138 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Gear
range
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts
through second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving
on steep downgrades
in mountainous regions
under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates
only in first gear
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep
or lengthy downgrades.
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
positionP when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP. With the key re-
moved, the selector lever is locked in
positionP.
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.
Effect
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
Do not engage N while driving ex-
cept:
to coast when the vehicle is in
danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads) when the ESP is deactivat-
ed or malfunctioning
when you have to shift the trans-
fer case
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
