Mercedes-Benz 2009 CLS 550, Operator'S Manual

Page: 116 / 356

Automatic transmission
114
Effect
ì
Park position
Shift the automatic transmission
into park position
P only when the
vehicle is stopped. The park posi-
tion is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked.
Rather, the driver should always
engage the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position
P
to secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in park
position
P. With the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch,
the gear selector lever is locked in
park position
P.
If the vehicle’s electrical system is
malfunctioning, the gear selector
lever could remain locked in park
position
P (
Y
page 304).
í
Reverse gear
Effect
Shift the automatic transmission
into reverse gear
R only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Effect
ë
Neutral position
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle
can be moved freely (pushed or
towed).
To avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, never shift the automatic
transmission into neutral position
N while driving.
If the ESP
®
is deactivated or mal-
functioning: Shift the automatic
transmission into neutral position
N only if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
!
Coasting the vehicle, or driv-
ing for any other reason with the
automatic transmission in neu-
tral position
N can result in
transmission damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
ê
Drive position
Controls in detail