Mercedes-Benz 2006 CL-Class, Owner'S Manual

Page: 411 / 555

390
Operation
Driving tips
You will find basic driving tips in the "Driv-
ing and parking" section ( page 256).
On long and steep downhill gradients, es-
pecially if the vehicle is laden, you must se-
lect shift range 1 , 2 or 3 in good time.
i
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, Distronic* or Distronic Plus* .
This will use the braking effect of the
engine, so less braking will be required to
maintain the speed. This relieves the load
on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking, de-
press the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously.
Do not park the vehicle immediately after
the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load. Drive on for a short while instead. The
airflow will cool the brakes more quickly.
The following may occur if you have driven
for a long time in heavy rain without brak-
ing:
The brakes respond with a delay.
You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly.
You must therefore maintain a greater dis-
tance from the vehicle in front.
Driving tips
Coasting with the engine switched
off
G
Risk of accident
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing and the service brake when the engine is
not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not switch off the engine while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
Braking
G
Risk of accident
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.
G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. by apply-
ing constant slight pedal pressure.
This causes the brake system to overheat,
increases the braking distance and can lead
to the brakes failing completely.
G
Risk of accident
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
216_RE_2006-12a.book Seite 390 Montag, 2. Oktober 2006 12:06 12