automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2007, Model line: S550, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221Pages: 705
Page 372 of 705
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.
Page 373 of 705
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.
Page 374 of 705
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.
Page 375 of 705
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.
Page 376 of 705
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.
Page 377 of 705
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.
Page 378 of 705
377 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Emergency operation (Limp-Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automat-
ic transmission is most likely operating in
limp-home (emergency operation) mode.
In this mode only second gear and reverse
gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Shift to park positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Shift to drive positionD (for second
gear) or reverse gearR.
Have the automatic transmission
checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as pos-
sible.
Page 382 of 705
381 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to re-
sistance point) or 5 mph increments
(past resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
2Setting current or lower speed
Adjustment in 1 mph increments (to re-
sistance point) or 5 mph increments
(past resistance point)
(Canada: 1 km/h or 10 km/h)
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate cruise control if the vehi-
cle speed is above 20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
cruise control:
when you brake
the vehicle is secured with the electric
parking brake
if the automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, or N
if ESP
® is switched off
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2.
The current speed is set.
Warning!
G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded. The brake
pedal depresses when cruise control engag-
es the brakes.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe brake operation.
Page 383 of 705
382 Controls in detailDriving systems
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The last set speed appears in the
multifunction display for approxi-
mately 5 seconds.
The corresponding speedometer
segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed in
the multifunction display are illumi-
nated.
The set speed is shown by a triangle
in the speedometer.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
Cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
i
On uphill grades, cruise control may not be
able to maintain the set speed. Once the grade
eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, cruise control maintains the
set speed with braking from the vehicle’s braking
system. In addition, on longer downhill grades
the automatic transmission will automatically
downshift.
i
Upon switching off the engine, the last
stored speed is deleted.
i
Cruise control switches off automatically
when
you step on the brake pedal
the vehicle is secured with the parking brake
In this case the segments in the multifunc-
tion display go out and no warning sounds.
the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
the ESP
® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (
page 73)
you set the automatic transmission toN
while driving
The segments in the multifunction display go out,
and an acoustic warning sounds.
!
Setting the automatic transmission toN
while driving cancels cruise control. However,
the automatic transmission should not be set
toN while driving except to coast when the vehi-
cle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate cruise control. After brief accelera-
tion (e.g. for passing), cruise control will resume
the last speed set.
Page 396 of 705
395 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function)
Briefly pull the DISTRONIC Plus lever in
the direction of arrow4 (
page 390).
DISTRONIC Plus is set to the last
stored speed.
DISTRONIC Plus resumes the last set
speed or if no speed is stored, it will set
and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating DISTRONIC Plus
There are several ways to deactivate the
DISTRONIC Plus system:
Briefly tip the DISTRONIC Plus lever in
the direction of arrow3 (
page 390).
or
Step on the brake pedal.
DISTRONIC Plus will be deactivated.
The last speed set will be stored into
memory.
If the vehicle has been stopped by DIS-
TRONIC Plus and a malfunction occurs in
the system, the message “Brake immedi-
ately” will appear on the multifunction dis-
play. Step on the brake immediately to
prevent the vehicle from rolling. DISTRON-
IC Plus is then switched off and the mes-
sage disappears.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury you and others.i
Upon switching off the engine, the last
stored speed is deleted.
i
The following message will appear in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds:
DISTRONIC PLUS Off
The last stored speed is deleted when you turn
off the engine.
i
DISTRONIC Plus deactivates automatically
when:
the vehicle is secured with the electric park-
ing brake
the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h) and no preceding vehicle is de-
tected
the ESP
® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (
page 73)
you set the automatic transmission toP, R,
or N while driving
the radar sensors are switched off
(page 256).
The segments in the multifunction display go out,
an acoustic warning sounds, and the message
“DISTRONIC PLUS Off” appears in the multifunc-
tion display for approximately 5 seconds.