Accelerator Pedal Position - Mercedes-Benz S-Class Operator's Manual

Automatic transmission
200
Neutral
A
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
shift the transmission to position N
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train.
Drive
7
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by:
the selected drive program (
R
the position of the accelerator pedal
R
( page 200)
Y
the road speed
R

Accelerator pedal position

Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
little throttle: early upshifts
R
more throttle: late upshifts
R
®
is deactivated or faulty:
page 200)
Y
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
Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions D and R
can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions D and R to speeds up
to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift
back and forth between transmission posi-
tions D and R, move the DIRECT SELECT lever
up and down past the point of resistance.
Program selector button
This section describes the program selector
button for all vehicles except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on automatic
drive programs for PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles
( page 285).
Y
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and
X
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles): press pro-