R
the seat belt has been fastened
R
you depress the accelerator pedal
If the automatic transmission is in position R,
the trunk lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R
the driver's door is closed.
R
you have shifted out of transmission position
P or you have previously driven faster than
2 mph (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the accelerator
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the parking
brake will be released and the vehicle will start
to move.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake.
X
While driving, push handle
:
of the electric
parking brake (
Y
page 190).
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
handle
:
of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer electric parking brake
handle
:
is depressed, the greater the brak-
ing force.
During braking:
R
a warning tone sounds
R
the
Please Release Parking Brake
mes-
sage appears
R
the red
F
(USA only) or
!
(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: observe the impor-
tant safety notes for the high-voltage battery
(
Y
page 374).
Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G
WARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit the driver from using a mobile phone while
driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers a
distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per sec-
ond.
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Observe the following tips to save fuel:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the rec-
ommended tire pressure.
X
Remove unnecessary loads.
X
Remove roof racks when they are not needed.
X
Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X
Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X
Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the Main-
192
Driving tips
Dr
iving
and
par
king
