197 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” the maximum speed in the
reverse gear is different. However, it is not
possible to change the program mode while in
reverse.
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive 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 page 209 for winter driving
instructions).
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.
Drive
The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.Gear selection for special circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances
can be selected by pressing the selector lever to the
right or the left with the selector lever in position “D”.
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission downshifts, one gear at a time, in the
order “4”, “3”, “2”, “1”.
Press and hold selector lever in the ç direction:
The selector lever position display will switch to the
gear range currently selected by the automatic
transmission.
The transmission will only shift down one gear if the
gear range currently selected has already shifted to its
highest possible gear.
Briefly press selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range “D”, an additional upshift of one
gear is possible.
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200 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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.
SStandard mode
Press switch on symbol “S”. Use this mode for all
regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = d epr es sin g t he acce ler ator p ed al q uick ly
(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.
WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. 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.
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201 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Caution!
Never change the pr ogram mod e when t he se lec tor 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.
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.
With a malfunction in the vehicles electrical system the
selector lever may be locked in position “P”. To unlock
the selector lever manually, see page 287.
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209 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, see page 220.
Model E 55 AMG:
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire size
275 / 35 ZR 18.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”. 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 af ter being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking ef f iciency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.
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331 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy ..................................................................... 129
Front center console
compartment ventilation .................................... 133
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlet ............................................. 134
Rear window defroster ............................................. 130
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 132
Special settings ......................................................... 129
Automatic transmission ............................................... 193
Emergency operation ............................................... 201
Fluid level ...................................................................263
Program mode selector switch ............................... 200
Selector lever position .............................................. 196
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................. 287
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 66
Self-test ......................................................................... 66
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 237
Battery .............................................................................280
Battery recycling ....................................................... 281
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ......................242Block heater .................................................................... 211
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 243
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 237
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 324
BRAKE FLUID -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 244
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 244
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 244
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 235
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 235
Brakes .................................................... 204, 215, 217, 220
Bulbs
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 288
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .............................. 322
Cargo tie-down hooks .................................................... 169
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 188
CD changer ...................................................................... 148
Audio systems ..............................................................97
Cellular telephone .......................................................... 170
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332 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 35
Central locking system ................................................... 27
Automatic central locking ......................................... 36
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 30
Electronic main key .................................................... 25
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 29
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 32
Remote control ............................................................ 25
Summer opening/convenience feature ................... 31
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 234
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 231
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ...................................117
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................262
Child restraint .....................................................59, 66, 77
Child seat
Infant and child restraint systems ........................... 77
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .................................304
Clock, setting ................................................................... 111
Coin holder in glove box lid ......................................... 163
COMAND, radio and telephone ....................................176
Combination switch ...................................................... 122
Consumer information .................................................. 328
Control and operation of radio transmitters ..............176COOLANT (coolant level) -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 246
Coolant level .................................................................. 263
Adding coolant .......................................................... 264
Checking .................................................................... 263
COOLANT TEMP. -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 247
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................90
Coolants .......................................................................... 326
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 327
Cruise control ................................................................. 212
Cup holder
In center console ....................................................... 165
In glove box lid .......................................................... 163
In rear bench armrest ............................................... 162
DDaytime running lamps ................................................120
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 211
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 241
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems) -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 241
Display illumination ........................................................89
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