Get Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission Guide for Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2017)

DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)

166

Problem

Vehicles with a petrol There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions

engine:

component of the engine management system.

The engine is not run-

ning smoothly and is

misfiring.

X

Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.

Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-

verter and damage it.

X

Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop.

The coolant tempera-

The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine

ture display is showing is no longer being cooled sufficiently.

more than 120 †. The

X

Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to

cool down.

Check the coolant level (Y page 326). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary.

coolant warning lamp

may also be on and a

warning tone may

sound.

X

If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.

The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled

sufficiently.

X

If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue

driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.

X

Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in

mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.

hours, drive program C is activated when the

engine is next started.

DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles

except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)

Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change

the drive program. Depending on the drive

program selected, the following vehicle char-

acteristics will change:

R

the drive (engine and transmission man-

agement)

R

the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-

tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)

R

the steering

R

the availability of the ECO start/stop func-

tion

the climate control

X

Press DYNAMIC SELECT controller : as

many times as necessary until the desired

drive program is selected.

R

The selected drive program appears in the

multifunction display. After five seconds

the display goes out and the status icon of

the selected drive program appears.

If the ignition is switched off for less than four

hours, the previously selected drive program

is activated when the engine is next started. If

the ignition is switched off for more than four

DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)

167

In addition, the current drive program set- If the ignition is switched off for less than four

tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or hours, the previously selected drive program

COMAND Online display.

is activated when the engine is next started. If

the ignition is switched off for more than four

hours, drive program C is activated when the

engine is next started.

i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop

function is deactivated at the factory due to

the quality of the available fuel. In this case,

the ECO start/stop function is not available

in any drive program, regardless of the dis-

play in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online

display.

Available drive programs:

C Comfort

S Sport

Comfortable and econom-

ical driving characteristics

Sporty driving character-

istics

I Individual

E Economy

Individual settings

X

Turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller : as

many times as necessary until the desired

drive program is selected.

The selected drive program appears in the

multifunction display. After five seconds

the display goes out and the status icon of

the selected drive program appears.

Particularly economical

driving characteristics

Additional information for drive programs

(Y page 175).

You can also change gear yourself using the

steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further

information on the manual drive program

(Y page 177).

The drive program indicator on DYNAMIC

SELECT controller : lights up in red.

Available drive programs:

I Individual

C Comfort

Individual settings

Comfort-orientated,

engine and transmission

settings optimised for

economy

DYNAMIC SELECT controller

(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)

Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to

change the drive program. Depending on the

drive program selected, the following vehicle

characteristics will change:

S Sport

Sporty engine and trans-

mission settings

S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty trans-

R

the drive

the transmission management

mission settings

R

®

RACE

R

Maximum sportiness and

engine and transmission

settings suitable for the

racetrack

ESP

the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE

CONTROL)

the availability of the ECO start/stop func-

tion

R

Additional information for drive programs

(Y page 175).

the availability of gliding mode

Z

Manual transmission

168

You can also change gear yourself using the

steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further

information on the manual drive program

(Y page 177).

Shifting to neutral N

Manual transmission

Gear lever

! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is

depressed.

! When shifting to 5th and 6th gear, you

must press the shift lever to the right. Oth-

erwise, you could shift unintentionally into

3rd or 4th gear and damage the engine or

transmission.

X

Depress the clutch pedal fully.

Shift the gear lever to position N :.

X

If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-

mission braking), this can cause the engine

to overrev, leading to engine damage.

Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the

vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.

There is otherwise a risk of damaging the

clutch.

Engaging reverse gear

! Only shift into reverse gear R when the

vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could

damage the transmission.

X

Pull the gear lever up, push it to the left and

then pull it back.

The ECO start/stop function is not available

when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-

mation on the ECO start/stop function

(Y page 162).

! On long and steep downhill gradients,

especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a

trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2 or 3 in

good time. This uses the engine's braking

effect. This relieves the load on the brake

system and prevents the brakes from over-

heating and wearing too quickly.

Gearshift recommendation

The gearshift recommendations assist you in

adopting an economical driving style. The rec-

ommended gear is shown in the multifunction

display.

k

Reverse gear

Forward gears

X

Shift gear according to gearshift recom-

1 - 6

mendation : when shown in the multi-

function display of the instrument cluster.

Automatic transmission

169

Drive programs

Automatic transmission

Important safety notes

Drive program C (Comfort)

Drive program C is characterised by the fol-

WARNING

G

lowing:

If the engine speed is above the idling speed

and you engage transmission position D or R,

the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is

a risk of an accident.

R

the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-

cal driving characteristics.

R

the vehicle having improved driving stabil-

When engaging transmission position D or R,

always firmly depress the brake pedal and do

not simultaneously accelerate.

ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.

Drive program S (Sport)

Drive program S is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

WARNING

G

The automatic transmission switches to neu-

tral position N when you switch off the engine.

The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an

accident.

R

sporty engine settings.

Drive program I (Individual)

After switching off the engine, always switch

to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-

cle from rolling away by applying the parking

brake.

In drive program I the following properties of

the drive program can be selected:

R

the drive (engine and transmission man-

agement)

R

the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-

tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)

the steering

the availability of the ECO start/stop func-

DIRECT SELECT lever

R

Overview of transmission positions

R

tion

R

the climate control

Information about configuring drive program I

with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be

found in the Digital Owner's Manual.

Drive program E (Economy)

Drive program E is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

R

the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economi-

cal driving characteristics.

the vehicle having improved driving stabil-

ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.

j

Park position with parking lock

Reverse gear

Neutral

Drive

k

R

i

h

R

theperformanceoftheair-conditioningand

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-

cles): the DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right

of the steering column.

heating systems is reduced.

Z

Automatic transmission

170

For information on the selector lever in

Mercedes-AMG vehicles (Y page 172).

The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to

its original position. The current transmission

position P, R, N or D appears in the transmis-

sion position display in the multifunction dis-

play (Y page 170).

Transmission position and drive pro-

gram display

j

k

i

h

Park position with parking lock

Reverse gear

Neutral

The current transmission position and drive

program appear in the multifunction display.

Drive

X

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-

tion of arrow P.

Transmission position display P is shown in

the multifunction display.

When you have engaged park position P,

make sure that the transmission position dis-

play shows P in the multifunction display.

You can only engage park position P when the

vehicle is stationary.

Depressing the brake and pushing the

DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disengages

the parking lock. The transmission is in neu-

tral N.

At transmission fluid temperatures below

Ò20 †, you can only shift out of park position

P into another transmission position when

the engine is running.

:

Transmission position

Gear

Drive program display

;

=

The arrows in the transmission position dis-

play show how and into which transmission

positions you can shift using the DIRECT

SELECT lever.

If the transmission position display in the mul-

tifunction display is not working, you should

pull away carefully to check whether the

desired transmission position is engaged.

Ideally, you should select transmission posi-

tion D and drive program E or S.

In order to shift from park position P directly

into R or D:

Engaging park position P

R

depress the brake pedal and

push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down

past the first point of resistance

! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift

the automatic transmission directly from D

to R, from R to D or directly to P. Otherwise,

the automatic transmission could be dam-

aged.

R

Automatic transmission

171

Engaging park position P automatically Shifting to neutral N

Park position P is automatically engaged if:

WARNING

G

If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,

they can:

R

you switch off the engine using the key and

remove the key

R

you switch off the engine using the key or

using the Start/Stop button and open the

driver's door or front-passenger door

you open the driver's door when the vehicle

is stationary or when driving at a very low

speed and the transmission is in position D

or R

R

open doors and endanger other persons or

road users

climb out and be injured by the traffic

operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-

R

ple, trap themselves.

Children could also set the vehicle in motion,

for example by:

Under certain conditions, the automatic

transmissionshiftsautomaticallytotransmis-

sion position P if the HOLD function or

DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Observe the

information on the HOLD function

(Y page 205) and on DISTRONIC PLUS

(Y page 199).

R

releasing the parking brake

shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P

R

starting the engine.

There is a risk of an accident and injury.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the key

with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave

children unattended in the vehicle. Always

keep the key out of reach of children.

Engaging reverse gear R

! Only shift the automatic transmission to R

when the vehicle is stationary.

X

If the transmission is in position D or R:

push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down

to the first point of resistance.

If the transmission is in position P: depress

the brake pedal and push the DIRECT

SELECT lever up or down to the first point of

resistance.

X

If the transmission is in position D or N:

push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the

first point of resistance.

If the transmission is in position P: depress

the brake pedal and push the DIRECT

SELECT lever up past the first point of

resistance.

X

If you switch the engine off with the trans-

mission in position R or D, the automatic

transmission shifts to N automatically.

With the key: if you then open the driver's

door or the front-passenger door or remove

the key from the ignition, the automatic trans-

mission shifts to P automatically.

The ECO start/stop function is not available

when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-

mation on the ECO start/stop function

(Y page 162).

With the Start/Stop button: if you then

open the driver's door or the front-passenger

door, the automatic transmission shifts to P

automatically.

If you want the automatic transmission to

remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the

vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with

a towing system:

Z

Automatic transmission

172

With the key:

Selector lever (Mercedes-AMG vehi-

cles)

X

Switch the ignition on.

X

Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

Overview of transmission positions

X

Shift to neutral N.

X

Release the brake pedal.

X

Release the electric parking brake.

X

Switch off the ignition and leave the key in

the ignition lock.

With the Start/Stop button:

X

Remove the Start/Stop button from the

ignition lock.

X

Insert the key into the ignition lock.

j

Park position with parking lock

Reverse gear

Neutral

Drive

X

Switch the ignition on.

Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

Shift to neutral N.

k

X

i

h

X

Release the brake pedal.

Release the electric parking brake.

Switch off the ignition and leave the key in

the ignition lock.

Transmission position and drive pro-

gram display

X

The current transmission position and drive

program appear in the multifunction display.

Engaging drive position D

X

If the transmission is in position R or N:

push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past

the first point of resistance.

X

If the transmission is in position P: depress

the brake pedal and push the DIRECT

SELECT lever down past the first point of

resistance.

:

Transmission position display

Drive program display

;

If the transmission position display in the mul-

tifunction display is not working, you should

pull away carefully to check whether the

desired transmission position is engaged.

Ideally, you should select transmission posi-

tion D and drive program C or S.

Automatic transmission

173

Engaging park position P

Transmission positions

Park position

B

This prevents the vehicle from roll-

ing away when stopped.

Only shift the transmission into

position P when the vehicle is sta-

tionary (Y page 170). The parking

lock should not be used as a brake

when parking. In order to secure

the vehicle, always apply the elec-

tric parking brake in addition to the

parking lock.

X

When the vehicle is stationary, press but-

ton :.

In the event of a malfunction of the

vehicle's electronics, the transmis-

sion may lock in position P. Have

the vehicle electronics checked

immediately at a qualified special-

ist workshop.

Park position P is automatically

engaged if:

R

you switch off the engine using

the key and remove the key

R

you switch off the engine using

the key or using the Start/Stop

button and open the driver's

door or front-passenger door

R

you open the driver's door when

the vehicle is stationary or when

driving at a very low speed and

the transmission is in position D

or R

Reverse gear

C

Only shift the transmission into

position R when the vehicle is sta-

tionary.

Z

Automatic transmission

174

Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill

gradients

Neutral

A

Do not shift the transmission to N

while driving. Otherwise, the auto-

matic transmission could be dam-

aged.

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.

WARNING

G

If the clutch overheats, the electronic man-

agement system is automatically deactivated.

This interrupts the power transmission. The

vehicle may, for example, roll backwards on

gradients. There is a risk of an accident.

Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill

gradients by depressing the accelerator.

If ESP^®is deactivated or faulty:

shift the transmission to position N

if the vehicle is in danger of skid-

ding, e.g. on icy roads.

If you switch the engine off with the

transmission in position R or D, the

automatic transmission shifts to N

automatically.

The clutch may overheat if you hold the vehi-

cle stationary on uphill gradients by depress-

ing the accelerator pedal. If the clutch over-

heats, a warning tone sounds.

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-

cles): the Stop vehiclee SShhiifftt ttoo PP

Leave engiinnee rruunnnniinngg display message

appears in the multifunction display. You will

only be able to continue your journey once the

clutch has cooled down and the display mes-

sage in the multifunction display has disap-

peared.

! Rolling in neutral N can lead to

damage to the transmission.

Drive

7

The automatic transmission

changes gear automatically. All

forward gears are available.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the Trans. oil

overheatedd DDrriivvee oonn wwiitthh ccaarree display

message appears in the multifunction dis-

play.

Do not hold the vehicle stationary on uphill

gradients by depressing the accelerator

pedal. Instead, only ever hold the vehicle sta-

tionary on uphill gradients by:

Driving tips

Changing gear

The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-

vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-

mission position D. Gearshifting is deter-

mined by:

R

depressing the brake pedal

R

activating the HOLD function

R

engaging the electric parking brake

R

the selected drive program

Kickdown

R

the position of the accelerator pedal

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:

R

the road speed

X

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

Accelerator pedal position

pressure point.

The transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on the engine speed.

Ease off the accelerator pedal once the

desired speed is reached.

The automatic transmission shifts back up.

Your style of driving influences how the auto-

matic transmission shifts gear:

X

R

little throttle: early upshifts

R

more throttle: late upshifts

Automatic transmission

175

Drive program S (Sport)

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible

to use kickdown in the automatic drive pro-

grams and in temporary manual drive pro-

gram M. When manual drive program M is

selected permanently, kickdown is not pos-

sible.

Drive program S is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

R

sporty engine settings.

R

the automatic transmission shifting up

later. as a result of the later automatic

transmission shift points, the fuel con-

sumption possibly being higher.

For further information on kickdown in man-

ual drive program M (Y page 179).

Drive program I (Individual)

Towing a trailer

In drive program I the following properties of

the drive program can be selected:

Towing a trailer is not possible with all mod-

els. For further information, see

(Y page 231).

R

the drive (engine and transmission man-

agement)

X

Drive in the middle of the engine speed

R

the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-

tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)

range on uphill gradients.

X

Depending on the uphill or downhill gradi-

R

the steering

the availability of the ECO start/stop func-

tion

ent, select a lower gear (Y page 189), even

if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS, or

SPEEDTRONIC are activated.

R

the climate control

Information about configuring drive program I

with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be

found in the Digital Owner's Manual.

Drive programs

All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG

vehicles)

i To permanently select the gears in drive

program I using the steering wheel pad-

dles, select the M (manual) setting for the

drive.

Drive program C (Comfort)

Drive program C is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

Drive program E (Economy)

R

the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-

Drive program E is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

cal driving characteristics.

R

the vehicle pulling away more gently in

R

forward and reverse gears unless the accel-

erator pedal is depressed fully.

comfort-oriented engine settings.

R

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

R

the vehicle having improved driving stabil-

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner.

ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.

R

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

the vehicle pulling away more gently in

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low

engine speed range and the wheels are less

likely to spin.

forward and reverse gears unless the accel-

erator pedal is depressed fully.

the vehicle having improved driving stabil-

R

ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.

R

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner. This results in the vehicle being

Z

Automatic transmission

176

Drive program S (Sport)

driven at lower engine speeds and the

wheels being less likely to spin.

Drive program S is characterised by the fol-

R

gliding mode is activated automatically

when engine-internal conditions are fulfil-

led and the accelerator is not depressed. At

the same time the transmission’s clutch

opens and the vehicle rolls freely using its

kinetic energy. As a result great distances

can be completed without the engine brake

and fuel consumption reduced.

lowing:

R

the vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-

teristics

R

the automatic transmission shifting up

later. as a result of the later automatic

transmission shift points, the fuel con-

sumption possibly being higher.

R

the suspension exhibits stiff springing and

damping settings (vehicles with AIR RIDE

CONTROL).

gliding mode is not available.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles

Drive program I (Individual)

R

In drive program I the following properties of

the drive program can be selected:

R

the ECO start/stop function is not availa-

ble.

R

the drive (engine management)

the transmission management

the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE

CONTROL)

Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)

R

Drive program S+ is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

R

the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-

®

R

ESP

ing characteristics.

Information about configuring drive program I

with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be

found in the Digital Owner's Manual.

R

the automatic transmission shifting up

later.

as a result of the later automatic transmis-

R

sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-

sibly being higher.

the suspension exhibits particularly stiff

springing and damping settings (vehicles

with AIR RIDE CONTROL).

gliding mode is not available.

Drive program C (Comfort)

Drive program C is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

R

the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-

cal driving characteristics.

R

the vehicle pulling away more gently in

R

the ECO start/stop function is not availa-

ble.

forward and reverse gears unless the accel-

erator pedal is depressed fully.

R

Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG

RIDE CONTROL)

the vehicle having improved driving stabil-

ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low

engine speed range and the wheels are less

likely to spin.

Drive program RACE is characterised by the

following:

R

the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics

suitable for the racetrack.

R

all vehicle systems are set for maximum

R

gliding mode is available.

the ECO start/stop function is available.

sportiness.

R

the automatic transmission shifting up

later.

Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2017)

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