Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of hydroplaning occurring, even if:
• you drive at low speeds.
• the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or in conditions in which hydroplaning can occur you must drive in the following manner:
• reduce your speed
• avoid ruts
• brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving through it. Drive slowly through standing water. Otherwise, water may enter the vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic components in the engine or the automatic transmission. Water can also be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles and this can cause engine damage.
Set the raised level before driving through
a stretch of standing water.
Off-road fording
1 Fording depth
• Establish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before
fording.
• Select the highest possible vehicle
level.
• Select the off-road drive program or the LOW RANGE off-road
gear.
• Select the off-road drive program.
• Restrict the shift range to 1 or 2.
• Avoid high engine speeds.
• Enter and exit the water at a flat place
and
at a steady walking pace.
Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The
bow wave could cause water to enter and
damage the engine and other assemblies.
• Drive slowly and at an even speed
through
the water.
• Do not stop.
Do not open any of the vehicle's doors
while fording. Otherwise, water could get
into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior
equipment.
• Water offers a high degree of
resistance,
and the ground is slippery and in some
cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and
dangerous to pull away in the water.
• Ensure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
• Clean any mud from the tire tread after
fording.
• Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Brakes
Important safety notes
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your ve ...
Winter driving
Important safety notes
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes trapped in snow,
ensure that snow is kept away from the
exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as
long as the engine is running ...
See also:
Tire characteristics
Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
This information describes the tire cord and
the number of layers in sidewall 1 and under
the tread 2. ...
Topping up the coolant
WARNING
Never remove the filler cap when the engine is hot - escaping steam or scalding
water could cause serious personal injury.
Avoid spilling antifreeze onto a hot engine - a fire may res ...
Problems with the windshield wipers
The windshield wipers are obstructed
Leaves or snow, for example, may be
obstructing the windshield wiper movement.
The wiper motor has been deactivated.
► For safety reasons, you should ...