Mercedes-Benz ML320. Manual — part 73

119

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

왔

Automatic transmission

Information on driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting
started” section (

컄

page 46).

Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.

If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.

The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

앫

the gear selector lever position D with
gear ranges 4, 3, 2, 1 (

컄

page 121)

앫

the position of the accelerator pedal
(

컄

page 123)

앫

the vehicle speed

The current gear selector lever position
appears in the tachometer display
(

컄

page 24).

When the gear selector lever is in
position D, you can influence transmission
shifting by

앫

limiting the gear range

앫

changing gears manually

i

During the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

Warning!

G

It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out of P or N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

120

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

One-touch gearshifting

Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in position D.

Downshifting

왘

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D– direction.

The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (

컄

page 121).

Upshifting

왘

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+ direction.

The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.

Canceling gear range limit

왘

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D+ direction until D reappears in
the tachometer display.

The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear range D.

Shifting into optimal gear range

왘

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D– direction.

The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.

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

To avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
the D– direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.

121

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

Gear ranges

With the gear selector lever in position D,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left (D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right (D+).

The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display. If you press on the
accelerator when the engine has reached
its rpm limit, the transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.

Effect

é

The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.

è

The transmission shifts through
third gear only.

With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.

Effect

ç

The transmission shifts through
second gear only.

Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:

앫

on steep downgrades

앫

in mountainous regions

앫

under extreme operating
conditions

æ

The transmission operates in
first gear only.

For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

122

Controls in detail

Automatic transmission

Gear selector lever position

Effect

ì

Park position

Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in position P
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
position P to secure the vehicle.

Effect

The key can only be removed
from the steering lock with the
gear selector lever in position P.
With the key removed, the gear
selector lever is locked in
position P.

If the vehicle’s electrical system
is malfunctioning, the gear
selector lever could remain
locked in position P
(

컄

page 264).

í

Reverse gear

Place gear selector lever in
position R only when vehicle is
stopped.

Effect

ë

Neutral

No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).

To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engage N while
driving.

If the ESP is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever to N
only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.

ê

Drive

The transmission shifts
automatically. All five forward
gears are available.