2006 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 201

Controls in detail Automatic transmission ! Allow engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Shift into reverse gear R or park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. With drive position D selected, you can use the steering wheel gearshift control buttons ( page 206) to influence transmission shifting by: limiting the gear range changing gears manually Transmission positions Effect ! SmartKey: If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey and remove the SmartKey from the starter switch, the transmission will shift to park position P automatically. Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the transmission to P. Only when the SmartKey is removed from the starter switch, will the transmission automatically shift to P. KEYLESS-GO*: If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the driver's door, the transmission will shift to park position P automatically. Keep in mind that turning off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not automatically shift the transmission to P. Only when the driver's door is opened, will the transmission automatically shift to P. ì Park position Shift into park position P only when vehicle is stopped. The park position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always set the parking brake in addition to shifting into park position P to secure the vehicle. If the vehicle's electrical system is malfunctioning, the automatic transmission could remain locked in park position P. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. 200