ground clearance MERCEDES-BENZ GLK SUV 2012 Owners Manual

Slippery road surfaces
G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
This increases the risk of skidding and having
an accident.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Move the transmission to position N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 353).Off-road driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or
turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip
sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of
an accident.
When driving up an incline, drive into the line
of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight
line) and do not turn.
When driving off-road, substances such as
sand, mud and water or water mixed with oil
may get into the brakes. This may lead to a
reduction in braking performance or total
brake failure as a result of increased wear.
The braking characteristics will vary depend-
ing on the substances that get into the
brakes. Clean the brakes after driving off-
road. If you notice grinding noises or a reduc-
tion in braking performance, have the brake
system checked at a qualified specialist work- shop immediately. Adapt your driving style to
the altered braking characteristics.
Driving off-road increases the possibility of
damage to the vehicle, which may cause
assemblies or systems to fail. Adapt your
driving style to the conditions of the terrain.
Drive carefully. Have vehicle damage rectified
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Do not shift into transmission position
N
when driving off-road. You could lose control
of the vehicle if you attempt to brake the
vehicle using the service brake. If the gradient
is too steep for your vehicle, back up in
reverse gear.
General notes H
Environmental note
Protection of the environment is of primary
importance. Treat nature with respect.
Observe all prohibiting signs.
Read this section before driving your vehicle
off-road. Practise by travelling over more gen-
tle off-road terrain first.
Off-road driving is only possible with the Off-
Road Engineering package (Y page 215).
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
R Off-road drive program (Y page 215)
R Off-road ABS (Y page 65)
R Off-road 4ETS (Y page 68)
R Off-road ESP ®
(Y page 69)
R DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Y page 213)
Observe the following notes:
R Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, select
the off-road drive program (Y page 215)
before driving off-road.
R To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure
there is always sufficient ground clearance.
R Check that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured
(Y page 299). 170
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Driving on sand
Observe the following rules when driving on
sand:
R select a shift range appropriate to the ter-
rain.
R drive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels could
become stuck in loose ground.
R drive in the tracks of other vehicles if pos-
sible. Make sure that:
-the tyre ruts are not too deep.
- the sand is sufficiently firm.
- the ground clearance of the vehicle is
sufficient.
Tyre ruts and gravel roads Observe the following rules when driving
along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with
loose gravel:
! Check that the ruts are not too deep and
that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged
or bottom out and get stuck.
R select the off-road drive program
(Y page 215).
R avoid high engine speeds.
R restrict the shift range to 1.
R drive slowly.
R where ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels on one side on the middle section
of turf if possible.
Driving over obstacles !
Obstacles could damage the floor of the
vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask
passengers for guidance when driving over
large obstacles. Any damage to the vehicle
always increases the risk of an accident.
Observe the following rules when driving over
tree stumps, large stones and other obsta-
cles: R
select the off-road drive program
(Y page 215).
R avoid high engine speeds.
R restrict the shift range to 1.
R drive very slowly.
R try to drive straight over the centre of
obstacles: front wheel first, then rear
wheel. Travelling uphill
Approach/departure angle G
WARNING
If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or
turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip
sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of
an accident.
When driving up an incline, drive into the line
of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight
line) and do not turn. Front approach/departure angle
:is a max-
imum of 23.6° and rear approach/departure
angle ;is a maximum of 25.4 °when the
vehicle is loaded and ready to drive.
Loaded and ready to drive means: a full tank,
all fluids topped up and the driver is in the
vehicle.
R Follow the line of fall when driving on slopes
and steep inclines.
R Before driving on extreme uphill and down-
hill gradients, select the off-road drive pro-
gram (Y page 215). 172
Driving tipsDriving and pa
rking

The coolant is checked at every maintenance
interval at a qualified specialist workshop.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is fil-
led with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion protec-
tion. Windscreen and headlamp cleaning
system
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Windscreen washer fluid/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Avoid spilling windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze on hot engine components as
it can ignite and burn. Severe burns could be
the result.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or de-ionised water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only the washer fluids SummerFit and
WinterFit can be mixed. Otherwise, the
spraying nozzles could become blocked.
At temperatures above freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Sum-
merFit.
Mix 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts water. At temperatures below freezing:
X
Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB Winter-
Fit.
Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside temper-
ature.
R Down to Ò10 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit to
2 parts water.
R Down to Ò20 †: mix 1 part MB WinterFit to
1 part water.
R Down to Ò29 †: mix 2 parts MB WinterFit
to 1 part water.
i Add washer fluid concentrate, e.g. MB
SummerFit or MB WinterFit, to the washer
fluid all year round. Vehicle data
General notes
Please note that for the specified vehicle
data:
R the heights specified may vary as a result
of:
-tyres
- load
- condition of the suspension
- optional equipment
R The indicated ground clearance refers to
the vehicle when loaded and ready to drive,
including:
-driver (68 kg)
- all fluids (fuel tank 100% full)
R Items of optional equipment increase the
unladen weight and reduce the maximum
payload. The unladen weight is specified in
accordance with EC directive and includes:
- driver (68 kg)
- luggage (7 kg)
- all fluids (fuel tank 90% full) 372
Vehicle dataTechnical data

R
vehicle-specific weight information can be
found on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 364).
R only for certain countries: you can find vehi-
cle-specific vehicle data in the COC docu-
ments (CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY).
These documents are delivered with your
vehicle. Dimensions and weights
Model : :
Open-
ing height ;
;
Maximum
headroom All models
2087 mm 1955 mm
Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print. All models
Vehicle length
4525 mm
Vehicle width including
exterior mirrors
2016 mm
Vehicle width excluding
exterior mirrors
1840 mm
Vehicle height
1689 mm
Wheelbase
2755 mm
Maximum roof load
75 kg GLK 300 4MATIC
GLK 300 4MATIC BlueEF-
FICIENCY
Unladen weight
1845 kg
Ground clearance
202 mm
GLK 350 4MATIC BlueEF-
FICIENCY
Unladen weight
Ground clearance
202 mm
GLK 200 CDI BlueEFFI-
CIENCY
GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFI-
CIENCY
Unladen weight, manual
transmission
1825 kg
Unladen weight, auto-
matic transmission
1845 kg
Ground clearance
188 mm
GLK 220 BlueTEC 4MATIC
GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
GLK 350 CDI 4MATIC
Unladen weight
1880 kg
Ground clearance
188 mm
Trailer tow hitch
Mounting dimensions
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system may be nec-
essary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chas-
sis frame. Trailer tow hitch
373Technical data Z