Get Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission Guide for Mercedes B Class SUV First Generation (2005-2010)

On long and steep downhill gradients,

especially if the vehicle is ladenortowing

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.

Gear lever

Reverse gear

1 to 6

Forward gears

Shifting to neutral N

Depress the clutch pedal fully.

Move the gear lever to position N :.

Neutral N with ECO start/stop func-

tion activated

In neutral N, the engine is switched off if the

vehicle speed is below a certain threshold and

the clutch pedal is not depressed.

For further information on the ECO start/stop

function, see (Y page 129).

Engaging reverse gear

Only shift into reverse gear R when the

vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could

damage the transmission.

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

then pull it back.

The ECO start/stop function is not avail-

able when reverse gear is engaged.

For further information on the ECO start/

stop function: (Y page 129).

Shift recommendation

The gearshift recommendations assist you in

adopting an economical driving style. The rec-

ommended gear is shown in the multifunction

display.

Shift gear according to gearshift recom-

mendation : shown in the multifunction

display of the instrumentcluster.

Automatic transmission

Important safety notes

WARNING

The movementofthe pedals must not be

impaired in any way.Do not keep any objects

in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-

mats or carpets are correctly secured and

that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-

als.

134

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Do not place several floormats on top of one

another.

WARNING

Do not change down for additional engine

braking on a slippery roadsurface. This could

cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and

the vehicle could skid. This could cause you

to lose control of your vehicle and cause an

accident.

WARNING

The clutch may overheat if you hold the vehi-

cle stationary on uphill gradients by depress-

ing the acceleratorpedal. If the clutch does

overheat, a warning tonesounds and a display

message is shown in the multifunction dis-

play. The frictional connection of the clutch

may then be interrupted. The vehicle may roll

away.As a result, you could cause an acci-

dent.

You will only be able to continue you journey

once the clutch has cooled down and the dis-

play message in the multifunction display has

disappeared.

Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill

gradients by depressing the accelerator.

Instead, only ever hold the vehicle stationary

on uphill gradients by

depressing the brake pedal

activating the HOLD function

engaging the electric parking brake

Bear in mind that the power transmission

between the engine and the transmission

is interrupted when the engine is switched

off. Therefore, to prevent the vehicle from

rolling away, shift the automatic transmis-

sion to park position P and apply the elec-

tric parking brake when the engine is

switched off and the vehicle is stationary.

DIRECTSELECT lever

Overview of transmission positions

The DIRECT SELECT leveris on the right of the

steering column.

Park position with parking lock

Reverse gear

Neutral

Drive

The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns

to its original position. The current trans-

mission position P, R, N or D appears in the

transmission position display

(Y page 135) in the multifunction display.

Transmission position and drive pro-

gram display

The current transmission position and drive

program appearinthe multifunction display.

Transmission position display

;

Drive program display

The arrows in the transmission position

display show how and into which transmis-

sion positions you can change using the

DIRECT SELECT lever.

Automatic transmission

135

Driving and parking

If the transmission position display in the

multifunction display is not working, you

should pull away carefully to check whether

the desired transmission position is

engaged. Ideally, you should select trans-

mission position D and drive program E or

Engaging parkposition P

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-

tion of arrow P.

Transmission position display P is shown in

the multifunction display.

When you engage park position P, make

sure that the transmission position display

shows P in the multifunction display.

You can only engage park position P when

the vehicle is stationary.

The automatic transmission shifts into

park position P automatically if you open

the driver's door when the vehicle is sta-

tionary or when driving at very low speed

with the transmission in position D or R. In

addition, a warning tone sounds and a dis-

play message is shown.

If you depress the brake pedal and push

the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down, the

parking lockis disengaged and the trans-

mission shifts to neutral N.

At transmission fluid temperatures below

Ò20 †, you can only shift out of park posi-

tion P into another transmission position

when the engine is running.

If you want to shift from park position P

directly to R or D, depress the brake 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. Other-

wise, the automatic transmission could be

damaged.

Engaging reverse gear R

Only shift the automatic transmission to

R when the vehicle is stationary.

The ECO start/stop function is not avail-

able when reverse gear is engaged.

For further information on the ECO start/

stop function, see (Y page 129).

Depress the brake pedal while the vehicle

is stationary.

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the

first point of resistance.

Shifting to neutral N

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down

to the first point of resistance.

Neutral N with ECO start/stop function

activated

The ECO start/stop function switches the

engine off automatically if the vehicle is

braked to a standstill when in neutral N and

the brake is still depressed.

For further information on the ECO start/stop

function, see (Y page 129).

Drive position D with ECO start/stop

function activated

The ECO start/stop function switches the

engine off automatically if the vehicle is

braked to a standstill when in drive position

D and the brake is still depressed.

For further information on the ECO start/stop

function, see (Y page 129).

Engaging drive position D

Depress the brake pedal while the vehicle

is stationary.

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past

the first point of resistance.

136

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Transmission positions

Park position

This prevents the vehicle fromroll-

ing away when stopped. Do not

shift the transmission into position

P (Y page 144) unless the vehicle

is stationary.

Reverse gear

Only shift the transmission to R

when the vehicle is stationary.

Neutral

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

is deactivated or faulty:

only shift the transmission to posi-

tion N if the vehicle is in danger of

skidding, e.g. on icy roads.

When you switch off the engine, the

automatic transmission automati-

cally shifts into neutral N.

Drive

The automatic transmission

changes gear automatically. All

forward gears are available.

Changing gear

The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-

vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-

mission position D.This automatic gearshift-

ing behaviouris determined by:

the selected drive program (Y page 137)

the position of the accelerator pedal

the road speed

Driving tips

Accelerator pedal position

Your style of driving influences how the auto-

matic transmission shifts gear:

little throttle: early upshifts

more throttle: late upshifts

Kickdown

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

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.

Trailer towing

Drive in the middle of the engine speed

range on uphill gradients.

Depending on the uphill or downhill gradi-

ent, select a lower gear (Y page 147), even

if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS, or

SPEEDTRONIC are activated.

Program selector button

General notes

The program selector button allows you to

choose between drive programs with differ-

ent driving characteristics.

Automatic transmission

137

Driving and parking

Example: programselector button

E Economy Comfortable, economical

driving

S Sport Sporty driving style

M Manual Manual gearshifting

Press program selectorbutton : repeat-

edly until the letterfor the desired gearshift

program appears in the multifunction dis-

play.

The automatic transmission switches to

automatic drive program E each time the

engine is started.

For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 138).

Steering wheel gearshift paddles

Left steering wheel gearshift paddle

(shifts down)

;

Right steering wheel gearshift paddle

(shifts up)

In drive program M, you can change gear

yourself using the steering wheel gearshift

paddles.

If you pull the left or right steering wheel gear-

shift paddle when in automatic drive program

E or S, the automatic transmission shifts into

drive program M for a limited time. Depend-

ing on which gearshift paddle is pulled, the

automatic transmission immediately shifts

into the next gear down or up.

You can only change gear with the steer-

ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-

mission is in position D.

For further information on the manual

drive program, see (Y page 139).

Automatic drive program

Drive program E is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

comfort-oriented engine settings.

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner.

the vehicle pulling away more gently in

forward and reverse gears, unless the

accelerator pedal is depressed fully.

increased sensitivity. This improves driving

stability on slippery road surfaces, for

example.

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner. This results in the vehicle being

driven at lower engine speeds and the

wheels being less likely to spin.

Drive program S is characterised by the fol-

lowing:

sporty engine settings

the automatic transmission shifting up

later

as a result of the later automatic transmis-

sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-

sibly being higher

138

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Manual drive program

Introduction

In manual drive program M, you can change

gearyourself by using the steering wheel

gearshift paddles. For this, the transmission

must be in position D. The gear currently

selected and engaged is shown in the multi-

function display.

Manual drive program M differs from drive

programs E and S with regard spontaneity,

responsiveness and smoothness of gear

changes.

Gear Driving situations

To use the engine's braking effect

To use the braking effect of the

engine on downhill gradients and

for driving:

on steep mountain roads

in mountainous terrain

in arduous conditions

To use the braking effect of the

engine on extremely steep downhill

gradients and on long downhill

stretches

Activating the manual drive program

Activating permanently

Press the program selector button

(Y page 137) repeatedly until M appears in

the multifunction display.

Manual drive program M remains active

until drive program E or S is engaged.

Activating temporarily

Pull the right or left steering wheel gearshift

paddle (Y page 138).

M is shown in the multifunction display.

Manual drive program M is temporarily

active. Depending on which gearshift pad-

dle is pulled, the automatic transmission

immediately shifts into the next gear down

or up.

When manual drive program M is activa-

ted via the steering wheel gearshift pad-

dles, the temporarily active manual drive

program M will be deactivated automati-

cally after a limited time, if the driving sit-

uation permits. In this case, the automatic

transmission shifts into the automatic drive

program that was last engaged, i.e. E or S.

When driving on downhill gradients, the

temporarily active manual drive program

M will only be deactivated if the accelerator

pedal is depressed while the vehicle is roll-

ing downhill.

Upshifting

Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift

paddle (Y page 138).

The automatic transmission shifts up to the

next gear.

If the maximum engine speed on the cur-

rently engaged gear is reached and you

continue to accelerate, the automatic

transmission automatically shifts up in

order to prevent engine damage.

Downshifting

Pull the left-hand steeringwheel gearshift

paddle (Y page 138).

The automatic transmission shifts down to

the next gear.

If you brake the vehicle or stop without

shifting down, the automatic transmission

will shift down to a gear that will allow the

vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.

For maximum acceleration, pull the left-

hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until

the transmission selects the optimum gear

for the current speed.

If the engine exceeds the maximum

engine speed when shifting down, the auto-

matic transmission protects against engine

damage by not shifting down.

Automatic transmission

139

Driving and parking

Kickdown

You can also use kickdown for maximum

acceleration in manual drive program M.

Depress the acceleratorpedal beyond the

pressure point.

The transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on the engine speed.

Shift back up once the desired speed is

reached.

During kickdown, you cannot shift gears

using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.

If you apply full throttle, the automatic

transmission shifts up to the nextgear

when the maximum engine speed is

reached. This prevents the engine from

overrevving.

Switching off the manual drive program

Press the program selector button

(Y page 137) repeatedly until E or S

appears in the multifunction display.

Deactivating the temporary manual drive

program

Pull and hold the right steering wheel gear-

shift paddle until the automatic transmis-

sion shifts into the last active automatic

drive program E or S.

When manual drive program M is deacti-

vated, the automatic transmission in auto-

matic drive program E or S may shift from

the currentgear into a higher or lower gear.

This is dependentonthe position of the

accelerator pedal, speed and load.

140

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission

Problem Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions

The transmission has

problems shifting gear.

The transmission is losing oil.

Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-

shop immediately.

The acceleration ability

is deteriorating.

The transmission no

longer shifts into all of

the gears.

Reverse gear can no

longer be engaged.

The transmission is in emergency mode.

Stop.

Shift the transmission to position P.

Switch off the engine.

Wait at least 10seconds before restarting the engine.

Shift the transmission to position D.

Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-

shop immediately.

Refuelling

Important safety notes

WARNING

Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames

and smoking are therefore prohibited when

handling fuels.

Switch off the engine before refuelling.

WARNING

Avoid contact with fuels.

It is hazardous to your health if your skin

comes into direct contact with fuels or you

breathe in fuel vapours.

WARNING

Do not use petrol to refuel a diesel tank.Never

mix diesel with petrol. Doing so could damage

the fuel system and the engine. The vehicle

could also catch fire.

Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a

diesel engine. Do not use diesel to refuel

vehicles with a petrol engine. Even small

amounts of the wrong fuel result in damage

to the fuel system and the engine.

Do not switch on the ignition if you acci-

dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other-

wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify

a qualified specialist workshop and have

the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com-

pletely.

Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the

fuel system.

Take care not to spill any fuel on painted

surfaces. You could otherwise damage the

paintwork.

Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel

can. The fuel lines and/or the diesel injec-

tion system could otherwise be blocked by

particles from the fuel can.

Further information on fuel and on fuel grades

can be found in the "Fuel" section

(Y page 312).

Refuelling

141

Driving and parking

Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission for Your Mercedes B Class SUV First Generation (2005-2010)

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