Contents: General information ↡ Starting the engine ↡ Moving off ↡ 5-speed automatic transmission mode…↡ Emergency disabling of the selector…↡ Emergency mode ↡
General information
Attention! There should be no foreign objects in the driver's footwell that could restrict the freedom of movement of the pedals! When using non-standard mats or rugs, it is necessary to ensure sufficient pedal travel.
Full load on the engine should be given only after it has been preheated to normal operating temperature, which happens quite quickly during movement.
When starting off on slippery road surfaces, avoid turning any of the wheels for a long time, as this may damage the power unit.
Starting the engine
Descriptions of starting procedures for gasoline and diesel engines are given in the subsection The engine turns over but does not start.
Moving off
To disengage the AT selector lever lock, depress the foot brake pedal.
Move the lever to the "D" or "R" position.
Note: Do not rush, wait until the gear is fully engaged - this is especially true during the cold season.
Release the parking brake, - the control lamp
on the instrument cluster (see illustration Instrument cluster design).
Release the foot brake pedal and gently press the gas pedal. Remember that on gasoline models, when the engine is cold, automatic gear shifting occurs at slightly higher than normal crankshaft speeds, which speeds up the process of warming up to normal operating temperature of the catalytic converter.
When the corresponding function of the on-board computer is activated, the doors should automatically lock shortly after the vehicle starts moving.
5-speed automatic transmission mode shift control
Gear shifting while the vehicle is moving is performed automatically depending on the selected position of the AT selector lever, the selection of the transfer case mode ("H" or "L"), the degree to which the gas pedal is depressed and the current speed.
Automatic transmission shifts are automatically adapted to individual driving style by adjusting the shift points. The adaptation process is continuous, taking into account the current values of the operating parameters of the power unit, driving characteristics, and the driver's actions. Information about the selected AT gears is displayed in the corresponding field of the basic page of the multifunctional display (see illustration Layout of the display fields of the base page of the multifunctional display of the on-board computer).
The procedures for starting the engine and moving the vehicle from a standstill are described in the previous subsections (see above).
(Publication taken from an online resource: MercedesMan)
When driving, keep in mind that moderate pressing of the gas pedal ensures earlier switching of the transmission to a higher gear, while with strong pressing the switching occurs later.
Pressing the gas pedal to the floor (with overcoming the point of resistance) causes the AT to automatically downshift (kickdown mode), providing the car with increased dynamic qualities. When the pedal is released, the transmission returns to the original higher gear, corresponding to the characteristics of the current speed mode.
When temporarily stopped, do not move the selector lever out of the "D" position, but hold the vehicle stationary using the foot brake or parking brake.
When maneuvering in a confined space, regulate your speed by gradually releasing the foot brake. Try not to press the gas pedal too hard or "play" with it.
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, select AT limiting modes (3 or 2, depending on the steepness of the slopes), in particularly dangerous areas, activate the low ("L") mode of the transfer case.
Positions of the AT selector lever with an electronic selector module equipped with a sequential switching function for operating ranges in the "D" mode
Attention! When driving on slippery road surfaces, do not brake the transmission by activating the limiting modes ("3", "2" or "1"), as this may lead to loss of traction of the wheels with the road! Remember that engine braking is always associated with a sharp increase in its speed, which is fraught with serious internal damage to the power unit.
Positions of the AT range selector lever (shift indication is displayed in the corresponding field of the basic page of the multi-function display, see Section Brake Assist (BAS))
The transmission range selector lever can be in one of four fixed positions. The engine can only be started in the "P" or "N" positions of the lever. If you stop when the AT is in the "D" range of movement or in the "N" mode, you must completely release the gas pedal and press the brake pedal to reliably brake the car.
When shifting AT, move the lever along the guide groove.
When the key is removed from the ignition switch, the selector lever is locked in the "P" position. In this case, it is impossible to move the lever out of the "P" position even when the brake pedal is depressed. A description of the emergency release procedure for the lever lock is given below. To avoid damage to the automatic transmission, move the lever to the "P" position only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Note: Removing the key from the ignition switch becomes possible only after moving the selector lever to the "P" position and releasing the foot brake pedal.
Standard ranges
Position "P". In this position of the selector lever, the transmission is locked, providing additional protection for the parked vehicle. Always move the selector lever to the "P" position when turning off or starting the engine. In order to move the range selector lever out of the "P" position, it is necessary to depress the brake pedal, having previously released the gas pedal. Move the selector lever to the right and move it out of the "P" position.
Position "R". Techniques for operating the range selector lever when moving it from position "P" to position "R" (Reverse) described above. Only turn the lever to the "R" position from the "N" (Neutral) position after the car has come to a complete stop - if this attempt is unsuccessful, press the foot brake pedal and slowly move the lever first back to the "N" position, then to the "R" position.
Position "N". Use the "N" (Neutral) position when starting a stalled engine while driving and when briefly stopping the car with the engine running. If you need to leave the car for any reason, first move the range selector lever to the "P" position. When moving the lever from the "N" position, depress the foot brake pedal.
Warning! Shifting the transmission into the "N" position while driving carries the risk of serious internal damage to the gearbox! Use this position only if there is a risk of skidding when driving on a slippery road surface with the anti-skid system (ESP) switched off, and also if it is necessary to engage the transfer case.
Position "D". In this position, the range selector lever should be constantly in motion when the car is moving in normal road conditions - automatic switching of the AT between five forward gears is ensured in accordance with changes in the speed mode and the degree of squeezing the gas pedal. For a sharp acceleration of the car when the transmission is operating in the "D" range, press the gas pedal all the way down. In this case, the gearbox will automatically switch to the adjacent lower gear (kickdown mode).
Note: If the driving speed is low, the shift may occur down two gears at once.
Ranges for movement in special conditions
When the transmission is in the "D" position, it is possible to manually switch it to ranges for driving in special conditions ("4", "3", "2" and "1").
Emergency release of the selector lever lock in position "P"
A slight push of the lever to the left ("D-") results in a transition to the adjacent lowering range of the AT. When holding the lever in the "D-" position, the transmission switches to a range that provides the optimal dynamic qualities of the car in accordance with the active current gear. Information about the change in ranges is displayed in the indicator field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
Note: When the lever is moved to the "D-" position while driving at excessively high speed, the transmission mode shifting is blocked to prevent an unacceptable increase in engine speed.
Pressing the lever to the "D+" position causes the transmission to shift to the adjacent higher range. Holding the lever in the "D+" position allows you to return to the standard "D" mode.
Note: When the transfer case is in the low-range mode ("L"), engine protection is provided by blocking the shifting to higher gears.
Position "4". If the range selector lever is in position "4", the automatic transmission functions in the same way as in the case of range "D". The difference is that the shift to fifth gear is excluded.
Position "3". In this position, the transmission shifting is limited to third gear. The mode can be used to perform engine braking. Switching on range "3" is also useful for eliminating unnecessary cyclic shifting of the automatic transmission between third and fourth gears - such cyclic shifting of the gearbox can be observed, for example, when driving in dense traffic with frequent slowdowns and stops.
Position "2". When range "2" is engaged, the automatic transmission will constantly operate in second gear. It is recommended to use this limitation when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or for engine braking on a steep descent. When the vehicle is stopped, the gearbox does not shift to first gear. Constant engagement of second gear ensures good traction dynamics of the vehicle on climbs and the possibility of intensive engine braking on steep descents. Range "2" can also be used when starting off on slippery road surfaces or when driving in deep snow, helping to prevent severe slippage of the vehicle's drive wheels. It is recommended to use range "2" when driving on steep mountain passes, when towing a trailer in hilly terrain, and for engine braking on particularly steep descents.
Position "1". When range "1" is engaged, the automatic transmission will constantly operate in first gear. If range "1" is engaged at a speed of over 50 km/h, the transmission will first switch to second gear. Engaging the intermediate stage eliminates abrupt and unexpected engine braking. The mode can be used when driving with a trailer on particularly steep descents and long passes.
Emergency disabling of the selector lever lock in position "P"
The need to disable the AT selector lever lock in the "P" position arises in the event of a breakdown of the locking mechanism, as well as when it is necessary to tow a faulty vehicle.
The switch can be turned off using a regular ballpoint pen or any other suitable object. After pressing the plug, insert the pen into the hole under the selector shift indicator panel and, pressing it down, move the lever out of the parking position. Remove the pen.
Note: To return the plug to its place, push the lever slightly towards the "D" position.
Emergency mode
The transmission's transition to emergency mode is indicated by deterioration of the vehicle's dynamic characteristics and the transmission's refusal to shift. The possibility of shifting to 2nd gear or reverse gear cannot be ruled out.
In such a situation, you should stop driving, park in a safe place, move the selector lever to the "P" position and turn off the engine.
After waiting at least 10 seconds, start the engine again and move the selector lever to position "D" - 2nd gear will be engaged. Moving the lever to position "R" leads to the inclusion of reverse gear.
The vehicle should be immediately taken to the nearest Mercedes-Benz service station for a detailed diagnostic of the AT and the necessary repairs.