Driving off-road might seem simple at first glance. But it isn’t, oh no it isn’t! To make matters clear, Mercedes-Benz thought to do a video on mud-roading with the G 500. There are six steps to take into consideration, and the first comes down to the choice of tires.
All-terrain tires are perfect for the G-Class, which is available with Falken Wilpeak A/T AT3WA for the 18-inch alloy wheels. Next up, the G 500 has low range and three differential locks. Select LR and two of those locks (central and rear are sufficient), and you’re good to go.
The front differential lock should be engaged when the off-road scenario is as extreme as they come. It’s also necessary to highlight that low range and the diff locks should be disengaged during normal and highway driving to protect the drivetrain of the G-Class.
Approaching a mud-rutted path should be done at constant pace, keeping a steady line. When the vehicle slows down because of the mud, gently accelerate. Never slam the throttle because that’s the perfect recipe to get stuck in the sludge. The word to keep in mind when mud-roading is “momentum.”
If the ruts happen to be on the extreme side of things, it’s recommended to drive up alongside them to gain traction. As explained in the previous paragraph, easy does it as long as you’re steady.
Following this step, gently apply the brake pedal to dry the rotors and calipers. This also helps get the mud out of the nooks and crannies of the braking system, which could pose a problem if the sludge is left to dry by itself.
Even more important is to remember to remove those chunks of mud with a power hose after the off-road session comes to a closure. Be thorough about it, so don’t forget to wash the underbody of the G-Class.
New from the ground up for the 2019 model year, the G-Class starts with the G 350 d in Europe. The United States gets two specifications, both relying on the twin-turbo V8 developed by AMG. The one to go for is the G63, retailing at $148,495 and packing 577 horsepower.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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