Mercedes-Benz M-Class Owner's Manual page 165

Driving tips
162
the seat belt is fastened.
R
you depress the accelerator pedal.
R
If the transmission is in position R, the boot
lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
the driver's door is closed.
R
you have shifted out of transmission posi-
R
tion P or you have previously driven faster
than 3 km/h.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency using the electric parking brake.
While driving, push handle : of the electric
X
parking brake (
i
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
a warning tone sounds.
R
the Release parking brake
R
appears.
the red ! indicator lamp in the instru-
R
ment cluster flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking up the vehicle
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than four weeks, the battery may be damaged
by exhaustive discharge.
Disconnect the battery (
X
connect it to a trickle charger.
i
You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre.
page 161).
Y
message
page 346) or
Y
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer dam-
age as a result of lack of use.
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
X
seek advice.
Driving tips
General driving tips
Coasting with the engine switched off
G
WARNING
Never switch the engine off while the vehicle
is in motion.
There is no power assistance for the service
brake when the engine is not running.
You will require considerably more effort to
brake and you could therefore lose control of
the vehicle and cause an accident.
Engine oil
! Vehicles with a diesel particle filter:
If the vehicle is mostly driven for short dis-
tances, it is possible that malfunctions may
occur during the automatic cleaning of the
diesel particle filter. This can lead to engine
damage. Therefore, if you frequently drive
short distances, make sure to drive on
motorways or country roads for 20 minutes
at least every 500 km.
Brakes
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.