2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS automatic transmission

XTo switchon(AMG vehicles):press
button.
Indicator lamplights up. If drive
programS,S+orMis active, the automatic
transmission switches to drive programC.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Ypage 151) are fulfilled, the
symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display. In addition, the
Stop/Start activemessage is shown in
the AMG menu in the multifunction display.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-
off (Ypage 151) have not been fulfilled, the
symbol will be shown in yellow. If this
is the case, the ECO start/stop function is
not available. In addition, theStop/Start
inactivemessage is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
iIf indicator lampis off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated
manually or as the result ofamalfunction.
The enginewill then not be switched off
automatically when the vehicle stops.
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Automatictransmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If theenginespeedisabovetheidlingspeed
and you engage transmission positionDor
R,thevehiclecould pull away suddenly. There
isariskofanaccident.
When engagingtransmission positionDorR,
always firmly depress thebrakepedal and do
notsimultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral positionNwhen you switchoff the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking positionP.Prevent the parked
vehicle fromrolling away by applying the
parking brake.
Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions
Selector lever in AMG vehicles withPbutton
Park position with parking lock
\nReverse gear
Neutral
Drive
Transmission position and drive
program display
!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 positionDand drive program
C.Donot restrictthe shift range.
Transmission position display
Drive program display
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selector
lever.
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
DIRECT SELECTlever
Overview of transmission positions
Park position with parking lock
\nReverse gear
Neutral
Drive
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The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steeringcolumn.
iThe DIRECT SELECT lever alwaysreturns
to its original position. The current
transmission positionP,R,NorDappears
in the transmission position display
(Ypage 155) in the multifunction display.
Transmission position and drive
program display
!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 positionDand drive program
EorS.Donot restrict the shift range.
Transmission position display
Drive program display
The currenttransmission position and drive
programappear in the multifunction display.
iThe arrows in the transmission position
display show how and intowhich
transmission positionsyou can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
Engaging parkposition P
!If theengine speed is toohigh or the
vehicle is moving, do not shift the
automatic transmission directly fromDto
R,fromRtoDor directly toP.The
automatic transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
Park position with parking lock
\nReverse gear
Neutral
Drive
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrowP.
iThe automatic transmission shifts into
park positionPautomatically:
Rif you open the driver's door while the
vehicle is stationary in transmission
positionDorR
Rif you open the door while traveling at
very low speeds in transmission position
DorR
HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS:if the
vehicle is braked using the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to
transmission positionP.Inaddition,atleast
one of the following conditionsmust be
fulfilled:
Rthe engineisswitched off.
Rthe driver'sdoor is open and the seat belt
is not in the buckle.
156Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Engaging park positionPinAMG
vehicles
XWhen thevehicle is stationary, pressP
button.
Engaging reversegear R
!Only shiftthe automatic transmission to
Rwhen the vehicle is stationary.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting to neutralN
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of
parking position P.
Rstartingthe engine.
There isarisk 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.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
XPush the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
toN.
If the automatic transmission is to remain in
neutralN,e.g. for washing the vehicle in car
washes withatowing device, please observe
the following instructions:
Using the SmartKey:
RMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
RWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
RShift to neutralN.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RIf the parking brake is engaged, release it.
RSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO:
RMake sure that the ignition is switched on.
RWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
REngage park positionP.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
RInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
RSwitch on the ignition.
RDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
RShift to neutralN.
RRelease the brake pedal.
RIf the parking brake is engaged, release it.
RSwitch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
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Engaging drive position D
XWhen thevehicle is stationary, depress the
brakepedal.
XPush theDIRECT SELECT leverdown past
the first point of resistance.
Transmission positions
\rPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
positionP(Ypage 167) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used asabrake
when parking. In addition to
engaging the parking lock, you
must always apply the parking
brake to secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in positionP.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately ataqualified
specialist workshop.
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission toR
when the vehicle is stationary.
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission toN
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
positionNif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
!Rolling in neutralNcan damage
the drive train.
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission positionD.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
Rashift range restriction, if selected
Rthe selected drive program (Ypage 159)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe road speed
Driving tips
AMG vehicles
When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive toasporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected.
158Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress theacceleratorpedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shiftstoa
lower gear depending on the enginespeed.
XEase off the accelerator pedal oncethe
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shiftsback up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rockingthe vehicle free by shifting back and
forthbetween transmission positionsDand
Rcan help to freeavehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
managementrestricts repeated shifting
between gearsDandRup toamaximum
speed of up to5mph(9km/h). To shift back
and forth between transmission positionsD
andR,movethe selector lever up and down
beyond the pressure point.
Program selectorbutton
General notes
All vehicles (exceptAMG vehicles and vehicles withthe Sports package AMG)
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
Vehicles with the Sports package AMG
XPress program selector button
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
drive program appears in the multifunction
display.
The program selector button allowsyou to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
EEconomyComfortable, economical
driving
SSportSporty driving style
MManualManual gear shifting
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programEeach time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles
Drive program selector with manual drive program
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XTurn drive program selectoruntil the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selectorlights up in red.
CControlled
Efficiency
Comfortable, economical
driving
SSportSportydriving style
S+SportPlusExtremely sporty driving
style
MManualManual gear shifting
RSRACE
START
Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Ypage 160).
Only change from automatic drive programC,
SorS+to manual drive programMwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
iThe automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive programCeach time the
engine is started.
iRScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Ypage 188).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
Left-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
Right-hand steeringwheel paddle shifter
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrictthe shift range by using
the steeringwheel paddle shifters
(Ypage 162).
iYou can only change gear with the
steeringwheel paddle shifterswhen the
transmission is in positionD.
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programsEand S
Drive programE(drive programCon MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
Rcomfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmissionsettings
Roptimal fuel consumption resultingfrom
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
Rthe vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reversegears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
Rincreased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
Rthe 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 programS(or, in the case of AMG
vehicles, drive programsSandS+)is
characterized by the following:
Rsporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
Rthe vehicle pulling away in first gear
Rthe automatic transmission shifting up
later
Rthe fuel consumption possibly being higher
asaresult of the later automatic
transmission shift points
160Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Manual drive program M
General notes
You can activate manualdrive programMin
theEandSautomatic drive programs.
In manualdrive programM,you can briefly
change gearyourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in positionD.
Activating
XShift the transmission to positionD.
XPull the left or right steeringwheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 160).
Manual drive programMis temporarily
activated. The selected gear andMappear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steeringwheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive programMfor a
limited amount of time. Dependingonwhich
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
XTo shift up:pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
iIf the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
XTo shift down:pull on the left-hand
steeringwheel paddle shifter
(Ypage 160).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shiftingdown, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shiftingdown.
iAutomatic down shiftingoccurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
XShift to recommended gearaccording
to gearshift recommendationwhen
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Disarming
If you have activated manual drive program
M,itwill remain active foracertain amount
of time. Under certain conditions the
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in
the case of lateral acceleration, during an
overrun phase or when driving on steep
terrain.
If manual drive programMhas been
deactivated, the automatic transmission
shifts into the automatic drive program that
was last selected, i.e.EorS.
You can also deactivate manual drive
programMyourself:
XPull on the right-hand steeringwheel
paddle shifter and hold it in place
(Ypage 160).
or
XUse the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
XUse the program selector button to change
the drive program (Ypage 159).
Manual drive programMis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e.EorS.
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