Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2011 Owner's Manual page 167

Automatic transmission
164
! When shifting between 5th and 6th gear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. Otherwise, you could
shift unintentionally into 3rd or 4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the
clutch.
! On long and steep downhill gradients,
especially if the vehicle is laden or towing
a trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2 or 3
in good time. This uses the engine's braking
effect. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly.
Shifting to neutral N
Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X
Move the gear lever to position N :.
X
Neutral N with ECO start/stop func-
tion activated
In neutral N, the engine is switched off if the
vehicle speed is below a certain threshold and
the clutch pedal is not depressed.
For further information on the ECO start/stop
function, see (
Y
page 158).
Engaging reverse gear
! Only shift into reverse gear R when the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could
damage the transmission.
i
The ECO start/stop function is not avail-
able when reverse gear is engaged.
For further information on the ECO start/
stop function, see (
Move the gear lever firmly to the left
X
beyond the point of resistance and then
forwards.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
Shift gear according to gearshift recom-
X
mendation : shown in the multifunction
display of the instrument cluster.
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
page 158).
Y