Mercedes-Benz 280 CE 1981, Owner'S Manual

Page: 40 / 85

S ta rtin g an d S h iftin g G e a rs
Selector lever positions
The autom atic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions by means of the selector
lever.
“ P” Parking lock. The parking lock
ist an additional safeguard
when parking the vehicle.
Engage only when the car is
stationary.
“ R” Reverse gear. Shift reverse
gear only w ith the vehicle at
halt.
“ N” Neutral. No power is transm it­
ted from the engine to the rear
axle. When the brakes are re­
leased, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed, towed
or tow-started). Do not engage
“ N” when driving except when
the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
See page 43.
“ D” Drive. All gears are available.
1st gear can be engaged only
by means of kickdown.
8 7 1 0
Position “ D” affords optim um
driving characteristics under
all normal operating co n d i­
tions.
Slope. Shifting up to 3rd gear
only. 1st gear can be engaged
only by means of kickdown.
Suitable fo r moderate ascents
and descents. As the transm is­
sion is shifted up to 3rd gear
only, this position permits the
utilization of the engine brak­
ing effect. If the selector lever
is in position “ S", upshifting
from 2nd to 3rd gear w ill take
place later than with the selec­
tor lever in position “ D” .
“ L " Low. Upshifting to 2nd gear
only. The vehicle starts out in
1st gear. For driving on steep
m ountain passes, fo r trailer
operation in m ountainous re­
gions, under severe operating
conditions and as braking po­
sition on extremely steep dec­
lines. If the selector lever is
briefly shifted to position “ S”
and then returned to position
“ L” , 2nd gear is shifted sooner
at higher speed.
Do not exceed top speeds in the
individual selector lever positions.
Refer to speedometer markings.