Cruise Control; Driving Downhill - Mercedes-Benz G-Class Operator's Manual

Driving systems
162
Hilltops
When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce
pressure slightly on the accelerator immedi-
ately before reaching the top of the hill (do not
shift the transmission to position N). Use the
vehicle's own impetus to drive over the top of
the hill.
This style of driving prevents:
the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
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brow of a hill
loss of traction
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the vehicle from traveling too quickly down
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the other side

Driving downhill

Before tackling steep downhill gradients,
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select shift range 1(
This way you use the engine's braking
effect to reduce the speed. If this is not
sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,
make sure that the vehicle is facing in the
direction of the line of fall.
Observe the notes on driving in mountain-
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ous terrain (
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Drive slowly.
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Do not drive at an angle down steep
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inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive
with the front wheels aligned straight. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip
and roll over.
Check that the brakes are working normally
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after a long downhill stretch.
i
The special off-road ABS setting
( page 62) enables repeated, brief, pre-
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cise locking of the front wheels, which
leads to the wheels digging into the loose
ground. Note that when the front wheels
are fully braked, they slide easily over the
surface of the ground, making it difficult to
steer.
page 145).
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page 161).
Driving systems

Cruise control

Important safety notes
G WARNING
The brake pedal moves when cruise control
brakes the vehicle. A foot in the area under
the brake pedal could become trapped. The
movement of the pedal, and therefore the
vehicle's ability to brake, may be restricted by
objects in the area under the brake. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal.
Keep the area under the brake pedal free from
obstructions.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take account of road, weather
and traffic conditions. Cruise control is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for
braking in good time. Adjust your driving style
to the traffic conditions. Only engage cruise
control when the current road, weather and
traffic conditions permit it to be done safely.
Drive carefully and maintain a suitable dis-
tance to the vehicle in front.
Do not use cruise control:
in traffic conditions that do not allow you to
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drive at a constant speed, e.g. heavy traffic,
on winding roads or off-road
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
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erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
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heavy rain or snow
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. On long and steep downhill
gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden,
you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good
time. By doing so, you will make use of the