shift MERCEDES-BENZ C320 2002 W203 Owner's Manual

92 Rear view mirrors
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking position exterior rear view mirror
(only vehicles with memory function)
The passenger side exterior mirror can be adjusted and
programmed to assist the driver during parking
maneuvers (e.g. to observe the curb or other objects
close to the vehicle).
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, and
the exterior rear view mirror switch in the passenger
side position, the passenger side mirror will be turned
downward when placing the gear selector lever in “R”
reverse.Note:
For activating the mirror adjustment, see under
individual setting menu “CONVENIENCE” – “MIRROR
SETTING WHEN PARKING”, on page 134.
The mirror position can now be adjusted as desired.
The passenger side mirror will return to its previous
position:
•immediately at speeds above approx. 6 mph
(10km/h)–independent of the engaged gear,
•after 10 seconds when shifting gear selector lever
from “R” Reverse,
•by pressing the driver’s side mirror button%.
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145 Exterior lamp switch
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Daytime running lamp mode
Turn exterior lamp switch to positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam headlamps
are automatically switched on. In low ambient light
conditions the parking lamps will also switch on.
•Canada only:
When shifting from a driving position to
position “N” or “P”, the low beam switches off
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch
should be turned to position B to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.•USA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be activated
when driving with the daytime running lamp mode
activated and exterior lamp switch in positionM.
To activate the daytime running lamp mode, see the
individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” on page 128.
Note:
See page 143 for notes on the exterior lamp switch.
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248 Starting and turning off the enginge
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Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in
neutral). Turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do n ot de pr ess accelerato r. B rie f ly turn electron ic key i n
starter switch clockwise to the stop and release. The
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal,
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock.
Turn electronic key in starter switch clockwise to the
stop. Release only when the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 269.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the starter switch to
position 0 to turn off the engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.
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249 Manual transmission
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual transmission
See illustration for gearshift lever positions
corresponding to the individual gears.Stop the vehicle completely before shifting into reverse;
to shift into reverse, pull the gearshift lever up.
Do not exceed the maximum engine speed in the
individual gears. Refer to tachometer (see page 101) for
engine speeds.
Important!
When vehicle is parked, always be sure to engage first
or reverse gear and firmly set parking brake.
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
Downshifting gears leading to overrevving the engine
can result in engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not exceed engine speed limits, see page 101.
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250 Manual transmission
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Wa r n i n g !
For vehi cl es eq ui pped w it h a m an ual tra ns mi s si on,
getting out of your vehicle with the gearshift lever
not engaged in 1st or reverse gear and parking
brake engaged is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, an engaged 1st or
reverse gear alone may not prevent your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to
engaging 1st or reverse gear, see page 260 for
parking brake.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gearshift lever, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces as well as high engine
speeds, never downshift in order to obtain braking
action. This could result in drive wheel slip and
reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
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251 Automatic transmission
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Program mode selector
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.
P 27.00-2070-27
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252 Automatic transmission
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Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
ac celeration . On ce t he d es ire d s peed is attain ed , eas e up
on the accelerator — the transmission shifts up again.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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253 Automatic transmission
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
A ls o, w hen pa rked on a n in c li ne, pos i tion “P” a lon e
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 260 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the selector lever from position “P”, which could
result in an accident or serious injury.
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254 Automatic transmission
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Selector lever position
1Program mode indicator,
see page 258
2Gear range indicators
The current selector lever position is highlighted in the
gear range indicator display (2). The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.3Light emitting gear range indicators
There is an additional indication of the current selector
lever position on the cover of the shifting-gate. The
indicators (3) come on when a switch is activated (e.g.
unlocking the vehicle or opening a door). It stays on for
approx. 15 minutes.
The automatic gear shifting process can be adapted to
specific operating conditions using the selector lever.
3333
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255 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Note:
The electronic key can only be removed from the
starter switch with the selector lever in
position “P”. With the electronic key removed, the
selector lever is locked in position “P”.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
stopped.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” the maximum speed in the
reverse gear is different. However, it is not
possible to change the program mode while in
reverse.Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do
not engage “N” while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on
icy roads, see page 268 for winter driving
instructions).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason with selector lever in “N” can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.
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