Mercedes-Benz E-class 1998 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) User Manual
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Selector Lever Positions
The automatic gear shifting process can
be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
P Parking position.
The parking position is to be used
when parking the vehicle. Engage
only with the car stopped. The
parking position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should
always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever
in park to secure the vehicle.
Note:
The electronic key can be removed
from the steering lock only with the
foot off the brake pedal and the
selector lever in position "P". With
the electronic key removed, the
selector lever is locked in position
"P".
R Reverse gear.
Shift to reverse gear only with the
car stopped.
N Neutral.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the rear axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
Do not engage "N" while driving
except to coast when the vehicle is
in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads, see
Winter driving
Instructions in Index).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for
any other reason with selector lever
in "N" can result in transmission
damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
D The transmission automatically
upshifts through 5th gear. Position
"D" provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
4 Upshift through 4th gear only.
Suitable for performance driving.
To shift from position "D" to "4",
push selector lever to the left.
3 Upshift through 3rd gear only.
Suitable for moderately steep hills.
Since the transmission does not shift
higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the
engine's braking power downhill.
2 Upshift through 2nd gear only. For
driving in mountainous regions or
under extreme operating conditions.
This gear selection will allow use of
the engine's braking power when
descending steep grades.
1 In this position, the engine's braking
effect is utilized by shifting into 1st
gear. Use this position while
descending very steep or lengthy
downgrades and only at speeds
below 40 mph (60 km/h).