Mercedes-Benz 2002 M-Class Operator's Manual page 191

Instruments
Operation
and controls
Automatic transmission
Briefly press selector lever in the "D +" direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the "D +" direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
directly to gear range "D".
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your
vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of
control.
Important!
With transmission in gear range "D", "4" or "3",
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
Instrument
Driving
cluster display
188
Practical hints Car care
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95 ° F (35 ° C).
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Technical
Index
data