2003 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 139

Controls in detail Automatic transmission* One-touch gearshifting Even with an automatic transmission you can change the gears yourself when the selector lever is in position D. Downshifting Briefly press the selector lever to the left in the D- direction. The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the transmission ( page 140). Warning! i To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever is moved to the D- direction, the transmission will not shift to a lower gear if the engine's max. speed would be exceeded. Upshifting Briefly press the selector lever to the right in the D+ direction. The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next higher gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously extends the gear range of the transmission. Canceling gear range limit Press and hold the selector lever in the D+ direction until D reappears in the tachometer display field. The transmission will shift from the current gear range directly to gear range D. Shifting into optimal gear range Press and hold the gear selector lever in the D- direction. The transmission will automatically select the gear range suited for optimal acceleration and deceleration. This will involve shifting down one or more gears. G On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control. 139