Mercedes-Benz SLR-Class 2005 - Manual (Page 51)

50
Getting started
Driving
̈ Pull lever 2 upwards slightly, press re-
lease knob 1 and move the lever
down to the stop.
The warning lamp ; (USA only)
or 3 (Canada only) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Driving
̈ Depress the brake pedal.
̈ Place the gear selector lever in
position D or R.
̈ Release the brake pedal.
̈ Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages.
After a cold start, the transmission engag-
es at a higher revolution. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out of P or N if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate 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.
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.
!
In order to avoid damage to the trans-
mission:
ț Wait for the gear selection process
to complete before setting the vehi-
cle in motion.
ț Place the gear selector lever in
position R or P only when the vehi-
cle is stopped.
!
If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speed. Running a cold engine at high
engine speed may shorten the service
life of the engine.