Mercedes-Benz E-class 1998 Emergency Operation User Manual

Page 2

Program Mode Selector Switch

The transmission is provided with a
selector switch for Standard "S" and
Winter/Wet (snow and ice) "W"
program modes.

Warning!

Always be certain of the program mode
selected since the vehicle driving
characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.

S Standard mode

Press switch on symbol "S". Use
this mode for all regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.

W Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode

Press switch on symbol "W". The
vehicle starts out in 2nd gear,
except with selector lever in 1 st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in
kick-down position.

The "W" mode helps to improve
traction and driving stability of the
vehicle.

With hard acceleration the upshifts
occur at lower vehicle and engine
speeds than in the "S" program
mode.

Caution!

Never change the program mode when
the selector lever is out of position "P".
It could result in a change of driving
characteristics for which you may not
be prepared

Emergency Operation

(Limp Home Mode)

If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the
transmission no longer shifts, the
transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages
when there is a malfunction at the
transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the "CHECK
ENGINE" malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or
reverse gear can be activated.

To engage 2nd gear or reverse:

1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move selector lever to

position "P".

3. Turn off the engine.
4. Wait 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move selector lever to

position "D" (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to
position "R" (for reverse gear).

Have the transmission checked at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer as soon as possible.