Page 185 of 506

183 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Manual shift program E 55 AMG
In the manual program mode M you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 181) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 176).The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S)
are indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 174).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
manual shift program mode M appears
in the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Page 186 of 506

184 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionDownshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction
(page 176).
or
Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Upshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction
(page 176).
or
Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel (
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
If, instead of the manual program mode
symbol
M, thep symbol appears in
the multifunction display (
page 174),
shift to the next higher gear. The fuel
supply will otherwise be interrupted to
prevent the engine from overrevving.
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.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.
!In the manual program modeM, the
transmission will not upshift, even if
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Shift up to the next gear before
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red
marking on the tachometer
(page 24). Otherwise the engine
could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Page 187 of 506
185 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 179) repeatedly
until
Cor
S appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Move gear selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least ten seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to positionD
(for second gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 196 of 506
194 Controls in detailDual-zone automatic climate controlDepending on production date, your vehi-
cle is equipped with either climate control
panel design A or B.Climate control panel design A1
Left-side temperature control
2
Windshield defroster
3
Increase air volume
4
Air distribution
5
Rear window defroster
6
Right-side temperature control
7
Residual heat/ventilation
8
AC cooling on/off
9
Air distribution display
a
Climate control on/off
b
Air volume display
c
Decrease air volume
d
Air recirculation
e
Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
Page 197 of 506
195 Controls in detail
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Climate control panel design B1
Left-side temperature control
2
Windshield defroster
3
Increase air volume
4
Air distribution
5
Rear window defroster
6
Right-side temperature control
7
AC cooling on/off
8
Air distribution display
9
Climate control on/off
a
Air volume display
b
Decrease air volume
c
Air recirculation
d
Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
Page 200 of 506

198 Controls in detailDual-zone automatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Adjusting manually
Use air distribution control4
(page 194) or (
page 195) to adjust the
air distribution.
Press air distribution rocker switch4
(page 194) or (
page 195) until the
display shows the desired setting.
The indicator lamp on the buttonU
goes out and the current air distribu-
tion appears in the air distribution
display9 (
page 194) or 8
(
page 195).Adjusting automatically
Press button U(
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air distribution is adjust-
ed automatically.
Adjusting center air vents:
The thumbwheels for left2 and right6
(
page 192) center air vents are automat-
ically positioned for optimum interior air-
flow. In this position, center air vent4
(page 192) and adjustable left and right
center vents3 and5 (
page 192) are
fully opened.
Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 52).
Press button U(
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Adjusting air volume
Adjusting manually
Five blower speeds are available.
Press to decrease orQ to in-
crease air volume (
page 194) or
(
page 195) to the desired level.
The indicator lamp on the Ubutton
(page 194) or (
page 195) goes
out. The selected blower speed is
shown in the display.
Adjusting automatically
Press the U button (
page 194) or
(
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the Ubutton
comes on. The air volume is adjusted
automatically.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the center,
side and rear passenger com-
partment air vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
X
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells
Page 207 of 506
205 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control*
1
Climate control panel
2
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left center air vent
3
Left center air vent, adjustable
4
Air vent, fixed
5
Right center air vent, adjustable
6
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right center air vent
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for side air vent
8
Side defroster vent, fixed
9
Side air vent, adjustable
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for side air vent
2
Side air vent, adjustable
1
Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2
Right rear center air vent, adjust-
able
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right rear center air vent
4
Temperature rocker switch, right
5
Display
6
Temperature rocker switch, left
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left rear center air vent
Page 208 of 506
206 Controls in detail4-zone automatic climate control*Depending on production date, your vehi-
cle is equipped with either climate control panel design A or B.Climate control panel design A1
Air distribution, left
2
Defrosting
3
Temperature rocker switch, left
4
Display
5
Temperature rocker switch, right
6
Rear window defroster
7
Air distribution, right
8
Air distribution and air volume, right
(automatic, manual)
9
AC cooling on/off
a
Rear air-conditioning remote control
b
Increase air volume
c
Climate control on/off
d
Decrease air volume
e
Residual heat/ventilation
f
Air recirculation
g
Air distribution and air volume, left
(automatic, manual)