Selecting program mode C means:
R
The vehicle starts out more gentle, both
forward and reverse, except when driving
off with full throttle.
R Traction and driving stability are improved
on icy roads.
R Upshifts occur earlier even when you give
more gas. The engine then operates at
lower revolutions and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Selecting program mode S means that
upshifts occur later. One-touch gearshifting
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D and driving in automatic program
mode C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range using the steering wheel gearshift
control.
AMG vehicles: For information on using the
steering wheel gearshift control in manual
program mode M, see “Manual shift program”
(Y page 298). Steering wheel gearshift control (example
illustration)
i
You cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the automatic
transmission is in park position P, neutral
position N, or reverse gear R. Limiting gear range G
Warning!
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.
X Briefly 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.
i 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.
Extending gear range X
Briefly 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.
i If 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 X
Pull 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. Automatic transmission
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Shifting into optimal gear range
X
Pull 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 AMG
vehicles 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 steering
wheel gearshift control. Program mode selector switch on AMG vehicle
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
M Manual For manual gearshifting
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
Y page 296).
For information on automatic program mode
(C or S), see “Automatic shift program”
(Y page 296) and “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 297). Activating manual shift program X
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.
i 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 !
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.
X Briefly pull right gearshift control ;
(Y page 297).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next higher gear.
Upshift indicator 298
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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.
X Shift 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 G
Warning!
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.
X Briefly pull left gearshift control :
(Y page 297).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, pull and hold
the left
gearshift control. Depending on the
engine speed the automatic transmission
selects the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode
M is not possible. Deactivating manual shift program X
Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until C or S appears in the
multifunction display.
or
X Restart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
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.
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting.
X Restart the engine.
X Shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D
(for
second gear) or reverse gear
R.
X Have 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 Transfer case
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Once the second red distance segment
illuminates, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the minimum
distance. The signal is canceled when the
automatic transmission is in park position P
or neutral position N with the electronic
parking brake engaged.
Rear area:
As soon as the first red distance segment
illuminates, you will hear an intermittent
warning tone for approximately 2 seconds.
Once the second red distance segment
illuminates, you will hear a continuous
warning tone. You have reached the minimum
distance. The signal is canceled when the
automatic transmission is in drive position
D,
park position P, or neutral position N with the
electronic parking brake engaged.
i During strong rainfall, the warning
indicators and warning tones may be
triggered, for example, by water splashing
into the area of the sensors.
Collision warning The Park Assist can detect obstacles from a
considerable distance. If you drive in reverse
towards an obstacle, you will hear a warning
tone. You must then brake in order to avoid a
collision. The warning tone for a collision will
not sound when the vehicle is at a standstill
very close to the obstacle. In this case, you
will hear a corresponding tone for the warning
indicator in the rear area.
i
During strong rainfall, the collision
warning may be triggered, for example, by
water splashing into the area of the
sensors.
Switching Park Assist on/off The Park Assist can be switched off manually.
i
When the indicator lamp is on, the Park
Assist is switched off. X
Switching off: Press Park Assist
button :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
X Switching on: Press Park Assist
button : again.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
The Park Assist is automatically switched on
when the ignition and radar sensors
(Y page 216) are switched on. Advanced Parking Guidance
The Advanced Parking Guidance is an
electronic parking aid equipped with radar
sensors. The radar sensors scan the area on
both sides of vehicle. When a suitable parking
space is found, it is indicated by a parking
space symbol in the multifunction display.
You will receive steering instructions for
parking in that space. G
Warning!
The Advanced Parking Guidance is only an aid
and may display parking spaces that are not
suitable for parking such as
R no-parking zones
R parking space with unsuitable road/ground
surface
R driveways
R entrances/exits
The Advanced Parking Guidance only shows a
representation of the parking space in the
multifunction display as parking space is first Driving systems
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsParking
Guidance Canceled The Advanced Parking Guidance has been canceled because:
R
the vehicle is sliding
R the bumper became dirty in the area of the sensors
R there has been a malfunction
X Use the Advanced Parking Guidance again later.
If the parking space symbol is not shown in the multifunction
display at a speed below 10 mph (16 km/h):
X Clean the bumpers
(Y page 406).
or
X Restart the engine.
or
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Parking
Guidance Finished Advanced Parking Guidance: The vehicle is in the end
position.
The display message disappears automatically.
Radar
Sensors Deactivate
d See
Oper.
Manual You have attempted to activate the DISTRONIC PLUS, the
Park Assist or the PRE-SAFE
®
Brake even though you have
switched off the radar sensors on the vehicle.
X Check if switching on the radar sensors is permitted
(Y page 216).
X Switch on the radar sensors using the instrument cluster
control system. Vehicle
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsApply
Brake to Shift
from 'P' You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive
position D
, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal.
X Depress the brake pedal. Door Open Vehicle
Not in
Park You have opened the driver’s door and the automatic
transmission is still in drive position
D, reverse gear R or
neutral position N.
X Before you leave the vehicle, make sure the automatic
transmission is
in park position P and the electronic parking
brake is engaged. 424
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsF
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only) Parking
Brake See
Oper.
Manual In addition, the yellow warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake comes on. The red indicator lamp for the electronic
parking brake may also come on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X
Pull handle of electronic parking brake.
or
X Drive off carefully.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
To engage:
X Switch off the ignition
X Press handle for electronic parking brake for at least
10 seconds
until the warning message in the multifunction
display disappears.
If the warning message does not disappear:
X Shift the automatic transmission to park position P
(Y page 291).
X Protect vehicle from rolling away while parked by using the
collapsible wheel chock from the vehicle tool kit
(Y page 412).
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. F
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only) Parking
Brake See
Oper.
Manual In addition, the red indicator lamp for the electronic parking
brake flashes.
The power supply for the electronic parking brake was
interrupted.
X
Pull handle of electronic parking brake.
or
X Drive off carefully.
or
X Press handle for electronic parking brake until the warning
message in the multifunction display disappears. 432
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsF
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only) Parking
Brake
Inoperativ
e When you engage or release the electronic parking brake, the
red indicator lamp for the electronic parking brake flashes
and goes out after approx. 10 seconds. The yellow warning
lamp for the electronic parking brake comes on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunctioning.
X
Switch ignition off and back on again, and engage or release
electronic parking brake.
If the electronic parking brake cannot be engaged:
X Shift the automatic transmission to park position P
(Y page 291).
X Protect vehicle from rolling away while parked by using a
chock from the vehicle tool kit (Y
page 412).
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. $
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only) Service
See Oper.
Manual CL 600 and CL 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunctioning. The brake
system continues to function normally with full brake force
boost.
X
Continue driving with added caution.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible. $
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only) Check
Brake
Fluid
Level There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Do not drive any further.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem. G
Warning!
Driving with the message Check
Brake
Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark
or below, have the brake system checked for brake pad thickness and leaks. 434
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Practical hints
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