2010 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 108

106 Driving and parking is restricted in order to protect it from damage. Avoid driving your vehicle at full speed when the engine is cold to prevent premature engine wear and/or diminished comfort. ! Only shift the automatic transmission into reverse gear R or park position P when the vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged. X X Controls in detail ! If an acoustic warning sounds 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. ! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This 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 brakes reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. i Once the vehicle is in motion, the automatic central locking function engages and the locking knobs in the doors move down. The automatic central locking function can be switched off (Y page 135). Automatic transmission It is dangerous to shift the automatic transmission out of park position P or neutral position 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. Depress the brake pedal. The gear selector lever can now be used. Shift the automatic transmission into drive position D or reverse gear R. i Shifting the automatic transmission out of park position P is only possible with the brake pedal depressed. Without the brake pedal depressed, the gear selector lever can be moved up or down. However, the parking pawl remains engaged, not allowing shifting to occur. X G Warning! Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion. X If engaged, release the parking brake. X Release the brake pedal. X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. After a cold start, the automatic transmission shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to reach its operating temperature earlier. For more information on driving, see "Driving instructions" (Y page 244). For information on off-road driving, see "Offroad driving" (Y page 248). Problems while driving The engine runs erratically and misfires RGasoline RThe engine: An ignition cable may be damaged. engine electronics may not be operating properly. engine: Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it. RGasoline