4-etc???

Well, my wife finally got to try out the traction system on her 98-ML320. Unfortunately I had to retrieve her in my 1952 GMC.

The little truck was crossing a ditch at an angle, which left one front wheel and one rear wheel very light. The traction control system activated, and we could hear it cycling but the fron wheel just continued to spin. A gentle rock backwards and then forward got her moving again, but, we thought that that was what the traction control system was supposed to do. (My 52Jimmy only suffers 12 degrees of front wheel slip before the automatic transfer locks in, so much for new technology!)

Question is, how much wheel spin does the system allow? Does it require extensive wheel spin before the brakes apply and divert the torque? The system never gave a malfunction indication. Need some information on if it is working or if the dealer can make changes to the settings.

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Mark,
Someone will answer your question but you might also take a look at the thread in this forum "We've compared the ML to the Gwagen" it might give you an idea about the system. Hope that helps.

[Kuan]

3 mph difference in regular driving mode and 1.2 mph difference in low range. And that would be 4ETS

Kuan

[Lebenz]

This is interesting! How much gas did you give it? I’ve heard other stories about minor issues impeding the ML but personally haven’t been able to duplicate the problems. Anyway, Kuan has it right, there is a minimum speed to enable the system. And it shouldn’t hurt anything to give it a bit more gas. Can you go back to this spot and try again?

Thanks

[G-Man]

I suspect this is where the lockers and additional suspension travel of the Gwagen would have made it a non-issue. To be fair tire selection can make or break you. The stock ML tires I suspect were easily clogged by the mud/dirt in the ditch. Even traction control cannot create traction where there is none.

[Kuan]

Something might not have been working here. Was there ANY traction at all at ANY of the tires? How deep was the ditch and how wide was it? I'm having a tough time picturing this.

Kuan

The ditch is grassed, there was no tire clogging issue. A standard 4x4 will not cross it at all due to the loss of traction from opposing corner wheels, even one with limited slip. Lockers will enable a vehicle to cross, my Brunswick truck has locked diffs and has no problems but my 6x6 handles it anyway. (read as wife know knows not to try to follow that old truck) The indicated spin speed was as high as 10 mph, traction control was cycling but did not seem to be able to arrest the spin.

Yes I can return to the spot, at will, and create the same situation.

I am open for suggestions, before she really gets into the rough with the little truck.

I don't think anybody would argue that if they were in a G that this would not be a problem. It seems nobody wants to hurt anybody's feelings on this board. Bottom line, the G is a superior vehicle offroad compared to the M-class. Any one who wants to argue this point is not living in reality. For everyday life, the M-class is more appropriate for the average human. This doesn't make you a bad person, just a person with different needs. Owning a MB tells me you already own a vastly superior vehicle compared to the general public. Take your best shot.

Steve M.

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Steve,
We have already been through that and some people got a little overly enthusiastic and the moderator locked the thread down and then removed it. The next thread that was on the subject is "We've compared the ML & G. You can still read that one if you haven't already. As you can see it had a very constructive dialog. I have been working on trying to inject the idea that no matter what you drive enjoy the backcountry. Also people have come to realize that every vehicle has weaknesses. So we now are trying to help people by suggesting constructive ways to make a persons vehicle more capable no matter if it is an ML a G or a Mog. I am hopeing some of the knowledgable people that left will come back. So if you want to partisipate under these conditions; WELCOME to our friendly little forum

[G-Man]

If she is really going to get into the rough, I would suggest something better suited to it. I have been suspect of the traction control for some time now. It sounds as though the system was trying to arrest the spin but was unable. That is a little strange because the brakes, if used fully, can easily overpower the the engines attmpts to spin the wheels. Have you been to the dealer to make sure there are no fault codes? Did you select low range? It is possible that in high range you just did not have enough torque multiplication to turn the wheels that were touching.

If all checks out fine and you used low range, then you reached the trucks operational limit. If the ditch she crossed is something that needs to navigated often, or you intend to get into tougher stuff than that, you may have to consider a different vehicle. If a Gwagen is out of your range, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has a system of automatic locking diffs and coil sprung live axles that should easily get you through.

[el presidente]

Hi folks,

I dont have an ML, Mog or G wagen, but I have been to the M-Class plant in Alabama on several occasions (including the Grand Opening in 1997) and have had the opportunity to go on the off-road test track at their facility......

Bottom line...I was really impressed! I can't imagine many situations the ML coudn't handle.

My 1.5 cents

[G-Man]

Keep in mind that the test track was designed to show off the ML. I have designed a small test track for my G. The ML will not make it on my track. http://homepage.mac.com/brentholm/iMovieTheater3.html

The more I think about the original scenario, the more I think the ML would have been fine if low range was used. If Mark can try it agian in low, I would be very interested to hear how it went.

[el presidente]

Originally posted by G-Man
Keep in mind that the test track was designed to show off the ML.

I don't disagree with you there, G-Man. But hey...it's all marketing, right? Doesn't Europa have their own course that a Hummer can't get through?

I'm not here to take sides at all. Just giving an "outsider/non-owner's" view of one model.

But when I'm in the front seat on an ML320 in a very steep decent looking out the sunroof and seeing THE ROAD in front of me.....I gotta believe this SUV has got some decent merits.

Peace.

p.s. I really liked your movie

[G-Man]

I did not intend to take sides either, sorry if it sounded that way. Yes Europa has a pretty interesting test track too, it scared the heck out of me! My purpose was to illustrate that the tracks are just marketing tools,nothing wrong with that. What they will not do is demonstrate a weakness, that would be bad marketing right? What we may have stumbled upon here is a weakness in the traction control system in a real world situation.

I agree that the ML is a capable vehicle. It does not mean it can conquer all however. The 4ETS system is a compromise in comparison with the Gwagens lockers. It was certainly less expensive to bring to market and certainly serves its purpose well under most conditions. What more could 99% of suv buyers want? For the last 1% there is the no compromises Gwagen, the lack of compromises is reflected in its pricing.

Marks experience serves to illustrate exactly why I am leary of electronic traction control. It is impossible for computers to analyze and compensate for every given situation. In this case the Gwagen would have, without a doubt, simply driven right through this obstacle, possibly without even needing lockers due to its superior suspension travel. The ML is a great machine at a very reasonable price. This situation shows that indeed the premium, for the G, buys you extra capability. How many people really need the extra? Likely very few, that is what makes the ML so appealing.

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy All,
The ML has merit. No matter what machine you are driving there is some little thing that gets it stuck. I drove over a little mound several times useing my skid plate and had no problems then one day I didn't pay attention and stuck my Jeep right on top with no wheels touching. A little digging and rocking it up and down and I was out. So sometimes it just comes down to driver error, inexperence or trying to be too gentle on the machine. A little momentum will work wonders. 2¢