Attention! There must not be any foreign objects in the driver's footwell that could restrict the freedom of movement of the pedals! When using non-standard mats or mats, 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 occurs quite quickly during movement.
When starting off on a slippery road surface, avoid turning any of the wheels for a long time, as this may damage the power unit.
Models with 6-speed manual transmission
The gearshift pattern is printed on the end surface of the gear lever handle.
Gearshift diagram using the ML 270 CDI model as an example (to engage reverse gear, you must first pull the lever handle up).
Change gears while driving in accordance with the technical characteristics of the transmission - try not to allow an excessive increase in speed. IN Specifications this Chapter provides data on high-speed gear shifting modes.
Engaging reverse gear should only be done after the vehicle has come to a complete stop - before engaging, the lever handle should be pulled up.
Attention! When driving on slippery road surfaces, braking by the transmission should be avoided, as this can 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.
Models with 5-speed AT
Gear shifting while the car is moving is performed automatically depending on the selected position of the AT selector lever, the position of the program switch, the degree of depressing the gas pedal and the current speed.
Automatic transmission shifts are automatically adapted to individual driving habits by adjusting shift points. The adaptation process goes on continuously, taking into account the current values of the operating parameters of the power unit, the characteristics of the movement, as well as the actions of the driver. The AT responds to changes in driving characteristics with an adapted gearshift program.
Before driving, depress the foot brake pedal to unlock the AT selector lever, then release the parking brake and switch the selector lever to one of the driving positions (see below). Wait until the transmission is fully engaged (especially with a cold engine), then release the foot brake and depress the accelerator pedal.
Remember that until the engine is fully warmed up, gear shifting is carried out at a slightly higher speed, which ensures that the catalytic converter warms up to normal operating temperature more quickly.
When driving, keep in mind that light pressure on the gas pedal ensures an earlier upshift of the transmission, while with a strong pressure, shifts occur later.
Pressing the gas pedal to the floor (overcoming the point of resistance) leads to automatic downshifting of the AT (kickdown mode), providing the car with increased dynamic qualities. When the pedal is released, the transmission returns to a higher gear that meets the characteristics of the current speed mode.
When temporarily stopping, do not remove the selector lever from the position «D» and use the foot or parking brake to secure the vehicle against forward movement due to the terrain.
When maneuvering in tight spaces, adjust your speed by gradually releasing the foot brake. Try to lightly depress the gas pedal and do not «play» her.
When towing a trailer in hilly terrain, select the AT limit modes (3 or 2, depending on the steepness of the slopes), turn on the LOW RANGE off-road driving mode in particularly dangerous areas.
AT selector lever positions with an electronic selector module equipped with the function of sequential switching of switching ranges in mode «D», - release models from 09/01/99
Attention! When driving on slippery road surfaces, do not brake with the transmission by moving the selector lever to limited range modes «3», «2» or «1», as this can 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.
Information about the selected position of the selector lever is displayed in the indication field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
Information about the selected selector lever position (in this case - «D») is displayed in the indication field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
The transmission range selector lever can be in one of eight detent positions). The engine can only be started in positions «P» or «N» lever. If the stop is made when the AT is in one of the ranges of motion «D», «4», «3», «2», «1», «R», or in the mode «N», you must fully release the gas pedal and depress the brake pedal for reliable braking of the car.
Positions of the lever of the selector of ranges АТ (release models from 09/01/99)
When switching AT, move the lever along the guide groove. When the key is removed from the ignition lock, the selector lever is locked in position «R». In this case, the withdrawal of the lever from the position «R» impossible even when depressing the brake pedal. To avoid damage to the AT, move the lever to the position «R» only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Note. Removing the key from the ignition lock becomes possible only after moving the selector lever to the position «R» and releasing the foot brake pedal.
Standard Ranges
Position «R». 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 position «R» when turning off or starting the engine. To move the range selector lever out of position «R», it is necessary to depress the brake pedal, after releasing the gas pedal. Move the selector lever to the right and move it out of position «R».
Position «R». Techniques for controlling the range selector lever when moving it out of position «R» into position «R» (Reverse) described above. Switching the lever to position «R» out of position «N» (neutral) do it only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. If reverse gear does not engage after the vehicle has come to a complete stop, depress the foot brake pedal and slowly move the selector lever first to the «N», then to position «R».
Position «N». use position «N» (neutral) when starting a stalled engine while driving and during short stops of a car with a running engine. If for any reason you need to move away from the vehicle, first move the range selector lever to the position «R». When pulling the lever out of position «N» depress the foot brake pedal.
Attention! Translation of the transmission into position «N» while driving, there is a risk of serious internal damage to the gearbox! Use this position only if the vehicle is in danger of skidding when driving on slippery road surfaces.
Position «D». In this position, the range selector lever must be constantly when the car is moving in normal road conditions - automatic switching of the AT between five forward gears is provided in accordance with changes in the speed mode and the degree of depressing the gas pedal. For a sharp acceleration of the car when the transmission is operating in the range «D», «4» or «3» squeeze the gas pedal to the stop. The transmission will then automatically shift to the next lower gear (kickdown mode). If the vehicle speed is low, the shift may occur two steps down at once.
Note. On models manufactured before 08/31/99, shift range limit positions (4, 3, 2 and 1) also included in the standard.
Positions of the lever of the selector of ranges АТ (release models up to 08/31/99)
Ranges for driving in special conditions
When turned on «D» transmission, it is possible to switch it to ranges for movement in special conditions («4», «3», «2» And «1»).
Slight lever pull to the left («D-») leads to a transition to an adjacent lowering AT range. While holding the lever in position «D-» the transmission is switched to a range that provides optimal dynamic qualities of the car in accordance with the active current gear. Information about changing ranges is displayed in the indication field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
Note. When pushing the lever to the position «D-» while driving at an excessively high speed, the transmission shift is blocked in order to prevent an unacceptable increase in engine speed.
Pressing the lever into position «D+» causes the transmission to move to a higher range adjacent to the current one. Holding the lever in position «D+» allows you to return to standard mode «D».
Position «4». If the range selector lever is in the «4», the automatic transmission functions in the same way as the case of switching the range «D». The difference is that the transition to fifth gear is excluded.
Position «3». In this position, the transmission shift stroke is limited to third gear. The mode can be used to implement engine braking. Turning on the range «3» also useful for avoiding unnecessary automatic transmission cycling between third and fourth gears - such cyclic transmission shifts can occur, for example, when driving in heavy traffic with frequent slowdowns and stops.
Position «2». When the range is turned on «2» the automatic transmission will always operate in second gear. It is recommended to use this limitation when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when applying engine braking on a steep downhill. When the vehicle is stopped, the transmission does not shift into first gear. The constant engagement of the second gear provides good traction dynamics of the car on the slopes 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 slipping of the vehicle's drive wheels. It is recommended to use the range «2» when driving over steep passes, when towing a trailer in hilly terrain, and for engine braking on particularly steep descents.
Position «1». When the range is turned on «1» the automatic transmission will always operate in first gear. If the inclusion of the range «1» produced at speeds over 50 km/h, the transmission will first shift to second gear. The inclusion of an intermediate stage allows you to eliminate sharp and unexpected engine braking. The mode can be used when driving with a trailer on particularly steep descents and long passes.
Emergency mode
The transition of the transmission to the emergency mode of operation is evidenced by the deterioration of the dynamic characteristics and the failure of the transmission to switch. It is not excluded the possibility of switching to 2nd gear or reverse gear.
In such a situation, stop driving, park in a safe place, move the selector lever to the position "R" and turn off the engine.
After waiting at least 10 seconds, restart the engine and move the selector lever to the «D» - 2nd gear is engaged. Moving the lever to position «R» causes reverse gear to be engaged.
The car should be immediately driven to the nearest Mercedes-Benz service station for a detailed diagnosis of the AT and the necessary remedial repairs.