engine MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2007 Workshop Manual

366 Controls in detailDriving and parking
Shift the automatic transmission toP.
Turning off with SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 315) and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (
page 317) to turn off the en-
gine.
With the driver’s door closed, the start-
er switch is now in position1. With the
driver’s door opened, the starter switch
is set to position0, same as SmartKey
removed from starter switch
(
page 315).
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(page 340).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.
headlamps are switched on.
The message: “Please switch off lights” appears
in the multifunction display.i
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
i
If the engine can no longer be stopped using
the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, the engine can
be turned off by withdrawing two fuses. For more
information, see “Emergency engine shut-down”
(
page 648).
i
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey
and remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch with the automatic transmission in a posi-
tion other than P, the transmission will automat-
ically shift toP.
Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
SmartKey alone will not automatically shift the
transmission to P.Only when the SmartKey is removed from the
starter switch will the transmission automatical-
ly shift to P.
i
In an emergency you can turn off the engine
while driving by pressing and holding the
KEYLESS-GO start/ stop button for approxi-
mately 3 seconds.
i
If you turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door with the automatic transmission in
a position other than P, the transmission will au-
tomatically shift toP.Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone will not au-
tomatically shift the transmission to P. Only
when the driver’s door is opened will the trans-
mission automatically shift to P.
i
If you drive through an automatic conveyor
type car wash, you can switch on the ignition
with the KEYLESS-GO button and engage gear N
or insert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
!
M a k e s u r e t h e s e a t b e l t r e t r a c t s f u l l y s o t h a t
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim pan-
el. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.


367 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 359).
Your vehicle’s automatic transmission
adapts its gear shifting process to your in-
dividual driving style by continually adjust-
ing the shift points up or down. These shift
point adjustments are performed based on
current operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gear selector lever
The gear selector lever is located on the
right of the steering column.Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
i
During the brief warm-up, automatic trans-
mission upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to op-
erating temperature.Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate.
i
The current automatic transmission
positionP, R, N orD appears in the tachometer
display (
page 370).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans-
mission out of park positionP or neutral
positionN 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.

369 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Press button at the end of the gear
selector lever in direction of arrow
(page 367) to select park positionP.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting from D or R to N
If you want to select neutral positionN
with the automatic transmission being in
drive positionD or reverse gearR:

With the vehicle at a standstill, depress
the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

Press the handle for electric parking
brake (
page 364).

Move gear selector lever up to resis-
tance point when in drive position D or
down to resistance point when in
reverse gear R to select neutral
positionN.

Release the brake pedal.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

drive positionD(
page 370) with
gear ranges (
page 372)


the selected program mode (C/S)
(page 374)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 373)


the vehicle speed
With drive positionD selected, you can use
the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons (
page 375) to influence auto-
matic transmission shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
!
Shift the automatic transmission directly
from drive positionD to reverse gearR, from
reverse gearR to drive positionD or directly to
park positionP only when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
When trying to free a vehicle stuck in mud or
snow, see “Rocking the vehicle” (
page 373).
i
When the vehicle needs to be moved with
the engine switched off and the automatic trans-
mission set to neutral positionN (
page 371),
e.g. in an automatic car wash, do not press the
handle for electric parking brake.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR 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 surfac-
es. This may cause serious damage to the driv-
etrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

370 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionAutomatic transmission positions
The current automatic transmission posi-
tion appears in the tachometer display.
1Current automatic transmission posi-
tion!
If the automatic transmission position fails
in the tachometer display, you should check
whether the gear selector lever is placed in the
desired position while driving off with added cau-
tion. We recommend you to shift the gear selec-
tor lever to positionD. Do not limit the gear
range.
Effect
ì
Park position
Shift into park positionP only
when vehicle is stopped. The
park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehi-
cle is parked. Rather, the driver
should always set the electric
parking brake in addition to shift-
ing into park positionP to secure
the vehicle.
If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the automatic
transmission could remain
locked in park positionP.
Have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
SmartKey:
If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey and
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch,
the automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically. Keep in mind that turn-
ing off the engine with the SmartKey alone will
not automatically shift the automatic transmis-
sion to park positionP. Only when the SmartKey
is removed from the starter switch, will the auto-
matic transmission automatically shift to park
positionP.
KEYLESS-GO*:
If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button and open the driver’s door, the
automatic transmission will shift to park
positionP automatically. Keep in mind that turn-
ing off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button alone will not automatically
shift the automatic transmission to park
positionP. Only when the driver’s door is
opened, will the automatic transmission auto-
matically shift to park positionP.
DISTRONIC Plus*:
the transmission will shift to park positionP au-
tomatically, only when DISTRONIC Plus brings
your vehicle to a standstill, and when it meets at
least one of the following conditions at the same
time:

the engine is turned off


the driver’s or passenger door opens and the
seat belt is not engaged in the buckle
In addition to shifting to park positionP, the elec-
tric parking brake will be engaged automatically.

371 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Even though this is possible, make it a practice
to always shift into park positionP before turning
off the engine and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or when using KEYLESS-GO*,
before turning off the engine with the start/stop
button and opening the driver’s door.!
If you want the gear position to remain in
neutral positionN (for example when the vehicle
is pulled through a car wash)


do not remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or, when using KEYLESS-GO*


do not turn off the engine using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* and open
the driver’s door
Otherwise, the automatic transmission will shift
to park positionP and lock the wheels, prevent-
ing the vehicle from being pulled through a car
wash.
Effect
í
Reverse gear
Shift into reverse gearR only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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 automat-
ic transmission, avoid shifting
into neutral positionN while
driving.
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Shift into neutral positionN only
if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê
Drive
The automatic transmission
shifts automatically. All forward
gears are available.
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason in neutral positionN can result in auto-
matic transmission damage that is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle without shifting
into park positionP is dangerous. Also, park
positionP alone is not intended to or capa-
ble of preventing your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.
Always set the electric parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP
(page 364).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

372 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
positionD, you can select a gear range for
the automatic transmission to operate
within.
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the respective downshift button on the
steering wheel gearshift control, and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the respective upshift button on the steer-
ing wheel gearshift control (
page 375).The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display.
1Current gear range
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could shift the
automatic transmission out of park
positionP, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Effect
ï
The automatic transmission
shifts through sixth gear only
(applies to vehicles with 7-speed
automatic transmission only).
î
The automatic transmission
shifts through fifth gear only (ap-
plies to vehicles with 7-speed au-
tomatic transmission only).
é
The automatic transmission
shifts through fourth gear only.
Effect
è
The automatic transmission
shifts through third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
ç
The automatic 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 automatic transmission op-
erates in first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

373 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the automatic
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the au-
tomatic transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The automatic transmission shifts up
again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:

Leave the automatic transmission in
gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period of time
with the engine idling and/or on a hill:

Set the electric parking brake.

Shift into park positionP.
Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between
drive positionD and reverse gearR can
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
The engine control system of this vehicle
electronically limits shifting between drive
positionD and reverse gearR to very low
speeds (i.e. approx. 5 mph (9 km/h)). To
shift between drive positionD and reverse
gearR, move the gear selector lever past
the resistance point up or down.
Working on the vehicle
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
electric parking brake and shift to park
positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.

374 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionHill start assist system
On uphill grades with a gradient angle of
more than 5°, the hill start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake sys-
tem for approximately 1 second after you
have released the brake pedal. Therefore,
you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal.The hill start assist system is inactive


when starting off on a level road or
downhill grades


with the automatic transmission in
neutral position N


with the electric parking brake set


if the ESP
® has switched off due to a
malfunction
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is used
to adjust

shift program


suspension tuning of Airmatic*
(page 402) or ABC* (
page 404)


engine control
Program mode selector switchC Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The selected program mode CorS ap-
pears in the tachometer display.
Warning!
G
The hill start assist system is not designed
to function as a parking brake and does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when
parked on an incline.
Always set the electric parking brake in
addition to shifting to park positionP.

375 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
1Current program mode
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
tachometer display.Program modeC:


Engine, automatic transmission and
suspension tuning are comfortable.


The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
Program modeS:


Engine, automatic transmission and
suspension tuning are more perfor-
mance oriented.


The vehicle starts out in first gear.


Upshifts occur later.
Steering wheel gearshift control
With drive positionD selected, you can
limit or extend the gear range.
The steering wheel gearshift buttons are
located on the back of the steering wheel
to the left and right.
!
Never change the program mode when the
automatic transmission is out of park positionP.
This could result in a change of driving character-
istics for which you may not be prepared.
i
The last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.
!
Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the op-
erating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road surfac-
es. This may cause serious damage to the driv-
etrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

376 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission1Right button: upshift
2Left button: downshift
Downshifting

Briefly press button2 on the back of
the steering wheel.
The automatic transmission will shift to
the next lower gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simulta-
neously limits the gear range of the au-
tomatic transmission (
page 372).
Upshifting

Briefly press button1 on the back of
the steering wheel.
The automatic transmission will shift to
the next higher gear as permitted by
the shift program. This action simulta-
neously extends the gear range of the
automatic transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold button1 on the back
of the steering wheel until the cipher
for the current gear range disappears
from the tachometer display
(page 372).
The automatic transmission will shift
from the current gear range directly to
gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold button2 on the back
of the steering wheel.
The automatic transmission will auto-
matically select the gear range suited
for optimal acceleration and decelera-
tion. This will involve shifting down one
or more gears.
i
You cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift buttons when the automatic transmis-
sion in positionP,N orR.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.
i
To avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the automatic transmission will not shift
to a lower gear if the engine’s max. speed would
be exceeded.
i
If you press on the accelerator when the en-
gine has reached its rpm limit, the automatic
transmission will upshift beyond any gear range
limit selected.