Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. Gearshifting is deter-
mined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 171)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 171)
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
AMG vehicles When shifting down, the double-clutch func-
tion is active regardless of the currently selec- ted drive program. The double-clutch functionreduces load change reactions and is condu-cive to a sporty driving style. The sound gen-
erated by the double-clutch function depends
on the drive program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The 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.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Manual drive program: depending on the
uphill or downhill gradient, shift into a gear
(Y page 174) in which the engine will run in the middle of the engine speed range. This
also applies if cruise control, DISTRONIC
PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC are activated. Program selector button
General notes All vehicles (except CLS 350, AMG vehicles and
vehicles with the AMG Sports package)
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. Vehicles with the AMG Sports package
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired drive
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play. Automatic transmission
171Driving and parking Z
