automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2000 User Guide

199 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of
the engine’s braking power when descending
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km / h).
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200 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1)
for Standard “S” and Winter / Wet (snow and ice) “W”
program modes.SStandard mode
Press switch on symbol “S”. Use this mode for all
regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.
Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly
(not into kickdown position) while driving
continuously, rather than depressing the
accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause
the automatic transmission to shift down into a
lower gear. This gear shifting process is
dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing
the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the
engine’s braking power during performance
driving.
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201 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency operation
(Limp home mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1. Sto p t h e v e h i c l e .
2. Move selector lever to position “P”.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
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214 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
automatic transmission shifts down (max. to 3rd gear)
to maintain the set cruise control speed by using the
engine’s braking power.As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
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253 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................254
Stowing things in the vehicle ......254
Fuses ................................................255
Hood .................................................257
Checking engine oil level .............260
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 261
Coolant level ................................... 261
Adding coolant ...........................262
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ...........................263
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........263Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 264
Vehicle jack .................................... 265
Wheels ............................................ 266
Tire replacement ....................... 266
Rotating wheels ......................... 267
Spare wheel .................................... 268
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 268
Spare wheel .................................... 269
Changing wheels ............................271
Tire inflation pressure ..................276
Battery ............................................. 277
Jump starting ................................. 279
Towing the vehicle ........................ 282
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................. 284Exterior lamps ................................285
Headlamp assembly ...................286
Taillamp assemblies ..................289
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key .................. 291
Synchronizing
remote control ............................293
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................293
Rear seat cushion ..........................294
Emergency operation of
sliding / pop-up roof .................295
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................296
Replacing wiper blade insert .......296
Trunk lamp .....................................298
Roof rack .........................................298
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261 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid leaks or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.Coolant level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
The coolant level should reach the black top part of the
reservoir.
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318 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter E 320, E 430
E 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic
transmissionE 320
E 430, E 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.6 US qt (9.1 l)Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.4 US qt (1.3 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Front axle E 320 with AWD
E 430 with AWD0.5 US qt (0.46 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Transfer case E 320 with AWD
E 430 with AWDapprox. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) Automatic transmission f luid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing
grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)
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327 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Economy ..................................................................... 129
Front center console
compartment ventilation .................................... 133
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlet ............................................. 134
Rear window defroster ............................................. 130
Residual engine heat utilization (REST) ............... 132
Special settings ......................................................... 129
Automatic transmission ............................................... 193
Emergency operation ............................................... 201
Fluid level ................................................................... 261
Program mode selector switch ...............................200
Selector lever position .............................................. 196
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .............................................284
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 67
Self-test ......................................................................... 67
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................237
Battery .............................................................................277
Battery recycling .......................................................278
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 241Block heater .................................................................... 210
BRAKE ASSIST -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 242
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 215
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 237
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 320
BRAKE FLUID - malfunction and
warning messages ................................................... 243
BRAKE LINING WEAR -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 243
Brake pad wear .............................................................. 243
Brake warning lamp ..................................................... 235
Brake fluid low ......................................................... 235
Brakes .................................................... 204, 215, 217, 220
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ............................... 318
Cargo tie-down hooks .................................................... 169
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 188
Cellular telephone ..........................................................170
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 37
Central locking system .................................................... 29
Automatic central locking .........................................38
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