Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2011 Owner's Manual page 173

Automatic transmission
170
When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict
the shift range (
The shift range selected is shown in the mul-
tifunction display. The automatic transmis-
sion shifts only as far as the selected gear.
Shift range
= To use the engine's braking effect
5 To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
on steep mountain roads
R
in mountainous terrain
R
in arduous conditions
R
4 To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Restricting the shift range
Press the selector lever to the left towards
X
D–.
or
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
X
paddle.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i
If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i
If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted.
Derestricting the shift range
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
X
towards D+.
page 169).
Y
or
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
X
paddle.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction
Press and hold the selector lever towards
X
D+ until D is shown once more in the mul-
tifunction display.
or
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
X
gearshift paddle until D is shown again in
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range
Press the selector lever to the left towards
X
D– and hold it in position.
or
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
X
paddle and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
Manual drive program
Activating the manual drive program
AMG vehicles and vehicles with a DIRECT
SELECT lever: you can select manual drive
program M using the program selector or the
drive program selector button. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles if the
transmission is in position D.
Standard vehicles with a selector lever:
you can select manual drive program M using
the program selector button. You can change
gear using the steering wheel gearshift pad-