2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 page

365 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
Manually engaging electric parking
brake
Press handle1.
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster comes on.
Automatically engaging electric parking
brake
Your vehicle’s electric parking brake is au-
tomatically engaged when DISTRONIC
Plus* (
page 385) brings your vehicle to a
standstill and at least one of the following
conditions is met:


The engine is switched off


The driver’s door is opened and the
seat belt is not inserted in the belt
buckle


The hood is released


The trunk lid is open while gear R is en-
gaged


The vehicle is parked for an extended
period
The red indicator lamp 0 (USA only) or
! (Canada only) in the instrument clus-
ter comes on.
Emergency braking with electric park-
ing brake
In an emergency situation, you can also
brake your vehicle while driving by using
the electric parking brake.

While driving, press handle for electric
parking brake (
page 364).During the braking procedure, the red indi-
cator lamp 0 (USA only) or !
(Canada only) flashes in the instrument
cluster, the message “Please release park-
ing brake” appears on the multifunction
display and you will hear a warning tone.
Once the vehicle comes to a complete stop
the electronic parking brake will engage.
Turning off the engine
i
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
i
You can also engage the electric parking
brake when the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch.
i
In addition to the electric parking brake,
park position P can be automatically engaged.
i
Your vehicle will be braked for as long as you
press and hold the switch for the electric parking
brake. The longer you keep the electric parking
brake pressed, the more strongly your vehicle
will be braked. This method occurs on all
4 wheels, not just the rear wheels.
Warning!
G
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the en-
gine not running, there is no power assis-
tance for the brake and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to brake and steer the vehicle.i
With the SmartKey removed from the starter
switch or the engine turned off with
KEYLESS-GO* and the driver’s door open, a
warning sounds if the parking lamps or low beam


366 Controls in detailDriving and parking
Shift the automatic transmission toP.
Turning off with SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 315) and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 317) to turn off the en-
gine.
With the driver’s door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 315).
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 340).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
headlamps are switched on.
The message: “Please switch off lights” appears
in the multifunction display.i
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
i
If the engine can no longer be stopped using
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, the engine can
be turned off by withdrawing two fuses. For more
information, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 648).
i
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the automatic transmission in a posi-
tion other than P, the transmission will automat-
ically shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission to P.Only when the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch will the transmission automatical-
ly shift to P.
i
In an emergency you can turn off the engine
while driving by pressing and holding the
KEYLESS-GO start/ stop button for approxi-
mately 3 seconds.
i
If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the automatic transmission in
a position other than P, the transmission will au-
tomatically shift toP.Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not au-
tomatically shift the transmission to P. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
i
If you drive through an automatic conveyor
type car wash, you can switch on the ignition
with the KEYLESS-GO button and engage gear N
or insert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
!
M a k e s u r e t h e s e a t b e l t r e t r a c t s f u l l y s o t h a t
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim pan-
el. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.


367 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 359).
Your vehicle’s automatic transmission
adapts its gear shifting process to your in-
dividual driving style by continually adjust-
ing the shift points up or down. These shift
point adjustments are performed based on
current operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gear selector lever
The gear selector lever is located on the
right of the steering column.Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
i
During the brief warm-up, automatic trans-
mission upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to op-
erating temperature.Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.
i
The current automatic transmission
positionP, R, N orD appears in the tachometer
display (
page 370).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out of park positionP or neutral
positionN 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.

368 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionShifting from P to N
Moving the gear selector lever up or down
shifts the automatic transmission out of
park positionP:
With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Move gear selector lever up or down to
resistance point to select neutral
positionN.
Shifting from N to R or from N to D

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Move gear selector lever up past the
resistance point to select reverse
gearR.
or

Move gear selector down past the
resistance point to select drive
positionD.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator pedal
to drive off when it is safe to do so.
The electric parking brake is automati-
cally released (
page 364).
The red brake warning 0 (USA only)
or ! (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Shifting from P to R

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Move gear selector lever up past the
resistance point to select reverse
gearR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator pedal
to drive off when it is safe to do so.Shifting from P to D

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Move gear selector lever down past the
resistance point to select drive
positionD.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator pedal
to drive off when it is safe to do so.
Shifting from D, R, or N to P
If you want to select park positionP with
the automatic transmission being in drive
positionD, reverse gearR or neutral
positionN:
i
The gear selector lever returns to its original
position.
i
The gear selector lever returns to its original
position.
i
The gear selector lever returns to its original
position.
i
When driving off, the electric parking brake
is released automatically (
page 364).
i
The gear selector lever returns to its original
position.
i
When driving off, the electric parking brake
is released automatically (
page 364).

369 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Press button at the end of the gear
selector lever in direction of arrow
(page 367) to select park positionP.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting from D or R to N
If you want to select neutral positionN
with the automatic transmission being in
drive positionD or reverse gearR:

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Move gear selector lever up to resis-
tance point when in drive position D or
down to resistance point when in
reverse gear R to select neutral
positionN.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

drive positionD(
page 370) with
gear ranges (
page 372)


the selected program mode (C/S)
(page 374)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 373)


the vehicle speed
With drive positionD selected, you can use
the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons (
page 375) to influence auto-
matic transmission shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
!
Shift the automatic transmission directly
from drive positionD to reverse gearR, from
reverse gearR to drive positionD or directly to
park positionP only when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
When trying to free a vehicle stuck in mud or
snow, see “Rocking the vehicle” (
page 373).
i
When the vehicle needs to be moved with
the engine switched off and the automatic trans-
mission set to neutral positionN (
page 371),
e.g. in an automatic car wash, do not press the
handle for electric parking brake.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR 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 surfac-
es. This may cause serious damage to the driv-
etrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

371 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Even though this is possible, make it a practice
to always shift into park positionP before turning
off the engine and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or when using KEYLESS-GO*,
before turning off the engine with the start/stop
button and opening the driver’s door.!
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN (for example when the vehicle
is pulled through a car wash)


do not remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*


do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* and open
the driver’s door
Otherwise, the automatic transmission will shift
to park positionP and lock the wheels, prevent-
ing the vehicle from being pulled through a car
wash.
Effect
í
Reverse gear
Shift into reverse gearR only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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 automat-
ic transmission, avoid shifting
into neutral positionN while
driving.
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Shift into neutral positionN only
if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The automatic transmission
shifts automatically. All forward
gears are available.
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason in neutral positionN can result in auto-
matic transmission damage that is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle without shifting
into park positionP is dangerous. Also, park
positionP alone is not intended to or capa-
ble of preventing your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.
Always set the electric parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP
(page 364).
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.

372 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
positionD, you can select a gear range for
the automatic transmission to operate
within.
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the respective downshift button on the
steering wheel gearshift control, and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the respective upshift button on the steer-
ing wheel gearshift control (
page 375).The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display.
1Current gear range
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. Children could shift the
automatic transmission out of park
positionP, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Effect
ï
The automatic transmission
shifts through sixth gear only
(applies to vehicles with 7-speed
automatic transmission only).
î
The automatic transmission
shifts through fifth gear only (ap-
plies to vehicles with 7-speed au-
tomatic transmission only).
é
The automatic transmission
shifts through fourth gear only.
Effect
è
The automatic transmission
shifts through third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
ç
The automatic 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 automatic transmission op-
erates in first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

374 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.The hill start assist system is inactive


when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades


with the automatic transmission in
neutral position N


with the electric parking brake set


if the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of Airmatic*
(page 402) or ABC* (
page 404)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The selected program mode CorS ap-
pears in the tachometer display.
Warning!
G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as a parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always set the electric parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP.