2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS COUPE automatic transmission

112 Controls in detailLightingDaytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU .
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the fol-
lowing lamps will switch on additional-
ly.

Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to position B to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps. Canada only
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to position
N or P,
the low beam headlamps will switch off
with a three-minute time delay.
When the engine is running, and you


turn the exterior lamp switch to
position C, the parking lamps
switch on additionally.


turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime
running.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 110). USA only
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime run-
ning lamp mode using the control system,
see “Setting daytime running lamp mode
(USA only)” (
page 144).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position C
or B , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 110).
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and night security illu-
mination are described in the control sys-
tem section, see “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 145) and “Headlamps delayed
shut off” (
page 146).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch
in position M, the high beam head-
lamps cannot be switched on.

115
Controls in detail
Lighting
Driving forward
Switching on cornering fog lamps
Depending on whether you are turning
left or right, switch on the left or right
turn signal (
page 52).
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the road into which you
are turning. Switching off cornering fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
cornering fog lamps if they were activated
by switching on the left or right turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and cornering
fog lamp can be switched off by returning
the combination switch to its original posi-
tion. Driving rearward
Switching on cornering fog lamps

Place the gear selector lever (manual
transmission: gearshift lever) in
position
R.
The inverse front fog lamp comes on
automatically depending on the
steering direction and steering angle.
Switching off cornering fog lamps

Place the gear selector lever (manual
transmission: gearshift lever) out of
position R.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
iThe cornering fog lamps will come on
automatically depending on the steer-
ing angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal. If the cornering fog
lamps came on automatically, they will
also go out automatically depending on
the steering angle.

123
Controls in detail
Control system
 Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position 1. The control system
enables you to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control
system to find out when your vehicle is
next due for service, to set the language
for messages in the instrument cluster
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1 Trip odometer
2 Main odometer
3 Current program mode (automatic
transmission*)
4 Current gear selector lever
position/gear range (automatic trans-
mission*)
5 Digital clock
6 Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
iThe displays for the audio systems
(radio and CD player) will appear in
English, regardless of the language
selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.

159
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
 Automatic transmission*
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission, see “Automatic
transmission*” (
page 49).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionThe automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever
position D(
page 162) with gear
ranges 4, 3 , 2 , 1 (
page 161)


the selected program mode ( C/S)
(page 164)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 165)


the vehicle speed 1
Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2 Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S) appear
in the multifunction display.
An additional indication of the current gear
selector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate.
The indicators come on when you activate
a switch (e.g. unlocking the vehicle or
opening a door) and go out after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

160 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by:

limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in position D.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 161). Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the
D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear 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 vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle 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.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
the D-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.

161
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Canceling gear range limit
Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the
D+direction until
D reappears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear range D.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in position D,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left ( D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right ( D+).
The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display. If you press on the
accelerator when the engine has reached
its rpm limit, the transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Effect
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
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 in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

162 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Gear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
position P to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
position P. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in position P.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in position P
(page 380).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
position R only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
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).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engage N while
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever to N
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are available.

163
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
in N can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in position P
is dangerous. Also, position P alone is not
intended to or capable of preventing your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position P (
page 50).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could move the gear selector lever from
position P, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.