2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-Class automatic transmission

transmission position display (Y
page 147)
in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
0043
Transmission position display
0044 Drive program display
i The arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which transmis-
sion 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 trans-
mission position Dand drive program Eor
S.
Engaging park position P X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Transmission position display Pis shown in
the multifunction display.
i When you engage park position
P, make
sure that the transmission position display shows Pin the multifunction display.
i You can only engage park position
Pwhen
the vehicle is stationary. i
The automatic transmission shifts into
park position Pautomatically:
R if you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission posi- tion Dor R
R if you open the door while traveling at
very low speeds in transmission position
D or R
In addition, a warning tone sounds and a
display message is shown.
i Depressing the brake and pushing the
DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disen-
gages the parking lock. The transmission is
in Nneutral.
At transmission fluid temperatures below
00F84 ‡( 00F820 †), you can only shift out of park
position Pinto another transmission posi-
tion when the engine is running.
In order to shift from park position P
directly into Ror D:
R depress the brake pedal and
R push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or
down past the first point of resistance
! If the engine speed is too high or the vehi-
cle is moving, do not shift the automatic
transmission directly from Dto R, from Rto
D or directly to P. The automatic transmis-
sion could otherwise be damaged.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary.
i The ECO start/stop function is not avail-
able when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop function (Y page 143).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance. Automatic transmission
147Driving and parking Z

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 auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts 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
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R Start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
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 Smart-
Key in the ignition lock. Engaging drive position D X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance. Selector lever
Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
005D
Park position with parking lock
005E Reverse gear
005C Neutral
005B Drive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display Example
0043
Transmission position display
0044 Drive program display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. 148
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Engaging park position P
X
When the vehicle is stationary, press Pbut-
ton 0043. Transmission positions
0045 Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position
P(Y page 157) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock in order to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are mal-
functioning, the transmission may
be locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. 0046 Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0044 Neutral
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 posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
When you switch off the engine, the automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts into neutral N. 003A Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gearshift-
ing behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 150)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 149)
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients G
WARNING
If the clutch overheats, the electronic man-
agement system is automatically deactivated. Automatic transmission
149Driving and parking
Z

This interrupts the power transmission. The
vehicle may, for example, roll backwards on
gradients. There is a risk of an accident.
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator.
The clutch may overheat if you hold the vehi- cle stationary on uphill gradients by depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. If the clutch over-
heats, a warning tone sounds.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): the
Stop
Stop Vehicle Vehicle Shift
Shiftto
toP
PLeave
Leave Engine
Engine
Running
Running display message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. You will only be able to
continue your journey once the clutch has
cooled down and the display message in the
multifunction display has disappeared.
AMG vehicles: theTrans. Oil Overhea‐ Trans. Oil Overhea‐
ted Drive on with Care
ted Drive on with Care display message
appears in the multifunction display.
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator.
Instead, only ever hold the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by:
R depressing the brake pedal
R activating the HOLD function
R engaging the electric parking brake
Kickdown AMG vehicles:
it is only possible to use kick-
down in temporary manual drive program M.
For further information on manual drive pro-
gram M(Y page 152).
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up. Rocking the vehicle free Shifting the transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R,
move the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up
and down past the point of resistance. Program selector button
General notes The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics.
Example: program selector button
E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
Only change from automatic drive program
E
or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0043repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. 150
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

i
The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program Eeach time the
engine is started.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 151).
AMG vehicles C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
Only change from automatic drive program
C
or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0043repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program Ceach time the
engine is started.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 151). Steering wheel paddle shifters
0043
Left steering wheel paddle shifter (shifts
down)
0044 Right steering wheel paddle shifter (shifts
up)
In drive program M, you can change gear
yourself using the steering wheel paddle shift-
ers.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel pad- dle shifter when in automatic drive program E
(drive program Con AMG vehicles) or S, the
automatic transmission shifts into drive pro-
gram Mfor a limited time. Depending on
which paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up.
AMG vehicles: you can activate drive pro-
gram MRACE START (Y page 177) using the
steering wheel paddle shifters.
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters when the trans-
mission is in position D.
i For further information on the manual
drive program, see (Y page 152). Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner Automatic transmission
151Driving and parking Z

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 fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis- sion shift points Manual drive program
Introduction In manual drive program
M, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters. For this, the transmission must
be in position D. The gear currently selected
and engaged is shown in the multifunction
display.
Manual drive program Mdiffers from drive
programs E(drive program Con AMG vehi-
cles) and Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes. Gear Driving situations
0040
You can use the engine's braking
effect 0038
You can 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 0037
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Switching on the manual drive program
Activating permanently
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 150) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Manual drive program Mremains active
until drive program E(drive program Con
AMG vehicles) or Sis selected.
Activating temporarily X Pull the right or left steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 151).
M is shown in the multifunction display.
Manual drive program Mis temporarily
active. Depending on which paddle shifter
is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down
or up.
i When manual drive program
Mis activa-
ted via the steering wheel paddle shifters,
the temporarily active manual drive pro-
gram Mwill be deactivated automatically
after a limited time, if the driving situation
permits. The automatic transmission
switches to the previously activated drive
program E(drive program Con AMG vehi-
cles) or S. When driving on downhill gradi-
ents, the temporarily active manual drive
program Mwill only be deactivated if the
accelerator pedal is depressed while the
vehicle is rolling downhill. 152
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking

Upshifting
X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 151).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): in
order to prevent engine damage the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts up:
R if the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and
R you continue to accelerate.
AMG vehicles:
! In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally 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.
Shift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunctiondisplay. X
Shift to recommended gear 0044according
to gearshift recommendation 0043when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster. AMG vehicles !
In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally 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. 0043
Gear indicator
0044 Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area, an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display.
X If the color in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the UP UPdis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 151).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts down.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto- matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down. Automatic transmission
153Driving and parking Z

Kickdown
AMG vehicles:
it is only possible to use kick-
down in temporary manual drive program M.
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i During kickdown, you cannot shift gears
using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
i If you apply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the next gear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 150) repeatedly until E(drive pro-
gram Cin AMG vehicles) or Sappears in the
multifunction display.
Deactivating the temporary manual drive program
X Pull and hold the right steering wheel pad-
dle shifter until the automatic transmission
shifts into the last active automatic drive
program E(drive program Con AMG vehi-
cles) or S.
i When manual drive program
Mis deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission in auto-
matic drive program E(drive program Con
AMG vehicles) or Smay shift from the cur-
rent gear into a higher or lower gear. This is dependent on the position of the accelera-
tor pedal, speed and load. 154
Automatic trans
missionDriving and parking