Mercedes Benz 2009 M-Class User Manual

Page of 585
197
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button
(
page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next 
higher gear.
If you have selected the AMG menu in the 
control system and you are driving in the 
manual program mode M, upshift 
indicator
2 in the multifunction display 
advises you to upshift before the engine 
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you 
can drive at the maximum engine speed for 
each gear without overrevving the engine.
1 Gear indicator
2 Upshift indicator
Shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be inter-
rupted to prevent the engine from over-
revving.
Downshifting
Briefly press left shift button
(
page 194).
The transmission shifts to the next 
lower gear.
i
The manual program mode M will not be 
stored. When the engine is turned off with the 
manual program mode M selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode 
(or S) when the engine is restarted.
!
In the manual program mode M, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has 
reached its overrewing range. Shift up to the 
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
rewing range. Make absolutely certain that the 
engine speed does not reach the red marking on 
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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
When you brake or stop, the transmission 
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily 
accelerate or drive off.