Mercedes-Benz 2003 C 240 Automobile User Manual


 
46
Getting started
Driving
̈ Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle 2.
The indicator lamp
; (USA only)
or
3 (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving
̈ Depress the brake pedal.
̈ Move selector lever to position D or R
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
̈ Release the brake pedal.
̈ Carefully depress the accelerator.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion engages at a higher revolution. This al-
lows the catalytic converter to reach its
operating temperature earlier.
More information on driving can be found
in the “Operation” section (
page 223).
i
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
i
You can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
!
Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.
!
If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
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
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
It is dangerous to shift the 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 en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.