Skip Shifting
When appropriate, the UltraShift PLUS system may
skip shift in Drive. When prevailing conditions like
load and grade allow, skip shifts can be performed in
Manual mode using the SmartShift control.
Auto Neutral
The UltraShift PLUS system will automatically shift to
neutral if the vehicle is left in Drive and the parking
brake is set. "AN" will show on the gear display. To
re-engage the transmission, select Neutral and then
either Drive or Reverse on the shift control (it will re-
engage regardless of whether the parking brake is
released).
Automatic Traction Control
The UltraShift PLUS system requires the Automatic
Traction Control (ATC) option to be enabled when
driving in soft soil/sand to prevent wheel slippage
and shifting issues. The ATC system has two modes:
"normal" (for sand and loose road surface) and a
mud/snow setting.
ATC Normal Mode
In normal mode, the system will engage the brakes
on the wheel or side that the wheel slip is occurring
to help the vehicle gain traction. The point at which
the traction control will actuate the braking system
increases with throttle: low throttle allows the system
to brake the wheels earlier; heavy/full throttle raises
the point of the acceptable wheel slip.
Adhere to the following points when driving in ATC
normal mode:
•
If using Automatic mode in soft soil and/or
sand, maintain the engine speed between
1000 and 1300 rpm to prevent unnecessary
upshifting.
•
If using Manual mode in soft soil and/or sand,
do not attempt an upshift and try to maintain
the current gear.
•
If the vehicle comes to a stop in the sand it
may be necessary to back up prior to attempt-
ing forward movement.
ATC Mud/Snow Mode
To select the mud/snow mode, depress the ATC
switch. This mode raises the wheel slip speed that is
allowed before the traction control activates. The
point at which the traction control will actuate the
braking system increases with throttle: low throttle
allows the system to brake the wheels earlier; heavy/
full throttle raises the point of the acceptable wheel
slip.
Load-Based Shifting
The UltraShift PLUS system is adaptive and will
change the shift points based on grade, engine RPM,
throttle position, and vehicle load. After changing
loads or powering up, the system needs to relearn
these inputs for the first few shifts to make the
proper adjustments.
Coasting
When coasting to a stop on level terrain, the Ultra-
Shift PLUS system may not downshift into the lower
gears. It will select a gear after the throttle is applied.
Mercedes-Benz Manual
Transmissions
NOTICE
Operating a manual transmission with the fluid
level higher or lower than recommended can re-
sult in transmission damage.
Mercedes-Benz transmissions use a simple 6-speed
gear pattern as shown in
Always use first gear when starting to move the ve-
hicle forward.
IMPORTANT: Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This causes partial clutch
disengagement which could cause premature
clutch wear.
While traveling, check the tachometer regularly to be
sure the engine speed is within the most economical
range (1400 to 2000 rpm).
f261098
1
6
2
4
3
5
R
05/03/2001
N
05/03/2001
Fig. 8.19, Shift Pattern, M-B Transmissions
Drivetrain
8.24
