Mercedes-Benz 2013 CLA Class - Manual (Page 158)

Steering wheel gearshift paddles
:
Left steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts down)
;
Right steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts up)
In drive program M, you can change gear
yourself using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel gear-
shift paddle when in automatic drive program
E or S, the automatic transmission shifts into
drive program M for a limited time. Depend-
ing on which gearshift paddle is pulled, the
automatic transmission immediately shifts
into the next gear down or up.
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position
D.
i For further information on the manual
drive program, see ( Y page 156).
Automatic drive program
Drive program E is characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R
comfort-oriented engine 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 characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R
sporty engine settings
R
the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher
Manual drive program
Introduction
In manual drive program M, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
gearshift paddles. For this, the transmission
must be in position
D. The gear currently
selected and engaged is shown in the multi-
function display.
Manual drive program
M differs from drive
programs E and S with regard spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Gear Driving situations
= To use the engine's braking effect
5 To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R
in mountainous terrain
R
in arduous conditions
4 To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
156
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking