Steep Terrain - Mercedes-Benz 2009 GL320 BlueTEC Operator's Manual

Rims
Dented or bent rims can cause tire inflation
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pressure loss and damage the tire beads.
For this reason, check and, if necessary,
change rims before driving off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
Check if the vehicle jack ( Y
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functional.
In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
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strong tow rope, a shovel and a small plank
(to put under the vehicle jack on sandy soil)
with you.
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
Overhang angle, front
1
Overhang angle, rear
2
Vehicles with air
suspension program
Raised level
Highway
page 329) is
Vehicles with
enhanced off-road
package
Off-road-level 3
Off-road-level 2
Off-road-level 1
Highway
Comply with the warnings (
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rules for off-road driving (
Driving on embankments, slopes and other
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steep inclines should only be done straight
up or downhill, i. e. in the line of gravity.
Maximum vehicle climbing ability is a
100% grade which is equivalent to a slope
angle of 45°. Keep in mind that the
climbing ability of the vehicle depends on
terrain conditions.
1 2
Shift automatic transmission into gear
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range 1 (
32° 26° Drive slowly.
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Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive with
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27° 21°
moderate engine speeds (max. 3 000 rpm).
Utilize the engine's braking power when
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1 2
descending a slope, observe the engine
speed (do not overrev the engine). Apply
the service brake as needed.
i For maximum engine speed, see
33° 27°
"Instrument cluster" (
32° 26°
"Engine" (
Check the brakes after a lengthy
28° 23°
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downgrade drive.
27° 21°
G Warning!
Never turn the vehicle around on steep
Y page 303) and
inclines. The vehicle might roll over. If the
Y page 303).
vehicle cannot complete the attempted
climb, back it down in reverse gear.
i
The hill start assist system supports you
when driving uphill.
For more information, see "Hill start assist
system" (
Operation
Driving instructions
Y page 139).
Y page 32) and see
Y page 423).
Y page 139).
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