automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ E500 2005 W211 Owner's Manual

Contents
Control system .................................. 145
Multifunction display .................... 145
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 146
Menus .......................................... 148
Standard display menu ................ 150
AUDIO menu ................................ 150
NAV* menu .................................. 152
Distronic* menu........................... 152
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 153
Settings menu .............................. 154
Trip computer menu..................... 170
TEL menu* ................................... 171
Automatic transmission ..................... 174
One-touch gearshifting................. 176
Gear ranges ................................. 177
Gear selector lever position ......... 178
Automatic shift programm ........... 179
Driving tips ................................... 180
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) E 55 AMG ................. 181
Manual shift program E 55 AMG .. 183
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 185Good visibility ..................................... 186
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 186
Rear view mirrors.......................... 186
Sun visors ..................................... 188
Rear window sunshade* ............... 189
Roller sunblind* in the rear doors . 190
Rear window defroster .................. 191
Dual-zone automatic climate control .. 192
Deactivating the dual-zone
automatic climate control system. 197
Setting the temperature................ 197
Adjusting air distribution............... 198
Adjusting air volume ..................... 198
Defrosting ..................................... 199
Air recirculation mode .................. 199
Air conditioning............................. 201
Residual heat and ventilation*
(available on climate control
panel design A only)...................... 202
Heater booster system
(Diesel engine) .............................. 2034-zone automatic climate control* ..... 204
Deactivating the 4-zone
automatic climate control system 209
Setting the temperature ............... 210
Adjusting air distribution .............. 210
Adjusting air volume ..................... 211
Defrosting ..................................... 211
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 212
Air recirculation mode .................. 212
Air conditioning ............................ 214
Residual heat and ventilation
(available on climate control
panel design A only) ..................... 215
Rear air conditioning..................... 216
Heater booster system
(Diesel engine) .............................. 217
Power windows .................................. 218
Opening and closing the windows 218
Synchronizing power windows ...... 220
Summer opening feature .............. 220
Convenience closing feature......... 221
Power tilt /sliding sunroof* ............... 223
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof........................ 223
Synchronizing the power tilt/
sliding sunroof .............................. 225

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
268
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
35
3
Selector lever for
automatic transmission
46,
178
4
Parking assist (Parktronic
system)* deactivation
switch
250
5
Adaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch
247
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control
switch*
248
7
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
242
8
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
243
9
Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission
179

46 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 177). Starting with the SmartKey
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see “Turning off en-
gine” (
page 56).
Gasoline engine:

Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to P.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 and hold until the engine
starts (
page 34).

Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open.
iYou can also use the “touch-start”
function. Turn the SmartKey to
position3 and release it again immedi-
ately. The engine then starts automati-
cally.

97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Dual-zone automatic climate control
4-zone automatic climate control*
Power windows
Power tilt /sliding sunroof*
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

145 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 or as soon as the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* is in
position1. The control system enables you
to:

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings.
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
Above illustration shows the standard dis-
play.
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(page 148).
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player) will appear in English,
regardless of the language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.

174 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionFor more information on driving with an au-
tomatic transmission, see the “Getting
started” section (
page 46).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionThe automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever positionD with
gear ranges (
page 177)


the selected program mode:
(C/S)(
page 179)
or
(M/C/S) (E 55 AMG only)
(
page 183)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 180)


the vehicle speed1Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S) or
(
M/C/S) appear in the multifunction dis-
play.
An additional indication of the current gear
selector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate.
The indicators come on when you activate
a switch (e.g. unlocking the vehicle or
opening a door) and go out after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or
the oxidation catalyst (Diesel engine)
to reach its operating temperature ear-
lier.

175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by:

limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN 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 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.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

176 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear as permitted by
the shift program. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 177).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD+direction until
D reappears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, 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.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
theD-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.

177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in positionD,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left (D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right (D+).
The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display. If you press on the
accelerator when the engine has reached
its rpm limit, the transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Effect
ï
The transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies only to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission).
î
The transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies only to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission).
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

178 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever position
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
EffectThe SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP. With the SmartKey
removed, the gear selector lever
is locked in positionP.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in positionP
(page 412).
í
Reverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
Effect
ë
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).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engageN while
driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever toN
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears
are available.