1999 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS automatic transmission

Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission selects individual gears automatically, dependent upon
• Selector lever position
• Program mode selector
• Accelerator position
• Vehicle speed

Important !

When parking the car or before working on the vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the parking brake
pedal and shift the selector lever into "P".


Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in position "P". To move the selector lever out of position "P", the
service brake pedal must be firmly depressed before the shift lock will release. Shift selector lever to the desired
position only when the engine is idling normally and the service brake is applied. Do not release the brake until
ready to drive. The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the selector lever is in drive or reverse position.

Warning !
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 car could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the car and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling
normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

Important !
After selecting any driving position from "N" or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.


Accelerator Position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum acceleration.
Once the desired speed is attained, ease up on t he accelerator - the transmission shifts up again.




Selector Lever Positions

The automatic gear shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.

P - Parking position.
The parking position is to be used when parking t he vehicle. Engage only with the car stopped. The parking
position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always use
the parking brake in addition to placing the selector lever in park to secure the vehicle.

Note:
The electronic key can be removed from the steering lo ck only with the foot off the brake pedal and the selector
lever in position "P". With the electronic key removed, the selector lever is locked in position "P".


R - Reverse gear. Shift to reverse gear only with the car stopped.
N - Neutral.
No power is transmitted from the engine to the rear axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage "N" while driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads, see Winter driving Instructions in Index).





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Important !
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason with selector lever in "N" can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


D - The transmission automatically upshifts through 5th gear . Position "D" provides optimum driving characteristics
under all normal operating conditions.
4 - Upshift through 4th gear only.
Suitable for performance driving. To shift from position "D" to "4", push selector lever to the left.
3 - Upshift through 3rd gear only.
Suitable for moderately steep hill s. Since the transmission does not shift hi gher than 3rd gear, this gear selection
will allow use of the engine's braking power downhill.
2 - Upshift through 2nd gear only.
For driving in mountainous regions or under extreme operating conditions. This gear selection will allow use of the
engine's braking power when descending steep grades.
1 - In this position, the engine's
braking effect is utilized by shifting into 1 st gea r. Use this position while descending very steep or lengthy
downgrades and only at speeds below 40 mph (60 km/h).


Important !
With selector lever in position "D", "4" or "3", upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed depending on vehicle
speed and engine temperature. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift and increased engine noise might be perceived as a malfunction.
However, neither the engine nor transmission are negatively affected by this mode of operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C). To avoid overrevving the engi ne when the selector lever is moved to a lower driving
range, the transmission will not shift to a lower gear as l ong as the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit of that gear.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPMs, do not allow the engine speed to drop too low on uphill gradients.
Depending on the degree of the incline, shift selector feve r to a lower gear range early enough to maintain engine
RPM within the best torque range.

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in rear wheel
slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's AB S will not prevent this type of loss of control.

Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a parki ng space, control the car speed by gradually releasing the
brakes. Accelerate gently and never abr uptly step on the accelerator. To rock a car out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying slight partial throttle. Rocking a car free in this manner may
cause the ABS malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.

Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service brake. For longer
stops with the engine idling, shift into "N" or "P" and hold t he vehicle with the service brake. When stopping the car on
an uphill incline, do not hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids unnecessary transmission heat build
up.

Warning !

Getting out of your car with the selector lever not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous. Also, when
parked on an incline, position "P" alone may not pr event your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects. Always set the parking brake in addition to sh ifting to position "P". When parked on an incline,
also turn front wheel against curb.

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Odometer Display Field
(Models C 280 and C 43 AMG)

Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2 and wait until the symbols
and appears in the
odometer display field. Within 1 second press button 0 twice.


The following messages are available:
"OK"
"-1.0 Q" (Canada: -1.0 L)
"-1.5 Q" (Canada: -1.5L)
"-2.0 Q" (Canada: -2.0 L)
Add oil to upper (max) mark of the dipstick."HI"

Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could caus e damage to engine and catalytic converter not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limi ted Warranty. The symbol
flashes in the odometer field if a proper oil level check
cannot be performed. The oil level check
can be repeated after a short while. Perform the oil level check with the dipstick, if it cannot be completed via the
odometer display field. In this case we recommend that you have the system checked at a Mercedes-Benz dealer.


Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic tran smission fluid. Regular automatic transmission fluid
level checks and changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is omitted. If you notice fluid leaks or
gear shifting malfunctions, have your authorized Mercede s-Benz dealer check the transmission fluid level.


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Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. - Capacities

Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match Therefore use only brands tested and
recommended by us. Please refer to the Factory Approv ed Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Model Capacity Fuels, coolan ts,
lubricants etc
Engine with
oil filter C 230 6.5 US qt (6.2 l)
C 280 8.5US qt 8.0 l)
C 43 AMG 7.9US qt 7.5 l)
Recommended
engine oils
Automatic transmission C 230 7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
C 280 7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
C 43 AMG 9.9 US qt (9.4 l)
Automatic
transmissio
n fluid
Rear axle C 230
C 280 1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
C 43 AMG 1.4 US qt(1.3 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAL
90, 85 W 90
Power steering approx 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power steering
fluid
Front wheel hubs

approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature
roller bearing grease

Accelerator
control linkage


Hydraulic fluid
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 I) MB Brake fluid (DOT
4)
Windshield washer

and headlamp
cleaning system
approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 I)
MB Windshield
washe

r
concentrate "S"
1
Cooling system C 220 approx. 10.0 US qt (9.5 I
C 280
C 36 AMG
approx. 10.6 US qt 10.0 I)
approx. 11.8 US qt (11.2 I
MB
Anticorrosion/antifreez
Fuel tank including
a reserve of
approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 I)
approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 I)
Premium unleaded
gasoline:
Posted O
c

tane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86
MON)
Air conditioner system

R-134a refrigerant
and special
lubricant (Never R-12)

Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate "S" and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer
Con c

entrate "S" and commercially available premixed windsh ield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below
freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios, see Windshield/Headlamp Washer System in Index.


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