the service brake. If the gradient is too steep,
drive backwards in reverse gear.
General notes
Read this section carefully before driving your
vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more
gentle off-road terrain first.
Familiarize yourself with the characteristics
of your vehicle and the gear shift operation
before driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
Off-road program 1 and 2 (vehicles with the
R
ON&OFFROAD package) (
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with
R
the ON&OFFROAD package)
( page 259)
Y
Differential lock (vehicles with the
R
ON&OFFROAD package) (
Off-road ABS ( page 68)
R
Y
AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
R
( page 217)
Y
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
R
( page 256)
Y
Observe the following notes:
Stop the vehicle before starting to drive
R
along an off-road route.
For vehicles with the AIRMATIC
R
package: select a vehicle level that is
suitable for the off-road terrain. To avoid
damaging the vehicle, make sure there is
always sufficient ground clearance.
Check that items of luggage and loads are
R
stowed safely and are well secured
( page 345).
Y
Driving tips
197
page 258)
Y
page 259)
Y
Z