2000 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 189

Instruments and controls Operation Driving Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Driving instructions Driving downhill: Select gear range "1" on the automatic transmission, see page 165. Drive downhill observing the same rules as driving uphill. Driving on embankments, slopes and other steep inclines should only be done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the line of gravity. Do not drive along the side of a slope (danger of vehicle rollover). If in doing so, the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll, immediately steer into a line of gravity (straight up or downhill). 186 Utilize the engine's braking power when descending a slope, observe the engine speed (do not overrev the engine). Apply the service brake as needed. The special low range ABS setting allows for precise and brief (cyclical) blocking of the front wheels, permitting them to dig into loose ground. Remember that the front wheels when stopped, slide across a surface, thus loose their ability to steer the vehicle. Check the brakes after a lengthy downgrade drive. Important! Only apply the service brake if the vehicle travels straight downhill, i.e. in the line of gravity.