2001 Mercedes SLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 159

Instruments and controls Operation Driving Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Driving instructions Caution! When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use the engine's braking power. This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear. After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream will cool down the brakes faster. Driving off Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road is clear of other traffic. Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 156 Parking Warning! To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of vehicle movement, before turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle, always: 1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal. 2. Firmly engage parking brake. 3. Move the selector lever to position "P" (manual transmission: first or reverse gear). 4. Slowly release the service brake pedal. 5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb. 6. Turn the key to steering lock position 0 and remove. 7. Take the key and lock vehicle when leaving.