Approach/Departure Angle - Mercedes-Benz 2015 M-Class Operator's Manual

Driving tips
194
Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
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shifter to shift to a lower gear appropriate
to the terrain.
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 tire 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.
Tire ruts and gravel 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:
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
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select a raised vehicle level.
Avoid high engine speeds.
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Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
R
steering wheel paddle shifter.
Drive slowly.
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Where ruts are too deep, drive with the
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wheels of one side on the center grassy
area, 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. The passenger should
always keep a safe distance from the vehi-
cle when doing so in order to avoid injury as
a result of unexpected vehicle movements.
After driving off-road or over obstacles,
check the vehicle for possible damage,
especially to the underbody and the com-
ponents of the chassis.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obsta-
cles:
Select the LOW RANGE (
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road gear.
Raise the vehicle level.
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Avoid high engine speeds.
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Shift to a lower gear using the left-hand
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steering wheel paddle shifter.
Drive very slowly.
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Drive straight over the center of obstacles.
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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.
Observe the rules on off-road driving.
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Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines
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or gradients, but instead follow the direct
line of fall. The maximum gradient-climbing
capability of your vehicle is 100%, which
corresponds to an approach/departure
angle of 45°. Note that the climbing ability
of your vehicle depends on the terrain con-
ditions.
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