2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE transmission

252
Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
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cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
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 engine when the selector lever
is moved to a lower gear ran ge, t he tr an s mis sion will n ot
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
the engine’s rpm limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the
service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range. Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.
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.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km/h).
Note:
To avoid overrevving the engine on rpm limit, the
transmission will upshift automatically to the next
higher gear as long as the vehicle is accelerating.

253
Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data
Instruments
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DrivingInstrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1)
for Standard “S” and Winter / Wet (snow and ice) “W”
program modes.
The program mode currently selected is indicated in the
gear range indicator display.
S
Standard mode
Press switch. “S” is displayed in the gear range
indicator display, see page 249. Use this mode for
all regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.
Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly
(not into kickdown position) while driving
continuously, rather than depressing the
accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause
the automatic transmission to shift down into a
lower gear. This gear shifting process is
dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing
the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the
engine’s braking power during performance
driving.

254
Automatic transmission
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W Winter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch. “W” is displayed in the gear range
indicator display, see page 249. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode. Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.

255
Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
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Instruments
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DrivingInstrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Emergency operation (Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. S to p t h e ve h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

260
Driving instructions
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Parking Important! It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position “P” (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear). When parking on hills, always set the
parking brake.
Wa r n i n g !
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 service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P” (manual transmission: first or reverse gear).
4. Slowly release service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to starter switch position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when leaving.

264
Driving instructions
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DrivingInstrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N” or in case of manual
transmission declutch. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road. If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
O t h e rw i s e , d e a d ly c a r b o n m o n ox i d e ( CO ) ga s e s m ay
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

266
Driving instructions
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Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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Driving systems
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Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise
controlled speed: Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when
declutching exceeds four seconds during downshifting a
gear.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.