Contents: Models with 6-speed manual…↡ Models with 5-speed AT ↡ Standard ranges ↡ Ranges for movement in special…↡ Emergency mode ↡
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.
Models with 6-speed manual transmission
The gear shift pattern is printed on the end surface of the gear shift lever handle.
Gear shift diagram using the ML 270 CDI model as an example (to engage reverse gear, you must first pull the lever handle up).
Shift gears while driving in accordance with the technical characteristics of the transmission - try not to allow excessive increase in speed Specifications this Chapter provides data on gear shift speed modes.
Reverse gear should be engaged only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop - before engaging, the lever handle should be pulled up.
Warning! When driving on slippery road surfaces, avoid braking with the transmission, 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.
Models with 5-speed AT
Gear shifting while the vehicle is moving is performed automatically depending on the selected position of the AT selector lever, the position of the program switch, the degree of pressing of the gas pedal and the current speed of movement.
Automatic transmission shifts are automatically adapted to individual driving style by adjusting the gear shift moments. 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. The AT responds to changes in driving characteristics with an adapted gear shift program.
Before starting to move, depress the foot brake pedal to release the AT selector lever lock, then release the parking brake and shift the selector lever to one of the drive positions (see below). Wait until the gear is fully engaged (especially when the engine is cold), then release the foot brake and press the gas pedal.
Remember that until the engine has fully warmed up, gear shifting is performed at slightly higher revs, which ensures accelerated warming up of the catalytic converter to normal operating temperature.
When driving, keep in mind that lightly pressing the gas pedal ensures that the transmission shifts to a higher gear earlier, while pressing hard causes the shifts to occur 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 a higher gear that meets the characteristics of the current speed mode.
When temporarily stopped, do not move the selector lever out of the "D" position and use the foot or parking brake to prevent the vehicle from moving forward due to the terrain.
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, switch to the LOW RANGE off-road driving mode.
Positions of the AT selector lever with an electronic selector module equipped with a sequential switching function for switching ranges in "D" mode - models produced from 01.09.99
Warning! When driving on slippery road surfaces, do not brake the transmission by moving the selector lever to the limited range 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.
Information about the selected position of the selector lever is displayed in the indicator field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
Information about the selected position of the selector lever (in this case - "D") is displayed in the indicator field on the tachometer dial, to the left of the clock display.
The transmission range selector lever can be in one of eight fixed positions). The engine can only be started in the "P" or "N" positions of the lever. If the vehicle is stopped while the AT is in one of the ranges of movement "D", "4", "3", "2", "1", "R", or in the "N" mode, then you must completely release the gas pedal and press the brake pedal to reliably brake the car.
AT range selector lever positions (models produced since 01.09.99)
When switching the automatic transmission, 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 from the "P" position even when the brake pedal is depressed. To avoid damage to the automatic transmission, move the lever to the "P" position only after the car 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 engage the lever in the "R" position from the "N" (Neutral) position 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" 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 slippery road surfaces.
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 range "D", "4" or "3", press the gas pedal all the way down. In this case, the gearbox will automatically switch to the adjacent lower gear (kickdown mode). If the vehicle speed is low, the gear shift may occur down two gears at once.
Note: On models produced up to 31.08.99, the positions of the switching range limitations (4, 3, 2 and 1) are also included among the standard ones.
AT range selector lever positions (models produced up to 31.08.99)
Ranges for movement in special conditions
When the transmission is in the "D" position, it is possible to switch it to ranges for driving in special conditions ("4", "3", "2" and "1").
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.
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 mode
The transmission's transition to emergency mode is indicated by deterioration of 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" will engage 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.