Automatic Transmission; One-Touch Gearshifting - Mercedes-Benz 2003 M-Class Operator's Manual

Automatic transmission

Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the "Getting start-
ed" section ( page 44).
Your transmission adapts its gear shifting
process to your individual driving style by
continually adjusting the shift points up or
down. These shift point adjustments are
performed based on current operating and
driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, dependent
upon
the selector lever position D with gear
ranges 4, 3, 2, 1
the position of the accelerator pedal
( page 117)
the vehicle speed
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
of P or N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
When the selector lever is in position D,
you can influence transmission shifting by
limiting the gear range
changing gears yourself
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission

One-touch gearshifting

G
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in position D.
Downshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D– direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear to the next lower gear. This
action simultaneously limits the gear
range of the transmission
( page 114).
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
G
113