Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2014 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 172)

Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programs E and S
Drive program E (drive program C on MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmission settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program S is characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
Manual drive program M
General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. The transmission must be in
position D.
All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): you
can activate manual drive program M using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
AMG vehicles: you can activate manual drive
program M in automatic drive programs C and
S.
Vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package: if manual drive
program M is deactivated using the program
selector button, you can activate manual
drive program M using the steering wheel
paddle shifters.
i As well as temporary drive program M,
you can also activate permanent drive
program M(
Y
page 169).
Further information about permanent drive
program M(
Y
page 171).
Activating
X
Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (
Y
page 169).
Manual drive program M is temporarily
activated. The selected gear and M appear
in the multifunction display.
Shifting gears
If you pull on the left or right steering wheel
paddle shifter, the automatic transmission
switches to manual drive program M for a
limited amount of time. Depending on which
paddle shifter is pulled, the automatic
transmission immediately shifts into the next
gear down or up, if permitted.
X To shift up: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (
Y
page 169).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the
currently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
X To shift down: pull on the left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter
(
Y
page 169).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i Automatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
170
Automatic transmission
Driving
and
parking