2007 Mercedes GL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 362
2007 Mercedes GL-Class Manual
Page 362 highlights
Operation Driving instructions i The hill start assist system supports you when driving uphill. For more information, see "Hill start assist system" ( page 199). i Vehicles with enhanced off-road package* are equipped with automatic locks for the center and rear axle differential to improve vehicle traction. Driving downhill Drive slowly. Do not drive at an angle to the incline. Steer 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 to position 1 ( page 200). On steep inclines, use the Downhill Speed Regulation ( page 275). Utilize the engine's braking power to reduce vehicle speed. If this is insufficient, apply the brake gently. Make sure the vehicle is moving in the line of gravity. Check the brakes after a lengthy downgrade drive. Traction in steep terrain The maximum vehicle climbing ability is a 100% grade which is equivalent to a slope angle of 45 degrees. 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. Driving across a hilltop Decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not shift automatic transmission to position 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 losing its forward momentum speeding up too much after climbing the hill 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. 361
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