2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG Owner's Manual

184 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionActivating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for the
manual program modeM appears in
the tachometer 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.Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
or

Briefly press button2 on the right
side of the steering wheel
(page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.Downshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
or

Briefly press button1 on the left side
of the steering wheel (
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.
iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift
program” (
page 179), “Gear selector
lever one-touch gearshifting”
(
page 180), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gearshift-
ing S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG”
(page 181).
iThe manual program modeM will not
be stored. When the engine is turned
off with the manual program modeM
selected, the transmission will go to
the automatic program mode (CorS)
when the engine is restarted.
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.

185 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
The kickdown can also be used for
maximum acceleration when driving in the
manual program modeM.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear.

Shift up once the desired speed has
been reached.Deactivating manual shift program

Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 183) repeatedly
until
Cor
S appears in the tachometer
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.
iWhen driving at full throttle, the trans-
mission shifts to the next higher gear
when maximum engine speed has been
reached.

186 Controls in detailGood visibilityFor information on the windshield wipers,
see “Windshield wipers” (
page 52).Headlamp cleaning system*
(Standardon S500, S600, S55AMG
and S 65 AMG)
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Press switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 296).
Rear view mirrors
For information on setting the rear view
mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 41).
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when


the ignition is switched on
and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The interior rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on

187 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward to the stored position.
Make sure you have stored a parking
position for the passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror (
page 130).

Make sure the
MIRROR SETTING WHEN
PARKING
function in the
CONVENIENCE

submenu of the control system is
switched to
ON (page 170).

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the rear window sun
shade* is in raised position.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may
escape from the mirror housing if the mirror
glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al-
low the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state by applying plenty of water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
side rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.


188 Controls in detailGood visibility1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror button
Press button2 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.

Place the gear selector lever in reverse
gearR.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror will be turned downward to the
stored position.The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
previously stored driving position:


ten seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever out of positionR


immediately once your vehicle exceeds
a speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h)


immediately when you press button1
for driver’s side mirror.
Power folding exterior rear view mir-
rorsFolding exterior rear view mirrors in
and out automatically
When the corresponding function in the
control system is activated (
page 172):


The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold in as soon as the vehicle is
locked from the outside.


The exterior rear view mirrors automat-
ically fold out as soon as the vehicle is
unlocked and the driver’s or front pas-
senger door are subsequently opened.
!Before driving the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, fold the exterior
mirrors in. Otherwise they may get
damaged.
iIf you are driving at more than approxi-
mately 9mph (15km/h), you will not
be able to fold the exterior mirrors in.


189 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Folding exterior rear view mirrors in
and out manually
The exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if
they are not folded out completely.
The buttons are located on the driver’s
door.
1Folds the exterior mirrors out
2Folds the exterior mirrors in
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).Folding in

Press button2 briefly.
Both mirrors fold in.Folding out

Press button1 briefly.
Both mirrors fold out.!If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed forward (hit from the
rear), reposition it manually by applying
firm pressure until it snaps back into
place.
If an exterior rear view mirror housing
is forcibly pushed rearward (hit from
the front), press button2 to fold mir-
rors in, then press button1 to fold
mirrors out. Do not force mirrors by
hand as this may damage the adjust-
ment mechanism.

190 Controls in detailGood visibilitySun visors
The sun visors protect you from sun glare
while driving.Glare from the front
1Mounting
2Sun visor

Swing sun visor2 down.Glare from the front and sides

Swing sun visor2 down.

Disengage sun visor2 from
mounting1.

Pivot sun visor to the side.
Warning!
G
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors closed
while vehicle is in motion. Reflected glare
can endanger you and others.iFor information on vanity mirrors
(page 241).

191 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window sunshade
The switch is located on the upper part of
the front center console.
1Rear window sunshade switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Press switch 1 briefly to raise the sun-
shade.

Press switch 1 briefly to lower the
sunshade.
Always raise the sunshade fully for its sup-
port against the window frame.
Rear side window sunshade*
To raise sunshade pull on the tab and
engage in holder.

To lower sunshade disengage tab and
guide retraction.
Warning!
G
When operating the rear window sunshade,
be sure that there is no danger of anyone be-
ing harmed by the raising or lowering proce-
dure.
The raising or lowering procedure can be im-
mediately reversed by pressing switch1.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment can cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!Always guide the sunshade. Do not let
it snap back abruptly, as the retractor
could be damaged.