Manual drive program

Introduction

In drive program M, you can change gear manually using the steering wheel paddle shifters. For this, the transmission must be in position D. The gear currently selected and engaged is shown in the multifunction display.

Manual drive program M differs from drive programs E and S with regard to spontaneity, responsiveness and smoothness of gear changes.

Switching on the manual drive p

► Press the program selector button  repeatedly until M appears in the multifunction display.

Upshifting (except AMG vehicles)

► Pull the right-hand paddle .

The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.

Shifting up (AMG vehicles)

In manual drive program M, the automatic transmission does not shift up automatically even when the engine limiting speed for the current gear is reached. When the engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine from overrevving. Always make sure that the engine speed does not reach the red area of the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of engine damage.

► Pull the right-hand paddle .

The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.

Before the engine speed reaches the red area, an upshift indicator will be shown in the multifunction display.

► If the color in the speedometer multifunction display changes to red and the UP display message is shown, shift up a gear.

Downshifting

Pull the left-hand paddle .

The automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear.

If you slow down or stop without shifting down, the automatic transmission automatically shifts down.

Selecting the optimal gear for maximum acceleration

► Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the transmission selects the optimum gear for the current speed.

Kickdown

You can also use kickdown for maximum acceleration in manual drive program M.

► Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.

The transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.

► Shift back up once the desired speed is reached.

Vehicles with an AMG engine: it is not possible to use kickdown in manual drive program M.

Vehicles without an AMG engine: if you apply full throttle, the automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear when the maximum engine speed is reached. This prevents the engine from overrevving.

Switching off the manual drive program

► Press the program selector button  repeatedly until E (C in AMG vehicles) or S appears in the multifunction display.