2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class transmission

G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off and the ECO
symbol is show ningreen in the multifunction
display, the engine has been switched off
automatically. All of the vehicle's systems
remain active. If you open the door, unfasten
your seat belt or remove your foot from the
brake pedal, the engine will automatically
start. The vehicle may begi nmoving. You
could suffer serious or even fatal injury or
cause an accident resulting in injury or death.
Never leave the vehicle while the ECO symbol
in the multifunction display is shown in green
or yellow .Always secure the vehicle against
rolling away before leaving it.
! Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Automatic engine switch-off The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically and the braking effect of the
HOL Dfunction is deactivated. Depress the
accelerato rpedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first.
The engine is only switched off if:
R the outside temperature is within the range
which is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged. R
the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R no engine-relevant diagnostics are active.
R the driver's door is closed and the seat belt
is fastened.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if you:
R
release the brake pedal when HOLD is not
activated and the transmission is in
position Dor N
R shift the transmission to position R
R depress the accelerator pedal
R switch off the ECO start/stop function or
switch to drive program Sor M
R unfasten your seat belt or open the driver's
door
The engine is also started automatically if:
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detects moisture on the
windshield when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
R the charge level of the battery is too low.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function General notes
You can deactivate and activate the ECO
start/stop function using COMAND
(Y
page 265).
i You can also use the programmable
button (Y page 124) to activate and
deactivate the ECO start/stop function if
you have assigned this function to the
button. Driving
311Driving and parking Z

Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shif tthe automatic
transmission out of parking position Por
neutral position Nif 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 in 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. G
WARNING
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position Nautomatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position Pbefore turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle. DIRECTS
ELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions The DIRECT SELECT leve
ris on the right of the
steering column. P
Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
i The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its original position. The current
transmission position P,R, Nor Dappears
in the transmission position display
(Y page 316) in the multifunction display.
Engaging parkp osition P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
directio nofarrowP.
i The automatic transmission shifts into
park position Pautomatically:
R if you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission
position Dor R
R if you open the door while traveling at
very low speeds in transmission position
D or R
! If the engine speed is too high or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly from Dto
R, from Rto Dor directly to P.The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary. 314
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

i
The ECO start/stop function is not
available when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 310).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Neutral N with ECO start/stop function
activated The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if:
R the vehicle is braked until stationary while
in neutral Nand
R you continue to apply the brakes.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 310).
Shifting to neutral N X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically
switches to N.
Remaining in neutral N
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes with a towing device, please observe
the following instructions: G
WARNING
When leaving the SmartKey in the starter
switch, do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch
on the ignition which could result in
unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury. Using the SmartKey:
R
make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R engage park position P.
R release the brake pedal.
R remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
R insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R switch on the ignition.
R depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if the electric parking brake is engaged,
release it.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Drive position D with ECO start/stop
function activated The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if:
R
the vehicle is braked until stationary while
in transmission position Dand
R you continue to apply the brakes.
Further information on the ECO start/stop
function (Y page 310). Automatic transmission
315Driving and parking Z

Engaging drive position D
X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT leve rdown past
the first point of resistance. Transmission position display
The current transmission position is shown in
the multifunction display. 0002
Transmission position
i The arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
! If the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission position Dand drive program
E (drive program Con AMG vehicles) or S.
Do not restrict the shift range. Transmission positions
0003
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position
Punless the vehicle is
stationary. The parking lock should
not be used as a brake when
parking. In addition to engaging the
parking lock, you must always
apply the electric parking brake to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. 0004
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0002
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train. 0009
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.316
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program
E/S or, for AMG vehicles,
C/S/M(Y page 317)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
point of resistance.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions Dand
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The engine
management system of the vehicle limits
shifting back and forth between transmission
positions Dand Rto a maximum speed of
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R,
move the selector lever up and down beyond
the pressure point.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
automatic transmission into park position P.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Program selector button
General information The program selector button influences:
R
the drive program
R the AIRMATIC (Y page 347) or ABC
(Y page 348) suspension settings
R the engine management Program selector button
Program selector button on AMG vehicles
In AMG vehicles, drive program
Eis called
drive program C. E
Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shiftingAutomatic transmission
317Driving and parking Z

i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 318).
AMG vehicles: only change from automatic
drive program Cor Sto manual drive program
M whe nthe vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0002
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
i When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles). Steering wheel paddle shifters
0002
Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
0003 Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
You can change gear yourself by using the
steering wheel paddle shifters in the manual
drive program. Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following: R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in
position
D, it is possible to restrict or
derestrict the shift range (Y page 318).
The shift range selected is shown in the
multifunction display. The automatic
transmission shifts only as far as the selected
gear. Shift range
0008
You can use the engine's braking
effect.318
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

000B
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 0011
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up in order to prevent the engine
from overrevving, even if the shift range is
restricted.
Derestricting the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter until Dis shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on the manual drive program The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive program
Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Manual drive program Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D.The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 317) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting !
In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 318).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. Automatic transmission
319Driving and parking Z

Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator appears in the
multifunction display.
0002
Gear indicator
0003 Upshif tindicator
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 318).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicl eorstop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear tha twill allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
Kickdown i
Kickdown is not possible in manual drive
program M.
Switching off the manua ldrive program X
Press the progra mselecto rbutton
(Y page 317) repeatedly until Cor S
appears in the multifunction display. 320
Automatic transmissionDriving and pa
rking