XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next lower gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s
maximum speed would be exceeded.
Extending gear range
XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
or
XBriefly pull right gearshift control ;.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next higher gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
iIf you press on the accelerator pedal
when the engine has reached the
revolution limit of the current gear range,
the automatic transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Canceling gear range limit
XPress and hold the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+ direction until the gear
range indicator disappears from the
multifunction display.
or
XPull and hold right gearshift control ; until
the gear range indicator disappears from
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission will shift from
the current gear range directly into drive
position D.
Shifting into optimal gear range XPress and hold the gear selector lever to
the left in the D- direction.
or
XPull and hold left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will select the
gear range suited for optimal acceleration
and deceleration automatically. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Manual shift program
The manual shift program is available on
vehicles with dynamic handling package and
on C 63 AMG only.
Manual program mode M differs with regard
to spontaneity, response time, and shifting
smoothness from automatic program mode
S.
In manual program mode M, system-
controlled automatic gearshifting is switched
off. You need to change the gears by manually
upshifting or downshifting using the gear
selector lever or the steering wheel gearshift
control.
Program mode selector switch on vehicles withdynamic handling package
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Program mode selector switch on C 63 AMG
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingM ManualFor manual gearshifting
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display (Y page 112).
For information on automatic program mode
(C or S), see “Automatic shift program”
(Y page 111) and “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 112).
Activating manual shift program
XVehicles with dynamic handling package:
Press the program mode selector switch
once.
M appears in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission switches to
manual program mode M. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range is
not limited.
XC 63 AMG: Press the program mode
selector switch repeatedly until M appears
in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission switches to
manual program mode M. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range is
not limited.
You can change the gears manually with drive
position D selected. You can upshift or
downshift through the gears in succession.
iVehicles with dynamic handling package:
Manual program mode M will not be stored.
When the engine is turned off with manual
program mode M selected, the automatic
transmission will go to automatic program
mode C when the engine is restarted.
iC 63 AMG: Manual program mode M will
not be stored. When the engine is turned
off with manual program mode M selected,
the automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode (C or S) when the
engine is restarted.
Upshifting
iVehicles with dynamic handling package:
If you press on the accelerator pedal when
the engine has reached the revolution limit
of the current gear, the automatic
transmission will upshift beyond manual
program mode M selected.
! C 63 AMG:
In manual program mode M, the automatic
transmission will not upshift, even if the
engine has reached its overrevving range.
Shift up into 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. Otherwise the engine
could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
or
XBriefly pull right gearshift control ;
(Y page 112).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next higher gear.
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Upshift indicator (C 63 AMG only)
In manual program mode M, upshift
indicator ; in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you can
drive at the maximum engine speed for each
gear without overrevving the engine.
XShift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting
GWarning!
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.
XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :
(Y page 112).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
iVehicles with dynamic handling package:
To avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s
maximum speed would be exceeded.
iFor maximum acceleration, press and
hold the gear selector lever to the left in the
D- direction or pull and hold the left
gearshift control. Depending on the engine
speed the automatic transmission selects
the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
iWhen you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown
AMG vehicles: Using the kickdown while
driving in manual program mode M is not
possible.
All vehicles except AMG vehicles: You can
also use the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode M when you want maximum
acceleration.
XU.S. vehicles: Fully depress the
accelerator pedal.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
XCanada vehicles: Depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
automatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
iYou cannot shift with the gear selector
lever or the steering wheel gearshift control
when using the kickdown.
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Deactivating manual shift programXVehicles with dynamic handling package:
Press the program mode selector switch
once more.
The last selected automatic program mode
C or S appears in the multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to the
last selected automatic program mode ( C
or S).XC 63 AMG: Press the program mode
selector switch repeatedly until C or S
appears in the multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode ( C or S).
Manual program mode M is not stored.
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R .XHave the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.Transfer case
This section applies to vehicles equipped with
all-wheel drive (4MATIC) only. Both the front
and rear axles are powered at all times when
the vehicle is being operated.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button in position 0 or 1) when the parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Instrument cluster
Introduction
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
( Y page 28).
GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
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Using the control systemXTo select a menu: Press button =
or ;.
XTo select a submenu: Press button :
or 9.
XTo go to the next higher menu level:
Press button %.
XTo select the standard display: Press
button % repeatedly until the standard
display featuring the odometer and
speedometer appears.
or
XPress and hold button % until the
standard display featuring the trip
odometer and the main odometer appears.
XTo confirm selection: Press button a.XTo confirm display message: Press
button a or %.
The control system saves certain display
messages. Calling up display messages
(Y page 129).
For information about warning and
malfunction messages appearing in the
multifunction display (Y page 270).
Multifunction display
:Text field;Line for main menus=Outside temperature indicator?Automatic transmission program mode
indicator
ATransmission position/gear range
indicator (automatic transmission)
Additional speedometer (manual
transmission)
BDigital clock
Settings, functions, submenus as well as any
malfunctions appear in the text field.
For more information on menus displayed in
the multifunction display, see “Menus and
submenus” (Y page 121).
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RSETUP (Y page 124)
RRACETIMER (Y page 124)
ROverall analysis (Y page 125)
RLap analysis (Y page 126)
SETUP
XPress button = or ; to select the
AMG menu.
XPress button 9 to select SETUP.:Automatic transmission program mode
indicator
;ESP mode indicator
RACETIMER
GWarning!
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
The RACETIMER allows you to time and save
driving stretches.
XPress button = or ; to select the
AMG menu.
XPress button 9 repeatedly until the
RACETIMER appears in the multifunction
display.
:Digital speedometer;Gear indicator=RACETIMER?Lap number
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position 2 (Y page 77).
While the RACETIMER is being displayed, you
cannot adjust the audio volume using buttons
W or X.
XStarting: Press button W.XDisplaying intermediate time: Press
button X while the timer is running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.
XStopping: Press button W.
When you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (Y page 77) or, in
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, turn off the
engine and do not open the driver’s door, the
RACETIMER stops timing. Timing is resumed
when you press button W after switching
the ignition back on or restarting the engine.
Saving lap time and starting a new lap
You can save up to 16 laps.
XPress button X while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time will be shown for
5 seconds.
XPress button X within 5 seconds.
The intermediate time shown will be saved
as a lap time.
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XPress button : or 9 to select a
submenu.
Scroll down with button :, scroll up with
button 9.
With the selection marker on the desired
submenu, use the button a to access the
individual functions within that submenu.
Once within the submenu, you can use button
9 to move to the next function or
button : to move to the previous function
within that submenu.
The following lists show what settings can be
changed within the various menus. Detailed
instructions on making individual settings can
be found on the following pages.
Instrument cluster submenu
RSelecting speedometer display mode
(Y page 131)
RShowing or hiding additional
speedometer13 (Y page 132)
RPermanent display14 (speed display or
outside temperature) (Y page 132)
Time/Date submenu
RSetting the time (Y page 132)
RSetting the date (Y page 133)
Lights submenu
RSwitching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 133)
RSwitching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 134)
RSwitching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off (Y page 135)
Vehicle submenu
RSwitching automatic central locking on or
off (Y page 135)
Convenience submenu
RActivating easy-entry/exit feature
(Y page 136)
RSwitching fold-in function for exterior rear
view mirrors on or off (Canada only)
(Y page 136)
Instrument cluster submenu
Access the Instr. Cluster submenu via
the Settings menu. Use the Instr.
Cluster submenu to change the instrument
cluster display settings.
The following functions are available:
RSelecting speedometer display mode
(Y page 131)
RShowing or hiding additional
speedometer15 (Y page 132)
RPermanent display16 (speed display or
outside temperature) (Y page 132)
Selecting speedometer display mode
XPress = or ; to select the
Settings menu.
XPress button : or 9 to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
XPress button a.XPress button : or 9 to select the
Display Unit Speed-/Odometer:
function.
The current setting is shown.
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XPress button a to change the setting.
Depending on the previous setting the
Display Unit Speed-/Odometer: will be
set to miles or km.
The selected display unit is valid for:
ROdometer and trip odometer
RTrip computer
RDigital speedometer in the trip menu
RCruise control
RNavigation displays
Showing or hiding additional
speedometer (vehicles with manual
transmission)
You can have an additional digital
speedometer shown on the multifunction
display. The speed is shown in the unit of
kilometers/hour (USA) or miles/hour
(Canada).
XPress button = or ; to select the
Settings menu.
XPress button : or 9 to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
XPress button a.XPress button : or 9 to select the
Additional Speedometer function.
The current setting is shown.
XPress button a to change the current
status.
Depending on the previous status, the
additional speedometer will be switched
On or Off.
Permanent display (vehicles with
automatic transmission)
You can use the Permanent Display:
function to choose to display either the
outside temperature or the speed in
kilometers (USA) or miles (Canada)
permanently.
XPress button = or ; to select the
Settings menu.
XPress button : or 9 to select the
Instr. Cluster submenu.
XPress button a.XPress button : or 9 to select the
Permanent Display: function.
The current setting is shown.
XPress button a to change the current
status.
Depending on the previous status, the
Permanent Display: will be switched
between Outside temperature or
Speedometer (km/h) (USA)/
Speedometer (miles) (Canada).
Time/Date submenu
Access the Time/Date submenu via the
Settings menu. Use the Time/Date
submenu to change the time and date display
settings.
The following functions are available:
RSetting the time (Y page 132)
RSetting the date (Y page 133)
Setting the time
This function is not available if your vehicle is
equipped with the COMAND system and
navigation module.
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