Driving Through Water - Mercedes-Benz 2009 GL320 BlueTEC Operator's Manual

Operation
Driving instructions
Traction in steep terrain
The 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.
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for
continuous wheel traction when driving in
steep terrain.
i The 4-ETS helps greatly when starting out
on a steep incline when the front wheels
have then the tendency to slip due to the
weight shifting towards the rear axle.
The 4-ETS recognizes the situation and
limits the torque for the front wheels by
braking them.
Simultaneously the torque for the rear
wheels is increased.
i Vehicles with enhanced off-road package
are equipped with automatic locks for the
center and rear axle differential to improve
vehicle traction.
Driving across a hilltop
Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not shift
automatic transmission into neutral position
306
N), to prevent the vehicle from speeding up
too much after climbing a hill.
Use the momentum of the vehicle to drive
across the hilltop.
After climbing a hill, driving in this manner
prevents the vehicle from:
losing ground contact when cresting hills
R
losing its forward momentum
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speeding up too much after climbing the hill
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Driving downhill
Drive slowly.
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Do not drive at an angle to the incline. Steer
R
into the line of gravity and drive with the
front wheels pointing straight downhill.
Otherwise, the vehicle may slide sideways
off the path and roll over.
Shift automatic transmission into gear
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range 1 ( Y page 139).
On steep inclines, use the Downhill Speed
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Regulation ( Y page 182).
Utilize the engine's braking power to
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reduce vehicle speed.
If this is insufficient, apply the brakes
gently. Make sure the vehicle is moving in
the line of gravity.
Check the brakes after a lengthy
R
downgrade drive.
i The special Off-road ABS (
setting allows for precise and brief
(cyclical) blocking of the front wheels,
permitting them to dig into loose ground.
Remember that, when stopped, the front
wheels slide across a surface and thus lose
their ability to steer the vehicle.

Driving through water

Fording depth
1
Y page 77)