Driving On Sand - Mercedes-Benz GL Operator's Manual

Driving tips
176
wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a
folding spade in the vehicle.
X
Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth and tire pressure. A table with the
recommended tire pressures can be found
on the B-pillar on the driver's side of your
vehicle.
X
Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the
wheels/tires.
X
Replace any missing valve caps.
X
Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X
Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a
loss of tire pressure and damage the tire
bead. Therefore, check your rims before
driving off-road and replace them as
required.
Checklist after driving off-road
G
WARNING
If you notice sudden significant vibrations or
unusual handling performance or if you
suspect that damage has occurred to the
vehicle, you should activate the hazard
warning lamps, gently reduce speed and
carefully head for an area that is located at a
safe distance from the road.
Check the tires and the underside of the
vehicle for damage. If the vehicle seems
unsafe, have the vehicle towed away to the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire dealer
to be repaired.
Driving over rough terrain places greater
demands on your vehicle than driving on
normal roads. After driving off-road, check
the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage
promptly and reduce the risk of an accident
to yourself and other road users.
X
Deactivate the off-road drive program
( Y page 206) or the LOW RANGE off-road
gear ( Y page 206).
X
Deactivate DSR (
X
Set the differential lock setting to AUTO on
the selector wheel (
Y page 204).
Y page 208).
X
Lower the vehicle level again to a level
suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the
highway/high-speed level.
X
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X
Clean the front and rear license plates.
X
Clean wheels/tires, wheel mounting and
underbody with a water jet, check them for
foreign objects and damage and rectify this
as required.
X
After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes,
bodywork structure, steering, chassis and
exhaust system for damage.
X
Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These
increase the risk of fire and can damage
fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber
bellows of the axle joints and propeller
shafts.
X
After driving for extended periods across
sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty
conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,
brake pads/linings and axle joints checked
and cleaned.
X
If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the
wheels and drive train and remove them if
necessary. Foreign objects can disturb the
balance and cause vibrations.
X
Test the brakes.

Driving on sand

G
WARNING
Do not reduce the tire inflation pressure
before driving through sand. However, if you
do so, remember to correct the tire inflation
pressure before continuing your trip. Driving
with reduced tire inflation pressure increases
the risk of losing control of the vehicle and
rolling over.
I n f o r m a t i o n P r o v i d e d b y :