2008 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 58

Getting started Driving ! 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 56). Warning! G ! Shift the automatic transmission to position P or R only when the vehicle is stopped in order to avoid damaging the transmission. ! Do not run cold engine at high engine speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. ! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear. For more information, see "Driving instructions" ( page 339). 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 183). 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. Warning! G 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. 57