Mercedes-Benz E-class 1998 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Manual (Page 29)

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Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission selects
individual gears automatically,
dependent upon:
• Selector lever position
• Program mode selector
• Accelerator position
• Vehicle speed
Important!
When parking the car or before
working on the vehicle with the engine
running, firmly depress the parking
brake pedal and shift the selector lever
into "P".
Driving
The selector lever is automatically
locked while in position "P". To move
the selector lever out of position "P",
the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will
release.
Shift selector lever to the desired
position only when the engine is idling
normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release
the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise start creeping
when the selector lever is in drive or
reverse position.
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the selector
lever out of "P" or "N" if the enqine
speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in 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.
Important!
After selecting any driving position
from "N" or "P", wait a moment to
allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the
engine is cold.
Accelerator Position
Partial throttle = early upshifting =
normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid
acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator
beyond full throttle) = downshifting to
a lower gear = maximum acceleration.
Once the desired speed is attained, ease
up on the accelerator - the transmission
shifts up again.