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Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position Nwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
HYBRID vehicles: ensure that you read the
"HYBRID" supplement included in the vehicle
literature. Otherwise, you may not recognize
dangers. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear i
Neutral
h 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. For this purpose, we recommend
selecting transmission position Dand
automatic drive program E(drive program
C in AMG vehicles) or S. :
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. Automatic trans
mission
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DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
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 168) 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 position Dand drive program
E or S. :
Transmission position display
; Drive program display The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display.
i The arrows in the transmission position
display show how and into which
transmission positions you can change
using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
Engaging park position P !
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. j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the
direction of arrow P.
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 168
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HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS:
if the
vehicle is braked using the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to
transmission position P. In addition, at least
one of the following conditions must be
fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not in the buckle.
Engaging park position P in AMG
vehicles X
When the vehicle is stationary, press P
button :.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting to neutral N 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.
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 shifts
to 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:
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 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. Automatic transmission
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R
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R Shift to neutral N.
R Release the brake pedal.
R If the parking brake is engaged, release it.
R Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey 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. Transmission positions
B
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P(Ypage 182) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. Always apply the
parking brake in addition to the
parking lock in order 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. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could 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. 7
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 position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 171)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the 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 to a sporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected.170
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Kickdown
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 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 vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions Dand Rto speeds up
to a maximum 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. Program selector button
General notes All vehicles (except AMG vehicles)
X
Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics. E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 172).
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program Eeach time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles Drive program selector with manual drive program
X
Turn drive program selector :until the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selector :lights up in red.
i Further information about permanent
drive program M(Ypage 173).
As well as this permanent drive program
M, you can also activate temporary drive
program M(Ypage 172). C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
S+
SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
styleAutomatic trans
mission
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M
Manual Manual gear shifting
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 172).
Only change from automatic drive program C,
S or S+ to manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program Ceach time the
engine is started.
i RScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 203). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the manual drive program, you can change
gears manually using steering wheel paddle
shifters :and ;.
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Ypage 173).
Further information about temporary drive
program M(Ypage 172).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programs E and S Drive program
E(drive program Con MAG
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 S(or, in the case of AMG
vehicles, drive programs Sand S+) is
characterized by the following:
R sporty engine and automatic transmission
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
Manual drive program M General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. The transmission must be in
position
D.
You can activate manual drive program Min
the Eand Sautomatic drive programs.
i As well as temporary drive program M,
you can also activate permanent drive
program M(Ypage 171).
Further information about permanent drive
program M(Ypage 173). 172
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Activating
X
Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 172).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily
activated. The selected gear and Mappear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program Mfor a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If 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.
X To shift down: pull on the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter
(Y page 172).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next 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 Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Shift recommendation The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according
to gearshift recommendation :when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M, it will remain active for a certain 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 program Mhas been
deactivated, the automatic transmission
shifts into the automatic drive program that
was last selected, i.e. Eor S.
You can also deactivate manual drive
program Myourself:
X Pull on the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter and hold it in place
(Y page 172).
or
X Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
transmission position.
or
X Use the program selector button to change
the drive program (Y page 171).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e. Eor S. Manual drive program (AMG vehicles)
General information In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must
be in position
D. Automatic transmission
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i
As well as this permanent drive program
M, you can also activate temporary drive
program M(Ypage 172).
Switching on the manual drive program X
Turn the drive program selector
(Y page 171) until Mappears in the
multifunction display.
The indicator Mon the drive program
selector lights up in red.
The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive program Mis different from
drive programs Sand S+with regard to
spontaneity, responsiveness and
smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive program Mcan be selected
using the drive program selector. 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.
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.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. :
Gear indicator
; Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
Kickdown i
Kickdown is not possible in manual drive
program M.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Turn the drive program selector
(Y page 171) until C,Sor S+ appears in the
multifunction display. 174
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