Mercedes Benz 2009 M-Class User Manual

Page of 585
58
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 187).
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator 
pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution. 
This allows the catalytic converter (gaso-
line engine) or the oxidation catalyst (die-
sel engine) to reach its operating 
temperature earlier.
i
Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete 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.
!
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).
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 176).
You can open a locked door from the inside. 
Open door only when conditions are safe to do 
so.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift 
in order to obtain braking action. This could 
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission 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.