2004 Mercedes CL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 158

Controls in detail Automatic transmission Automatic transmission For more information on driving with an automatic transmission, see the "Getting started" section ( page 45). Your vehicle's transmission adapts its gear shifting process to your individual driving style by continually adjusting the shift points up or down. These shift point adjustments are performed based on current operating and driving conditions. If the operating conditions change, the automatic transmission reacts by adjusting its gear shift program. The automatic transmission selects individual gears automatically, depending on: the gear selector lever position D with gear ranges ( page 159) the selected shift program (C/S) ( page 163) or (C/S/M) (CL 55 AMG only) ( page 164) the position of the accelerator pedal the vehicle speed The current gear selector lever position and shift program (C/S) or (C/S/M) appear in the tachometer display ( page 22). Warning! G It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of P or N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or 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. i During the brief warm-up, transmission upshifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more quickly to operating temperature. When the gear selector lever is in position D, you can influence transmission shifting by: limiting the gear range changing gears manually 157