Mercedes-Benz C 230 1998 Owner's Manual page 85

Important!
With selector lever in position " D",
"4" or "3", upshifting from 1st to 2nd
to 3rd gear is delayed depending
on vehicle speed and engine te m ­
perature. This allow s the catalytic
converter to heat up m ore quickly
to operating tem peratures.
During the brief w arm -up period
this delayed upshift and increased
engine noise m ight be perceived
as a m alfunction. However, neither
the engine nor transm ission 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 tem peratures below 95°F
(35°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine
when the selector lever is moved to
a lower driving range, the tran s­
mission will not shift to a lower
gear as long as the vehicle speed
exceeds the speed lim it of that
gear.
To prevent the engine from
laboring at low RPMs, do not allow
the engine speed to drop too low
on uphill gradients.
Depending on the degree of the
incline, shift selector lever to a
lower gear range early enough to
maintain engine RPM within the
best torque range.
W arning!
On slippery road surfaces,
never dow nshift in order to
obtain braking action. This
could result in rear wheel slip
and reduced vehicle control.
Your v eh icle's ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of
control.
M aneuvering
To m aneuver in tight areas, e.g.
when pulling into a parking space,
control the car speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate
gently and never abruptly step on
the accelerator.
To rock a car out of soft ground
(mud or snow), alternately shift
from forward to reverse, while
applying slight partial throttle.
Rocking a car free in this m anner
m ay cause the ABS m alfunction
indicator lam p to com e on. Turn off
and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights,
leave the transm ission in gear and
hold vehicle with the service brake.
For longer stops with the engine
idling, shift into " N" or " P" .
W hen stopping the car on an uphill
incline, do not hold it with the
accelerator, use the brake. This
avoids unnecessary transm ission
heat build up.
W arning!
G etting out of your car with
the selecto r lever not fully
engaged in position "P " is
dangerous. A lso, w hen parked
on an incline, position "P "
alone m ay not prevent your
vehicle from m oving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
A lw ays set the parking brake
in addition to shifting to
position "P ".
W hen parked on an incline,
also turn front w heel against
curb.