Mercedes Benz 2009 M-Class User Manual

Rocking the vehicle by shifting between 
drive position D and reverse gear R can 
help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. 
The engine control system of this vehicle 
electronically limits shifting between drive 
position D and reverse gear R to very low 
speeds, i.e. approx. 5 mph (9 km/h). To 
shift between drive position D and reverse 
gear R, move the gear selector lever past 
the resistance point up or down.

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

앫

when starting off on a level road or 
downhill grades

앫

with the transmission in neutral 
position N

앫

with the parking brake set

앫

if the ESP

®

 has switched off due to a 

malfunction

If you tow a trailer, note the following 
points:

앫

Manually shift to a lower gear range 
(

컄

page 193) if the transmission hunts 

between gears on inclines.

A lower gear range and reduction of 
speed reduces the chance to overload 
or overheat the engine.

For more information on trailer towing, see 
the “Operation” section (

컄

page 342).

G

When working on the vehicle, set the 

parking brake and shift to park position P. 

Otherwise the vehicle could roll away.

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 parking brake in addition to 

shifting to park position P.