Automatic Transmission
multitronic ®, S tronic ®,
tiptronic
Introduction
App lies to vehicles: with multitro ni c/S tronic/t iptronic
The automatic transmission is controlled elec
tronically . The transmission upshifts or down
shifts automatically depend ing on which drive
program is se lected.
When a
moderate driving style is used, the
transmission selects the most economical
driving mode .
It will then change up early and
de lay the downshifts to g ive better fuel econ
omy.
The transmission switches to a sporty mode after a k ick-down or when the driver uses a
sporty driving style characterized by quick ac
celerator pedal movements, heavy accelera
tion, frequent changes in speed and traveling
at the maximum speed.
If desired, the driver can a lso se lect the gears
manually (t iptronic mode ) ¢ page 109.
Various automatic transm issions may be in
stalled, depend ing on the model :
multitronic® transmission
The multitronic ® transmission is a continuous
ly variable transmission. Power is transferred
using a multidisk clutch. In contrast to con
ventional automatic transmissions using shift
ing operat ions, the transmission ratio in the
continuously variable transmission is changed
continuously. This opt imizes the comfort level
and conserves fuel.
S tronic ® transmission
The S tronic ® is a dual-clutch transmission .
Power is transferred using two clutches that
work independently from one another. They
r eplace the torque converter used in conven
tional automat ic transmissions and allow the
vehicle to accelerate without a noticeable in
terruption in traction.
Automatic Transmission 105
tiptronic transmission
In the tiptronic transmission, power is trans
ferred by a torque converter .
Selector lever positions
Applies to vehicles: wit h mult itronic/5 tro nic/tiptro nic
Fig. 111 Disp lay in the instrument cluster: selector
l ever pos itio n
The selector lever position engaged appears
next to the selector lever as well as in the in
strument cluster display.
P -Park
In this selector lever position the transmis
sion is mechanically locked. Engage P only
when the vehicle is
completely stopped¢&.
in Driving the automatic transmission on
page 108.
To shift in or out of position P, yo u must first
press and ho ld the brake pedal and then press
the release button in the selector lever handle
while moving the selector lever to or from P .
You can shift out of this position only with the ignition on .
R -Reverse
Select R only when the vehicle is at a full stop
and the engine is running at idle speed¢ A in
Driving the automatic transmission on
page 108.
Before you move the se lector lever to R, press
both the button in the handle of the selector
lever
and the brake pedal at the same time .
When the ignition is on, the backup lights illu
minate when the selector lever is moved into
R. .,.
108 Automatic Transmission
This prevents too much stress from being placed on the locking mechanism.
multitronic transmission : Your vehicle is
equipped with
hill hold assist allowing you to
start while on an incline. The system is acti
vated when the brake pedal is pressed down
and held
for a few seconds. T he brake pres
sure will hold for
o moment after the brake
pedal loosens to prevent the vehicle from roll
ing backwards while starting up .
A WARNING
-The vehicle can also roll when the engine
is stopped .
- Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious injury.
- Never leave your vehicle with the engine
running while in gear. If you must leave
your vehicle when the engine is running, activate the parking brake and move the
selector lever to P.
- Power is still transmitted to the wheels
when the engine is running at idle. To
prevent the vehicle from "creeping ", you
must keep your foot on the brake when
the engine is running and the selector lever is in D/S or R or "tiptronic" mode is
selected.
- Do not press the accelerator pedal when
changing the selector lever position
while the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is running.
- Never shift into R or P while driving.
- Before driving down a steep slope, re-
duce your speed and shift into a lower
gear with "tiptronic".
- Do not ride the brakes or press the brake
pedal too often or too long when driving
down a hill. Constant braking causes the
brakes to overheat and substantially re
duces braking performance, increases
braking distance or causes complete fail
ure of the brake system.
- To prevent the vehicle from rolling back
when stopping on inclines, always hold it
in place with the brake pedal or parking
brake. -
Never hold the vehicle on an incline with
a slipping clutch. The clutch opens auto
matically when it becomes too hot from
the overload . An indicator lamp
[O] illu
minates and a driver message appears
~ page 110 when the clutch is overload
ed.
- If the engine must remain running, never
have any driving position engaged when
checking under the hood. Make sure the
selector lever has securely engaged and
is locked in P with the parking brake set
~ page 219, Engine comportment. Oth
erwise, any increase in engine speed may
set the vehicle in motion, even with the
parking brake applied.
(D Note
- 5 tronic ®- and tiptronic transmission :
When stopping on an incline, do not try
to hold the vehicle in place by pressing
the accelerator pedal while a driving gear
is selected . This can cause the transmis
sion to overheat and can damage it. Acti
vate the parking brake or press the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling .
- 5 tronic ®- and tiptronic transmission : Al
lowing the vehicle to roll when the en
gine is stopped and the selector lever is
in N will damage the transmission be
cause it is not lubricated under those cir
cumstances.
(D Tips
For safety reasons, the parking brake is re
leased automatically only when the driv
er's safety belt is engaged in the buckle.
Hill descent control
Applies to vehicles: with mult itronic/5 tronic/tiptronic
The hill descent control system assists the
driver when driving down declines.
Hill descent control is activated when these
lector lever is in D/S and you press the brake
pedal. The transmission automatically selects .,.