Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) 2015 - 2021 Owners Manual: Manual gearshifting

When the automatic transmission is shifted to position D, you can manually shift it with the steering wheel paddle shifter. If permitted, the automatic transmission shifts to the next gear up or down depending on the steering wheel paddle shifter being pulled.

You have two options to manually shift the automatic transmission:

• Temporary setting
• Permanent setting

The gears shift automatically when manual gearshifting is deactivated.

Temporary setting:

• To activate: pull steering wheel paddle shifter 1 or 2.

  Manual gearshifting is activated for a short time. The current gear is displayed in the multifunction display.

How long the manual gearshifting stays activated is dependent on the driving style.

• To shift up: pull steering wheel paddle shifter 2.
• To shift down: pull steering wheel paddle shifter 1.
• To deactivate: pull steering wheel paddle shifter 2 and hold it in place.

  The transmission position D appears in the multifunction display.

Permanent setting:

• Change to drive program.
• Select drive program Manual.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers.

Gearshift recommendation

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers.

The gearshift recommendation assists you in adopting an economical driving style.

• If gearshift recommendation message 1 is shown on the multifunction display, shift to the recommended gear.

Using kickdown

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers.

• Maximum acceleration: depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point.

The automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear when the maximum engine speed is reached to protect the engine from overrevving.

Glide mode function

Mercedes-AMG vehicles: observe the notes in the Supplement. Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers.

With an anticipatory driving style, glide mode helps you to reduce fuel consumption.

Glide mode is characterized by the following:

• the combustion engine is disconnected from the drivetrain and the engine continues to run in neutral.
• the transmission position D is displayed in green in the multifunction display.

Glide mode is activated if the following conditions are met:

• drive program is selected.
• the speed is within a suitable range.
• the road's course is suitable, e.g. no steep uphill or downhill inclines or tight bends.
• you are no longer depressing the accelerator or brake pedal.

Glide mode can also be activated if you have selected the "Eco" setting for the drive in the drive program .

Glide mode is deactivated again if one of the conditions is no longer met.

Glide mode can also be prevented by the following parameters:

• Incline
• Downhill gradient
• Temperature
• Height
• Speed
• Operating status of the engine
• Traffic situation

Glide mode can be ended by pressing the right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.

Problems with the transmission

Function of the 4MATIC

4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are driven when needed. Together with ESP and 4ETS, 4MATIC improves the traction of your vehicle whenever a driven wheel spins due to insufficient traction.

If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot take account of road, weather and traffic conditions.

4MATIC is only an aid. You are responsible especially for maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in lane.

In wintry road conditions, the maximum effect of 4MATIC can be achieved only if you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains if necessary.