Mercedes-Benz GLS Operator's Manual page 153

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
X
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a lower
gear depending on the engine speed.
Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
X
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shifting back and forth between transmission
positions h and k can help to free up the
vehicle if it gets stuck in mud or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when
shifting back and forth. To shift repeatedly
between transmission positions h and k,
move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down
past the point of resistance.
Towing a trailer
Drive in the middle of the engine speed range
X
on uphill gradients.
Depending on the uphill or downhill gradient,
X
use the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( page 152) to select a lower gear,
Y
even if cruise control or Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC are activated.
Drive programs
Slippery drive program
The Slippery drive program has the following
characteristics:
reduced engine and transmission settings for
R
optimum propulsion on slippery or snow-cov-
ered roads.
®
optimized ESP stability control on slippery or
R
snow-covered roads.
the vehicle has improved driving stability on
R
slippery or snow-covered roads, for example.
Automatic transmission
Comfort drive program
The Comfort drive program has the following
characteristics:
comfort-oriented engine and transmission
R
settings.
optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
R
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
R
forward and reverse gears, unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
the automatic transmission shifting up
R
sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven
at lower engine speeds and the wheels being
less likely to spin.
Sport drive program
The Sport drive program has the following char-
acteristics:
sporty engine and transmission settings.
R
the automatic transmission shifting up later.
R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
the suspension exhibits sporty damping (vehi-
R
cles with AIRMATIC).
Drive program Sport Plus (Mercedes-
AMG vehicles)
The Sport Plus drive program has the following
characteristics:
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driving
R
characteristics.
the vehicle pulling away in first gear.
R
the automatic transmission shifting up later.
R
the fuel consumption possibly being higher as
a result of the later automatic transmission
shift points.
the suspension exhibits particularly firm
R
springing and damping settings (vehicles with
AIRMATIC).
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated, it
R
can, however, be activated again using the
ECO button ( page 145).
Y
151
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