2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC automatic transmission

Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfir-
ing. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system. X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. X
Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The coolant temperature
display indicates a value
within the red band. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no
longer being cooled sufficiently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down. X
Check the coolant level ( Y
page 322). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
General information Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to select the
drive program.
Available drive programs for Mercedes-
AMG GLC 43 4MATIC:
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
S Sport Sporty driving characteris-
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
E Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
I Individual Individual settings
Available drive programs for Mercedes-
AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/GLC 63 S 4MATIC+:
RACE
(S ‑ MODEL) Driving characteristics suit-
able for a race circuit
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
S Sport Sporty driving characteris-
tics C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
I Individual Individual settings
Depending on the drive program selected the
following vehicle characteristics will change: R
the drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment) R
the suspension R
the steering R
the driver assistance systems R
ESP ®
(Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/
GLC 63 S 4MATIC+) R
the position of the exhaust flap (Mercedes-
AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/GLC 63 S 4MATIC+) R
the setting of the ECO start/stop function R
the availability of gliding mode R
the climate control
Further information for automatic drive program
characteristics ( Y
page 150).
Additionally, in drive program I you can config-
ure the respective vehicle characteristics using
the multimedia system. You can find informa-
tion about this under "DYNAMIC SELECT" in the
vehicle's Digital Operator's Manual.
Each time you start the engine with the Smart-
Key or the Start/Stop button, drive program C is
activated. Further information about starting
the engine ( Y
page 138).144
DYNAMIC SELECT switch
Driving and parking

In addition, the current drive program settings
are displayed briefly in the multimedia system
display.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop func-
tion is deactivated at the factory due to the
available fuel grade. In this case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available in any
drive program, regardless of the display in the
multimedia system display.
Available drive programs:
I Individual Individual settings
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
S Sport Sporty driving characteris-
tics
C Comfort Comfortable and economi-
cal driving characteristics
E Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs
( Y
page 150).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel paddle shifters. For further infor-
mation on the manual drive program
( Y
page 152).
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering
package: information on the off-road programs
( Y
page 181).
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or R ,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is
a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R ,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate.
G WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when 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 vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Hybrid vehicles: be sure to observe the notes
in the supplement. Otherwise, you may not rec-
ognize dangers.
DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions
]
Park position with parking lock ^
Reverse gear \\
Neutral [
Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The current transmission posi-
tion ] , ^ , \\ or [ is shown on the trans-
mission position display on the multifunction
display ( Y
page 148).
Selects park position
! If the engine speed is too high or the vehicle
is coasting, do not shift the automatic trans-
mission directly from [ to ^ , from ^ to [
or directly to ] . Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged. X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever switch in the
direction of arrow ] .146
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Engaging park position automatically Park position ] is automatically engaged if:R
you switch off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey 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 ^
Under certain conditions, the automatic trans-
mission shifts to transmission position ] auto-
matically if the HOLD function or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC is activated. Observe the informa-
tion on the HOLD function ( Y
page 179) and
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 174).
Engaging reverse gear
! Only move the automatic transmission to
^ when the vehicle is stationary. X
Depress the brake pedal. X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the
first point of resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further informa-
tion on the ECO start/stop function
( Y
page 141).
Engaging neutral
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 PR
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
If the transmission is in position [ or ^ :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to
the first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position ] : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position ^ or [ , the automatic trans-
mission shifts to \\ automatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock, the auto-
matic transmission shifts to ] automatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to ] auto-
matically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral \\ , e.g. when having the vehi-
cle cleaned in an automatic, tow-through car
wash: X
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-
GO start function: remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock. X
Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock. X
All vehicles: switch the ignition on. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Engage neutral \\ .X
Release the brake pedal. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging the drive position X
If the transmission is in position ^ or \\ :
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the
first point of resistance. X
If the transmission is in position ] : depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever down past the first point of resistance.Automatic transmission 147
Driving and parking Z

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 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.
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
Gliding mode is available depending on the
equipment.
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 hides the gear indi-
cator and displays transmission position [
in green ( Y
page 148). R
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the multifunction
display shows status icon C for the drive
program's status icon.
In drive program E or in drive program C
(Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC/
GLC 63 S 4MATIC) you can deactivate and acti-
vate gliding mode using the ECO button
( Y
page 142).
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.Automatic transmission 149
Driving an d parking Z

Gliding mode is deactivated under the following
conditions: R
You depress the accelerator pedal. R
You depress the brake pedal. R
You change the transmission position
( Y
page 146).R
You switch to drive program RACE
(Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC), S+ or S
( Y
page 144).R
You activate manual gearshifting
( Y
page 152).R
You leave the suitable speed range.
i If you have selected the "Eco" or "Comfort"
(Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC/
GLC 63 S 4MATIC setting for the drive (engine
and transmission management) in drive pro-
gram I , you can also activate gliding mode.
Information on DYNAMIC SELECT and on con-
figuring drive program I with the multimedia
system (see the Digital 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 152), in which the engine will run the
middle of the engine speed range.
This also applies when cruise control or Dis-
tance Pilot DISTRONIC are activated.
Drive programs
All vehicles except Mercedes-AMG GLC
63 4MATIC+/GLC 63 S 4MATIC+
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)
and therefore indirectly the availability of glid-
ing mode and the properties of the driver
assistance systems 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.
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
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. R
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
( Y
page 141).
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 stiff springing and
damping settings (vehicles with
AIR BODY CONTROL). R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is activated
( Y
page 141).
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.150
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

The vehicle is driven in the low engine speed
range and the wheels are less likely to spin. R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is activated
( Y
page 141).
Drive program E (Economy) Drive program E is characterized by the follow-
ing: R
the vehicle exhibits particularly 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. R
gliding mode is available. R
the ECO start/stop function is activated
( Y
page 141).
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/GLC
63 S 4MATIC+
Drive program RACE (S ‑ MODEL)The RACE drive program is characterized by the
following: R
the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics
suitable for the racetrack. R
all vehicle systems are set for maximum
sportiness. R
the gearshift recommendation gives you
information for slowly warming up the drive
assemblies and for adopting a fuel-efficient
driving style ( Y
page 152). You can follow the
gearshift recommendations at all times and
shift gear accordingly using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. On the basis of the
gearshift recommendation, using the steering
wheel paddle shifters, you can optimize the
drive train and engine operating mode at any
time. R
if you have selected a gear manually, this will
be maintained until the vehicle speed increa-
ses or decreases dramatically. 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 hard
springing and damping settings. R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is switched off
( Y
page 141).
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 as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points. R
the suspension exhibits particularly hard
springing and damping settings. R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is switched off
( Y
page 141).
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 stiff springing and
damping settings. R
gliding mode is not available. R
the ECO start/stop function is switched off
( Y
page 141).Automatic transmission 151
Driving and parking Z

Drive program C (Comfort)Drive progra m C is characterized by th e follow-
ing: R
th e vehicl e deliver s comfortable, economical
handlin g characteristics .R
th e vehicl e pulls away mor e gentl y in forwar d
and revers e gears, unless th e accelerato r
peda l is depressed fully.R
th e vehicl e has improved drivin g stability, fo r
exampl e on slipper y roa d surfaces.R
optimal fue l consumption resultin g from th e
automati c transmissio n shiftin g up sooner.
The vehicl e is driven in th e low engin e speed
range and th e wheels are less likely to spin .R
glidin g mod e is available.R
th e ECO start/sto p function is switched on
( Y
page 141).
Drive program I (Individual)In drive progra m I th e following properties of th e
drive progra m can be selected:R
th e drive (engin e management)
and therefore indirectl y th e availabilit y of
glid e mod e and th e ECO start/sto p function
as well as th e properties of th e driver assis-
tance systems R
th e transmissio n managemen tR
ES P ®
( Y
page 69)R
th e suspensio n
and therefore indirectl y th e steerin gR
activation of th e exhaus t flap
To permanentl y shift th e gear s manually in drive
progra m I usin g th e s teerin g w
hee l paddl e shift -
ers , select th e M (Manual) setting fo r th e trans -
missio n management.
Information about configurin g drive progra m I
wit h th e multimedia system can be found under
"DYNAMIC SELECT" in th e vehicle's Digital
Operator' s Manual.
Manua l gea r shifting
General notes
You can chang e gear yourself usin g th e steerin g
whee l paddl e shifters . The transmissio n mus t be
in position [ fo r this.
Dependin g on whic h steerin g whee l paddl e
shifter is pulled, th e automati c transmissio n immediately shift s into th e next gear down or
up, if permitted.
To use manual shifting, you hav e tw o options:R
temporar y setting R
permanen t setting
If you activat e manual gearshifting, th e multi-
function display will sho w th e curren t gear and
c instead of transmissio n position [ .
If you deactivat e manual gearshifting, th e gear s
will be shifted automatically again .
Temporar y setting X
To activate: shift th e DIRECT SELECT lever to
position [ . X
Pull steerin g whee l paddl e shifter C or D .
The temporar y setting is active fo r a certain
amount of time. In certain conditions, th e mini-
mum amount of time is extended, e.g. in th e
cas e of latera l acceleration , overrun mod e or
drivin g on steep terrain .X
To deactivate: pull steerin g whee l paddl e
shifter D and hol d it in place.
or X
Use th e DIRECT SELECT lever to switch th e
transmissio n position .
or X
Use th e DYNAMIC SELECT switch to chang e
th e drive program.
Permanent setting
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles : th e automati c
transmissio n doe s no t shift up automatically
eve n when th e engin e limiting speed fo r th e
curren t gear is reached. Whe n th e engin e lim-
itin g speed is reached, th e fue l supply is cut to
preven t th e engin e from overrevving. Always
mak e sur e that th e engin e speed doe s no t152
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

reach the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
Manual mode button (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-
cles)
Manual mode button (Mercedes-AMG vehicles) X
To activate/deactivate: shift the DIRECT
SELECT lever to position [ .X
Press button C .
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: when indicator
lamp D lights up, automatic transmission
manual mode is activated.
The manual mode activated with button C
remains activated when the drive program is
changed.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/
GLC 63 S 4MATIC+: only if the D (Automatic)
setting has been preselected for the trans-
mission is manual mode deactivated when
you change to drive program I .
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+/GLC 63 S
4MATIC+: you can also preset manual mode for
drive program I . To do so, select the M (Manual)
setting when configuring the transmission.
When driving in drive program I , you perma-
nently shift the gears manually using the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters.
Information about configuring drive program I
with the multimedia system can be found under "DYNAMIC SELECT" in the vehicle's Digital
Operator's Manual.
Shifting gears X
To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter D .
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed in the gear cur-
rently engaged is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission auto-
matically shifts up in order to prevent engine
damage (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles).
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if the temporary
setting has been activated and you continue
to accelerate when the maximum engine
speed has been reached, the automatic trans-
mission automatically shifts up. If the perma-
nent setting is activated, the automatic trans-
mission does not shift up automatically even
when the engine limiting speed for the current
gear is reached. Observe the protection
against reaching the overrevving range on the
multifunction display. Always make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red area
of the tachometer. X
To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle
shifter C .
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Automatic down shifting occurs when coast-
ing.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine damage
by not shifting down.Automatic transmission 153
Driving and parking Z