How do I change gears manually on my 2008 mercedes c class automatic?

w211

geek84 wrote: »

Hi folks


The procedure to do this described in the manual states that if you press the gear lever towards D+ then the automatic transmission shifts up one gear depending on the gear program selected. However, what does it mean by ‘depending on the gear program selected’, and how would I know what gear the car is in?

The manual goes on to say that shifting up a gear will extend the shift range but moving down a gear will restrict the shift range. What does it mean by extending and restricting the gear range?

If you press the gear lever towards D+, then it will change up a gear, if the speed you're doing is suitable, and the engine won't labour. Otherwise what will happen is that the car will just stay in that gear, and move into the higher gear you selected if you go faster. That's what meant by the gear program selected, I assume there's sport and comfort settings for your gearbox. In sport mode, the engine will rev higher before changing gear, so by shifting upwards, the car will probably remain in that gear for a longer period than if you were in comfort mode.

As previously mentioned, the gear you select will be the highest gear the car will use. So, if you select 4th, it will use 1,2,3 and 4th gears (restricting the gearbox to the first 4 gears only). However, as already pointed out, if you hit the red line in 4th it will just change up anyway.

Also worth looking at posting at Mercedes forums:
www.mbclub.co.uk
forums.mercedesclub.org.uk