Mercedes-Benz R-Class Owner's Manual page 120

the vehicle pulling away more gently in
R
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
an increase in traction. This improves the
R
driving stability of the vehicle on slippery
road surfaces, for example.
the automatic transmission shifting up
R
sooner. The vehicle is driven at lower
engine speeds and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Gearshift program S is characterised by the
following:
the vehicle pulling away in first gear.
R
the automatic transmission shifting up
R
later.
Driving tips
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
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
X
pressure point.
The 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.
Trailer towing
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
X
range on uphill gradients.
Shift down to shift range 3 or 2 depending
X
on the incline of the uphill or downhill gra-
dient ( page 115), even if cruise control is
Y
activated.
DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gear-
shift buttons
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons.
Transmission
Left-hand button: to restrict the shift
1
range
Right-hand button: to derestrict the shift
2
range
i
When the automatic transmission is in
position P, N or R, you cannot shift gears
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons.
Derestricting the shift range
Press right-hand button 2 on the steering
X
wheel.
The shift range is derestricted
( page 115). The automatic transmission
Y
shifts up to the next gear.
i
If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
Controls
Z
117