Mercedes-Benz 2009 GL-Class Automobile User Manual


 
Operating safety
23
Sport Utility Vehicle
G
Warning!
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for
both on-road and off-road use. It can go
places and perform tasks for which
conventional 2-wheel drive passenger cars
are not intended. This vehicle will handle
and maneuver differently from
conventional passenger cars in driving
conditions which may occur on streets,
highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance
and a higher center of gravity than many
passenger cars. As with other vehicles of
this type, if you make sharp turns at
excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the
vehicle may roll over or may go out of
control and crash. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. Failure to operate this
vehicle safely may result in an accident,
rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read
the Operator’s Manual. Take time to
become familiar with the driving
characteristics of this vehicle. Be sure you
are familiar with all vehicle controls. Learn
how your vehicle handles on different road
surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at
excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers or
other unsafe driving actions that can cause
loss of vehicle control. When driving off-
road or working the vehicle hard, do not
overload it. And, always wear your seat
belts at all times. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Operating safety
G
Warning!
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software
could cause them to cease functioning.
Because the vehicle’s electronic
components are interconnected, any
modifications made may produce an
undesired effect on other systems.
Electronic malfunctions could seriously
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on
the vehicle could also have a negative
impact on the operating safety of the
vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while
the engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
G
Warning!
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
Introduction
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