Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 Owner's Manual page 106

A
Neutral
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
Do not shift the transmission into
position N while driving. Other-
wise, the automatic transmission
could be damaged.
®
If ESP is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to N if
the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
e.g. on icy roads.
7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Touchshift in vehicles with a selector
lever
When the selector lever is in position D, you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by:
changing gear yourself using the selector
R
lever or the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles*
restricting/derestricting the shift range
R
To shift up/down: briefly push the selec-
X
tor lever to the right towards D+ or to the
left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up/down depending on the gear
currently selected. This also restricts/
derestricts the shift range.
i
To prevent the engine from overrevving,
the automatic transmission does not shift
down if you push the selector lever towards
D– while driving at too high a speed.
To derestrict the shift range: press and
X
hold the selector lever towards D+ until D
* optional
is shown once more in the multifunction
display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
To select the most effective shift
X
range: press and hold the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
range which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears.
Shift ranges
When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict
the shift range.
Briefly push the selector lever to the left/
X
right towards D+/D–.
The shift range selected is shown in the
multifunction display. The automatic trans-
mission shifts only as far as the selected
gear.
i
If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted.
Driving situations
= The braking effect of the engine can
be used in this position
5 To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
on steep mountain roads
R
in mountainous terrain
R
in arduous conditions
R
4 To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and long downhill
stretches
Transmission
Z
103