2007 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 59

Getting started Driving Driving off Depress the brake pedal. The gear selector lever can now be used. Shift automatic transmission to D or R ( page 199). ! If you hear a warning signal and the message Release parking brake appears in the multifunction display when driving off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake ( page 57). Warning! G i Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic central locking system engages and the locking knobs drop down. The automatic door lock feature can be deactivated ( page 189). You can open a locked door from the inside. Open door only when conditions are safe to do so. 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. i Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion. i Shifting from gear position P to position R, N, or D is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear selector lever can be moved, but the parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur. Warning! G Release the brake pedal. Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. After a cold start, the automatic transmission shifts at a higher engine revolution. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to reach its operating temperature earlier. It is dangerous to shift the gear 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. 58