Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: Checklist after driving off-road - Off-road driving - Driving tips - Driving and parking - Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Owner's ManualMercedes-Benz GL-Class: Checklist after driving off-road

WARNING If you notice sudden significant vibrations or 
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.

Deactivate the off-road drive program or the LOW RANGE off-road gear.
Deactivate DSR.
Set the differential lock setting to AUTO on the selector wheel.
Lower the vehicle level again to a level suitable to the road conditions, e.g. to the highway/high-speed level.
Clean the headlamps and rear lights and check for damage.
Clean the front and rear license plates.
Clean wheels/tires, wheel mounting and underbody with a water jet, check them for foreign objects and damage and rectify this as required.
After the trip, examine without fail the entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes, bodywork structure, steering, chassis and exhaust system for damage.
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.
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.
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.
Test the brakes.

    Checklist before driving off-road
    ► Engine oil level: check the engine oil and top it up if necessary. The vehicle can only guarantee a smooth supply of oil on steep stretches if there is a sufficient level of engine oil ...

    Driving on sand
    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. Drivi ...

    See also:

    Off-road drive program
    The off-road drive program is available only in vehicles without the Off-Road Pro engineering package. The off-road drive program assists you in driving off-road. The engine’s performance ch ...

    Towing eyes
    WARNING The towing points at the front and rear of the vehicle are designed for on-road recovery only. If they are used for any other purpose, it may result in vehicle damage and serious inj ...

    Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
    This emergency operating mode lets the vehicle be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat protection mode which alternates firing gr ...