Mercedes-Benz 2003 S 500 - Manual (Page 160)

160
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
୴ page 43).
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 op-
erating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:
ț the selector lever position D with gear
ranges 4, 3, 2, 1 (
୴ page 162)
ț the selected shift program (C/S)
(
୴ page 164)
ț the position of the accelerator pedal
(
୴ page 165)
ț the vehicle speed
The current selector lever position and
shift program (C/S) appear in the tachom-
eter display (
୴ page 22). When the selector lever is in position D,
you can influence transmission shifting by:
ț limiting the gear range
ț changing gears manually
i
During the brief warm-up, the transmis-
sion upshifting is delayed. This allows
the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the 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 en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.