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The arrows in the transmission position display
show how and into which transmission positions
you can shift using the DIRECT SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should pull
away carefully to check whether the desired
transmission position is engaged. Ideally, you
should select transmission position [ and
drive program E or S .
Transmission positions E Park position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into posi-
tion ] ( Y
page 141) when the vehi-
cle is stationary. The parking lock
should not be used as a brake when
parking. Always apply the electronic
parking brake in addition to the park-
ing lock in order to secure the vehi-
cle.
Park position ] is automatically
engaged if: R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey and remove the Smart-
Key R
you switch off the engine using the
SmartKey or using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's door
or front-passenger door R
you open the driver's door when
the vehicle is stationary or when
driving at a very low speed and the
transmission is in position [ or
^
In the event of a malfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-
sion may lock in position ] . Have
the vehicle electronics checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
F Reverse gear
You can only shift the transmission
into position ^ when the vehicle is
stationary ( Y
page 142). D Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to \\
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty: shift
the transmission to position \\ if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g.
on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position ^ or [ ,
the automatic transmission shifts to
\\ automatically.
! Coasting in neutral \\ may
cause damage to the drive train.
: Drive
The automatic transmission changes
gear automatically. All forward gears
are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts through the
individual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position [ . This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by: R
the selected drive program R
the position of the accelerator pedal 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
Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch function
is active regardless of the currently selected
drive program. The double-clutch functionAutomatic transmission 143
Driving and parking Z
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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.
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.
Gliding mode (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
Gliding mode is characterized by the following: R
The combustion engine is disconnected from
the drive train. R
The engine speed corresponds to the idling
speed. R
The multifunction display shows the status
icon C for the drive program's status icon.
In drive programs E and C , you can deactivate
and activate gliding mode using the ECO button
( Y
page 137).
Gliding mode can be activated under the follow-
ing conditions: R
the speed is within a suitable range. R
the course of the road is suitable, e.g. there
are no steep up or downhill gradients. R
you are no longer depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Gliding mode is deactivated under the following
conditions: R
you depress the accelerator pedal. R
you depress the brake pedal. R
you use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch
the transmission position ( Y
page 141).R
you switch to drive program S+ or S
( Y
page 139). R
you activate manual gearshifting
( Y
page 145). R
you leave the suitable speed range.
i If you have selected the "Comfort" setting
for the drive (engine management) in drive
program I , you can also activate gliding mode.
You can find information about this in the Dig-
ital Operator's Manual.
Towing a trailer X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed range
on uphill gradients. X
Manual shifting: depending on the uphill or
downhill gradient, shift into a gear
( Y
page 145), in which the engine will run the
middle of the engine speed range.
This also applies if cruise control or
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
Drive programs
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program I the following properties of the
drive program can be selected: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspension R
the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop function R
the climate control:
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program I using the steering wheel paddle
shifters, select the M (manual) setting for the
drive.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)
Drive program S+ is characterized by the fol-
lowing: R
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
characteristics. R
the vehicle pulls away in first gear. R
the automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as144
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking
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a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIR BODY CONTROL). R
gliding mode is not available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles). R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program S (Sport) Drive program S is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle exhibits sporty driving character-
istics. R
the vehicle pulls away in first gear. R
the automatic transmission shifts up later.
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIR BODY CONTROL). R
gliding mode is not available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles). R
the ECO start/stop function is not available.
Drive program C (Comfort) Drive program C is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economical
handling characteristics. R
the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle has improved driving stability, for
example on slippery road surfaces. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin. R
gliding mode is not available (Mercedes-AMG
vehicles). Drive program E (Economy) Drive program E is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economical
handling characteristics. R
the vehicle pulls away more gently in forward
and reverse gears, unless the accelerator
pedal is depressed fully. R
the vehicle has improved driving stability, for
example on slippery road surfaces. R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin. R
during deceleration, the engine is disconnec-
ted from the drive train. The vehicle uses
kinetic energy and consumes less fuel. R
the cooling and heating output of the climate
control system has been reduced.
Manual gear shifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position [ to do this.
Depending on which steering wheel paddle
shifter is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down or
up, if permitted.
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual shift-
ing, you have two options: R
temporary setting R
permanent setting
If you activate manual gearshifting, the multi-
function display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position [ .
If you deactivate manual gearshifting, the gears
will be shifted automatically again.Automatic transmission 145
Driving and parking Z
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