Mercedes-Benz Conecto, Manual

Page: 162 / 268

Transmission shift systems
Automatic transmission - general information
Automatic transmission - general
information
Danger.
Risk of accident. The bus is free to move
with the transmission in neutral “N” and
the brakes released. Apply the parking
brake and press pushbutton N whenever
the bus is parked or work is to be carried
out on the bus with the engine running.
Do not shift down on a slippery road sur-
face (risk of skidding). Press pushbutton
N when there is a risk of sliding and skid-
ding. For a brief stop, such as at a bus
stop or traffic lights, keep the gearshift
unit in its current position and bring the
bus to a halt using the service brake or
bus stop brake. Shift down in good time
on long uphill or downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is under considerable
load.
Note:
Changing gear with the automatic
transmission: The engine cannot be
started unless the transmission is in
neutral position “N”. The individual gears
are changed automatically in response
to the position of the switches, the road
speed and the accelerator pedal position.
Note:
Pulling away: Apply the service brake.
Select the gearshift position by pressing
a pushbutton with the engine at idling
speed (accelerator pedal not depressed).
Do not release the brake until the bus
begins to pull away. There is otherwise a
risk of the bus pulling away too soon (bus
creeps). On an uphill gradient, release the
brake pedal and depress the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
Note:
Accelerator pedal positions: Little throttle
for low acceleration and sooner upshifts.
More throttle for high acceleration and
later upshifts. Kickdown (depressing the
accelerator pedal to the stop beyond the
full throttle position) for maximum accel-
eration. The transmission shifts down to
a lower gear if the road speed is below
the maximum speed for the next gear
down. The transmission shifts up when
the engine is running at rated speed.
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CONECTO (C628.3--)/08.2007 GB