Mercedes-Benz 2005 ML 350 - Manual (Page 208)

206
Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
ț Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire pressure (see tire pres-
sure label inside the fuel filler flap).
ț Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
ț Replace missing valve caps.
Rims
ț Dented or bent rims can cause tire
pressure loss and damage the tire
beads. For this reason, check and, if
necessary, change rims before driving
off-road.
Vehicle tool kit
ț Check if the vehicle jack is functional.
ț In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small
plank (to put under the vehicle jack on
sandy soil) with you.
Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle
1 25°
2 26°
ț Switch to LOW RANGE mode before
starting to drive up or down steep in-
clines (
୴ page 127).
ț Driving on embankments, slopes and
other steep inclines should only be
done straight up or downhill, i.e. in the
line of gravity. Maximum vehicle climb-
ing ability is a 60% grade.
ț Do not drive along the side of a slope
(danger of vehicle rollover). If in doing
so the vehicle begins to show a tenden-
cy to roll, immediately steer into a line
of gravity (straight up or downhill).
ț To help avoid the vehicle rolling over,
never turn it around on steep inclines.
If the vehicle cannot complete the at-
tempted climb, back it down in reverse
gear.
ț Utilize the engine’s braking power
when descending a slope, observe the
engine speed (do not overrev the en-
gine). Apply the service brake as need-
ed.
ț Check the brakes after a lengthy down-
grade drive.
i
Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive
with moderate engine speeds
(max. 3000 RPM).
Select gear range 2 or 1 on the auto-
matic transmission (
୴ page 122).