Changing Gear; Driving Tips; Kickdown; Program Selector Button - Mercedes-Benz S-Class Operator's Manual

Automatic transmission
182
A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be
damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP
shift the transmission to position
N if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train.
7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.

Changing gear

The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
the selected drive program E/S (drive
R
programs C/S on the AMG vehicles)
( page 182)
Y
the position of the accelerator pedal
R
the road speed
R
®
is deactivated or faulty:

Driving tips

Kickdown

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
X
pressure point.
The automatic 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.
Rocking the vehicle free
Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions D and
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine
management restricts switching between
transmission positions D and R to speeds up
to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift
back and forth between transmission
positions D and R, move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever up and down past the point of
resistance.

Program selector button

All vehicles (except AMG vehicles):
X
press program selector button : to
change the drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display.