Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2013 Owner's Manual page 209

Automatic transmission
206
Further information on activating manual
drive program M on hybrid vehicles
( page 287).
Y
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
gearshift paddle, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program M for a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
gearshift paddle is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear up or down, if permitted.
To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
X
wheel gearshift paddle (
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
AMG vehicles: the automatic transmission
will not shift up to the next gear when the
engine speed is very low.
To shift down: pull on the left-hand steer-
X
ing wheel gearshift paddle (
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine dam-
age by not shifting down.
Automatic downshifting occurs when
coasting.
Gearshift recommendation
page 205).
Y
page 205).
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The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
Shift to recommended gear ; according
X
to gearshift recommendation : when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program
M, it will remain active for a certain amount
of time. Under certain conditions the mini-
mum amount of time is extended, e.g. in the
case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun
phase or when driving on steep terrain.
When manual drive program M is deactivated,
the automatic transmission shifts into the
automatic drive program that was last selec-
ted.
You can also deactivate manual drive pro-
gram M yourself:
Pull on the right-hand steering wheel gear-
X
shift paddle and hold it in place
( page 205).
Y
or
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to switch the
X
transmission position.
or
Use the program selector button to change
X
the drive program (
Manual drive program M is deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches to
the previously activated drive program E
(drive program C on AMG vehicles) or S.
Manual drive program (AMG vehicles)
General notes
In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel gearshift paddles. The transmission
must be in position D.
page 204).
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