2007 Mercedes GL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 353

Operation Driving instructions Parking brake When driving on wet roads or dirt covered surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into the parking brake. To prevent corrosion and a reduction in the braking power of the parking brake, observe the following: From time to time, lightly engage the parking brake before driving off. Drive a distance of approximately 110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Warning! Driving off Apply the brakes to test them briefly after driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road is clear of other traffic. Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Parking Warning! G G ! When driving off on a slippery surface, do not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP® switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. ! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brake reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear. Do not park this vehicle in areas where combustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire. To reduce the risk of personal injury or damage to the vehicle drivetrain as a result of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle always: Keep right foot on brake pedal. Firmly depress parking brake pedal. Set the automatic transmission to position P. Slowly release brake pedal. When parked on an incline, turn front wheel towards the road curb. While performing this procedure, please assure that the vehicle is stopped before applying the parking brake. Otherwise the rear wheels could lock up. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's brake lights do not light up when the parking brake is engaged. Make sure not to endanger any other road users when you engage the parking brake. 352