Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: Driving on wet roads - Driving tips - Driving and parking - Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Owner's ManualMercedes-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.

a stretch of standing water. Set the raised level before driving through a stretch of standing water.

Off-road fording

1 Fording depth

1 Fording depth

• Establish how deep the water is and the

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.

accelerate before entering the water. The 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.

while fording. Otherwise, water could get 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:

    Brake System Warning Light
    The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic circuits. If one circuit is not working, the remaining circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal braking performance, both circuits n ...

    Opening the fuel-filler door
    To open the fuel-filler door, unlock the fuelfiller door by using one of the following operations, then push the right side of the door. ► Push the driver’s door handle request swi ...

    Intelligent Key battery discharge
    If the battery of the Intelligent Key is discharged, or environmental conditions interfere with the Intelligent Key operation, start the engine according to the following procedure: 1. Mov ...