2003 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 42

Getting started Driving Driving Place the gear selector lever in position D or R. Release the brake pedal. Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down. After a cold start, the transmission engages at a higher revolution. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating temperature earlier. ! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear. i Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion. Warning! G i You can open a locked door from the inside. Open door only when conditions are safe to do so. Warning! G ! If you hear a warning signal when driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake. 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. 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. 42