Get Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission Guide for Mercedes GLA SUV First Generation (2013-2019)

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

The engine is not run-

ning smoothly and is

misfiring.

There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical

component of the engine management system.

Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.

Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop.

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

verter and damage it.

The coolant tempera-

ture display is showing

more than 248 ‡

(120 †). The coolant

warning lamp may also

be lit and a warning

tone may sound.

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

is no longer being cooled sufficiently.

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

cool down.

Check the coolant level (Y page 295). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.

Automatic transmission

Important safety notes

WARNING

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.

When engaging transmission position D or R,

always firmly depress the brake pedal and do

not simultaneously accelerate.

WARNING

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.

After switching off the engine, always switch

to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-

cle from rolling away by applying the parking

brake.

DIRECT SELECT lever

Overview of transmission positions

All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): the

DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the

steering column.

For information on the selector lever in AMG

vehicles (Y page 150).

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

148

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

transmission position display (Y page 149)

in the multifunction display.

Transmission position and drive pro-

gram display

The current transmission position and drive

program appear in the 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.

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 park position 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.

i The automatic transmission shifts into

park position P automatically:

if you open the driver's door while the

vehicle is stationary in transmission posi-

tion D or R

if you open the door while traveling at

very low speeds in transmission position

D or R

In addition, a warning tone sounds and a

display message is shown.

Depressing the brake and pushing the

DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disen-

gages the parking lock. The transmission is

in N neutral.

At transmission fluid temperatures below

Ò4 ‡(Ò20 †), you can only shift out of park

position P into another transmission posi-

tion when the engine is running.

In order to shift from park position P

directly into R or D:

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 or the vehi-

cle is moving, do not shift the automatic

transmission directly from D to R, from R to

D or directly to P. The automatic transmis-

sion could otherwise 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.

Further information on the ECO start/stop

function (Y page 145).

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal.

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the

first point of resistance.

Automatic transmission

149

Driving and parking

Shifting to neutral N

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal.

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down

to the first point of resistance.

If the engine has been switched off, the auto-

matic transmission automatically shifts to N.

Remaining in neutral N

If the automatic transmission is to remain in

neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car

washes with a towing device, please observe

the following instructions:

WARNING

If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,

they could:

open the doors, thus endangering other

people or road users.

get out and disrupt traffic.

operate the vehicle's equipment.

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in

motion if, for example, they:

release the parking brake.

shifting the automatic transmission out of

park position P

Start the engine.

There is a risk of an accident and injury.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the

SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never

leave children or animals unattended in the

vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of

reach of children.

Make sure that the ignition is switched on.

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal and keep it depressed.

Shift to neutral N.

Release the brake pedal.

If the electric parking brake is engaged,

release it.

Switch off the ignition and leave the Smart-

Key in the ignition lock.

Engaging drive position D

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal.

Push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past

the first point of resistance.

Selector lever

Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button

Park position with parking lock

Reverse gear

Neutral

Drive

Transmission position and drive pro-

gram display

Example

Transmission position display

;

Drive program display

The current transmission position and drive

program appear in the multifunction display.

150

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Engaging park position P

When the vehicle is stationary, press P but-

ton :.

Transmission positions

Park position

Do not shift the transmission into

position P (Y page 159) unless the

vehicle is stationary. The parking

lock should not be used as a brake

when parking. Always apply the

electronic parking brake in addi-

tion to the parking lock in order to

secure the vehicle.

If the vehicle electronics are mal-

functioning, the transmission may

be locked in position P.

Have the vehicle electronics

checked immediately at a qualified

specialist workshop.

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.

Driving tips

Changing gear

The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-

vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-

mission position D. This automatic gear shift-

ing behavior is determined by:

the selected drive program (Y page 152)

the position of the accelerator pedal

(Y page 151)

the road speed

Accelerator pedal position

Your style of driving influences how the auto-

matic transmission shifts gear:

little throttle: early upshifts

more throttle: late upshifts

Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill

gradients

WARNING

If the clutch overheats, the electronic man-

agement system is automatically deactivated.

Automatic transmission

151

Driving and parking

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.

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 AMG vehicles): the

StopStop VehicleVehicle ShiftShift toto PP LeaveLeave EngineEngine

RunningRunning display message appears in the mul-

tifunction display. You will only be able to

continue your journey once the clutch has

cooled down and the display message in the

multifunction display has disappeared.

AMG vehicles: the

Trans. Oil Overhea‐Trans. Oil Overhea‐

ted Drive on with Care

ted Drive on with Care display message

appears in the multifunction display.

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

Kickdown

AMG vehicles: it is only possible to use kick-

down in temporary manual drive program M.

For further information on manual drive pro-

gram M (Y page 154).

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point.

The automatic 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.

Rocking the vehicle free

Shifting the transmission repeatedly between

gears D and R may help to free the vehicle if it

has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-

cle's engine management system limits the

speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when

shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth

between transmission positions D and R,

move the DIRECT SELECT lever up and down

past the point of resistance.

Program selector button

General notes

The program selector button allows you to

choose between drive programs with differ-

ent driving characteristics.

Example: program selector button

E Economy Comfortable, economical

driving

S Sport Sporty driving style

M Manual Manual gear shifting

Press program selector button : repeat-

edly until the letter for the desired gearshift

program appears in the multifunction dis-

play.

The automatic transmission shifts to

automatic drive program E each time the

engine is started.

152

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 153).

AMG vehicles

C Controlled

Efficiency

Comfortable, economical

driving

S Sport Sporty driving style

M Manual Manual gear shifting

Press program selector button : repeat-

edly until the letter for the desired gearshift

program appears in the multifunction dis-

play.

The automatic transmission shifts to

automatic drive program C each time the

engine is started.

For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 153).

Steering wheel paddle shifters

Left steering wheel paddle shifter (shifts

down)

;

Right steering wheel paddle shifter (shifts

up)

In drive program M, you can change gear

yourself using the steering wheel paddle shift-

ers.

If you pull the left or right steering wheel pad-

dle shifter when in automatic drive program E

(drive program C on AMG vehicles) or S, the

automatic transmission shifts into drive pro-

gram M for a limited time. Depending on

which paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic

transmission immediately shifts into the next

gear down or up.

AMG vehicles: you can activate drive pro-

gram M RACE START (Y page 183) using the

steering wheel paddle shifters.

You can only change gear with the steer-

ing wheel paddle shifters when the trans-

mission is in position D.

For further information on the manual

drive program, see (Y page 154).

Automatic drive program

Drive program E (drive program C on MAG

vehicles) is characterized by the following:

comfort-oriented engine settings.

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner.

Automatic transmission

153

Driving and parking

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 characterized by the fol-

lowing:

sporty engine settings

the automatic transmission shifting up

later

the fuel consumption possibly being higher

as a result of the later automatic transmis-

sion shift points

Manual drive program

Introduction

In manual drive program M, you can change

gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad-

dle shifters. For this, the transmission must

be in position D. The gear currently selected

and engaged is shown in the multifunction

display.

Manual drive program M differs from drive

programs E (drive program C on AMG vehi-

cles) and S with regard to spontaneity,

responsiveness and smoothness of gear

changes.

Gear Driving situations

You can use the engine's braking

effect

You can 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

Switching on the manual drive program

Activating permanently

Press the program selector button

(Y page 152) repeatedly until M appears in

the multifunction display.

Manual drive program M remains active

until drive program E (drive program C on

AMG vehicles) or S is selected.

Activating temporarily

Pull the right or left steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 153).

M is shown in the multifunction display.

Manual drive program M is temporarily

active. Depending on which paddle shifter

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 paddle shifters,

the temporarily active manual drive pro-

gram M will be deactivated automatically

after a limited time, if the driving situation

permits. The automatic transmission

switches to the previously activated drive

program E (drive program C on AMG vehi-

cles) or S. When driving on downhill gradi-

ents, the temporarily active manual drive

program M will only be deactivated if the

accelerator pedal is depressed while the

vehicle is rolling downhill.

154

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Upshifting

Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 153).

The automatic transmission shifts up to the

next gear.

i All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): in

order to prevent engine damage the auto-

matic transmission automatically shifts up:

if the maximum engine speed on the cur-

rently engaged gear is reached and

you continue to accelerate.

AMG vehicles:

In manual drive program M, the automatic

transmission does not shift up automati-

cally even when the engine limiting speed

for the current gear is reached. When the

engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel

supply is cut to prevent the engine from

overrevving. Always make sure that the

engine speed does not reach the red area of

the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of

engine damage.

Shift recommendation

The gearshift recommendations assist you in

adopting an economical driving style. The rec-

ommended gear is shown in the multifunction

display.

Shift to recommended gear ; according

to gearshift recommendation : when

shown in the multifunction display of the

instrument cluster.

AMG vehicles

In manual drive program M, the automatic

transmission does not shift up automati-

cally even when the engine limiting speed

for the current gear is reached. When the

engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel

supply is cut to prevent the engine from

overrevving. Always make sure that the

engine speed does not reach the red area of

the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of

engine damage.

Gear indicator

;

Upshift indicator

Before the engine speed reaches the red area,

an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-

tifunction display.

If the color in the speedometer multifunc-

tion display changes to red and the

UPUP dis-

play message is shown, shift up a gear.

Downshifting

Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 153).

The automatic transmission shifts down to

the next gear.

If you slow down or stop without shifting

down, the automatic transmission auto-

matically shifts down.

For maximum acceleration, pull the left-

hand steering wheel paddle shifter 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

155

Driving and parking

Kickdown

AMG vehicles: it is only possible to use kick-

down in temporary manual drive program M.

You can also use kickdown for maximum

acceleration in manual drive program M.

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point.

The automatic 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 paddle shifters.

If you apply full throttle, the automatic

transmission shifts up to the next gear

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 152) repeatedly until E (drive pro-

gram C in AMG vehicles) or S appears in the

multifunction display.

Deactivating the temporary manual drive

program

Pull and hold the right steering wheel pad-

dle shifter until the automatic transmission

shifts into the last active automatic drive

program E (drive program C on AMG vehi-

cles) or S.

When manual drive program M is deacti-

vated, the automatic transmission in auto-

matic drive program E (drive program C on

AMG vehicles) or S may shift from the cur-

rent gear into a higher or lower gear. This is

dependent on the position of the accelera-

tor pedal, speed and load.

156

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Problems with the transmission

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and MM 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 the vehicle.

Shift the transmission to position P.

Switch off the engine.

Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.

Shift the transmission to position D.

Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-

shop immediately.

Refueling

Important safety notes

WARNING

Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel

incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-

sion.

You must avoid fire, open flames, creating

sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine

and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before

refueling.

WARNING

Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.

There is a risk of injury.

You must make sure that fuel does not come

into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing

and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel

vapors. Keep fuel away from children.

If you or others come into contact with fuel,

observe the following:

Wash away fuel from skin immediately

using soap and water.

If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,

immediately rinse them thoroughly with

clean water. Seek medical assistance with-

out delay.

If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-

tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-

ing.

Immediately change out of clothing which

has come into contact with fuel.

WARNING

Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and

ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and

explosion.

Always touch the vehicle body before opening

the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump

nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is

thereby discharged.

Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a

gasoline engine. Do not switch on the igni-

tion if you accidentally refuel with the

wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter

the fuel system. Even small amounts of the

wrong fuel could result in damage to the

fuel system and the engine. Notify a quali-

fied specialist workshop and have the fuel

tank and fuel lines drained completely.

Refueling

157

Driving and parking

Driving and parking -> Automatic transmission for Your Mercedes GLA SUV First Generation (2013-2019)

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