2003 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 46

Getting started Driving Release the parking brake by pulling on handle 2. The indicator lamp ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only) in the instrument cluster goes out. Driving Depress the brake pedal. Move selector lever to position D or R (manual transmission: first or reverse gear). i You can open a locked door from the inside. Open door only when conditions are safe to do so. Warning! G ! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear. On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control. Warning! G i Vehicles with automatic transmission: Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion. Release the brake pedal. Carefully depress the accelerator. Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down. ! If you hear a warning signal when driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake. After a cold start, the automatic transmission engages at a higher revolution. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier. Vehicles with automatic transmission: It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P or N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. More information on driving can be found in the "Operation" section ( page 223). 46