Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Driving and parking

DIRECT SELECT selector lever

In this manual: Driving and parking
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~6min read

The DIRECT SELECT selector lever of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) allows convenient control of the automatic transmission directly at the steering wheel. The description contains important notes on use and explains the gear positions as well as automatic safety functions that make parking and maneuvering easier.

Overview of gear selector

Übersicht Getriebeschaltung
Park position with parking lock
Reverse Gear
Neutral
Drive position
The DIRECT SELECT selector lever is on the right of the steering column.

The DIRECT SELECT selector lever always returns to its home position. The current gear position P, R, N or D is shown in the gear position display in the multifunction display.

Gear position and driving program display

Note
If the gear position indicator in the multifunction display has failed, check carefully by pulling away slowly whether the desired gear position is engaged. It is best to select gear position D and driving program E or S.

The current gear position and driving program are shown in the multifunction display.

The arrows in the gear position display indicate how and to which gear position you can change with the DIRECT SELECT selector lever.Getriebestellungs- und Fahrprogrammanzeige
Gear position display
Driving program display

Shift to park position P

Note
Do not shift the automatic transmission directly from D to R, from R to D or directly to P when engine speed is too high or when the vehicle is rolling. Otherwise the automatic transmission may be damaged.Parkstellung P einlegen
Park position with parking lock
Reverse Gear
Neutral
Drive position
Press the DIRECT SELECT selector lever button in the direction of arrow P.
  • In the multifunction display, the gear position display shows P. If you depress the brake and push the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up or down, you release the parking lock. The transmission is in neutral N.

    If you want to change directly from park position P to R or D, you must

    • depress the brake and
    • push the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up or down past the first detent.

    Engage park position P automatically

    Park position P is engaged automatically when you
    • switch off the engine with the key and remove the key
    • switch off the engine with the key or with the start/stop button and open the driver's or front passenger's door
    • when stationary or at very low speed in gear position D or R, open the driver's door.
    When HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on, the automatic transmission shifts automatically to gear position P under certain conditions. For this, observe the information on the HOLD function and on DISTRONIC PLUS.

    Engage reverse gear R

    Note
    Only shift the automatic transmission to R when the vehicle is stationary.

    If the transmission is in position D or N: push the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up past the first detent.

    If the transmission is in position P: depress the brake and push the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up past the first detent.

    ECO start/stop function is not available when reverse gear is engaged. Further information on the ECO start/stop function.

    Shift into neutral N

    WARNING

    If you leave children unattended in the vehicle, they can

    • open the doors and thereby endanger other persons or road users
    • get out and be hit by traffic
    • operate vehicle equipment and, for example, trap themselves.
    In addition, children can set the vehicle in motion, e.g. by
    • releasing the parking brake
    • shift the automatic transmission out of park position P
    • starting the engine.
    There is a risk of accident and injury!

    Always take the key with you when leaving the vehicle and lock the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in the vehicle. Keep the key out of reach of children.

    If the transmission is in position D or R: Press the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up or down to the first resistance point.

    If the transmission is in position P: Apply the brake and press the DIRECT SELECT selector lever up or down past the first resistance point.

    If you switch off the engine with the transmission in position R or D, the automatic transmission automatically shifts to N.

    With key: If you then open the driver's or front passenger's door or remove the key, the automatic transmission shifts automatically to P.

    With KEYLESS-GO: If you then open the driver's or front passenger's door, the automatic transmission automatically shifts to P.

    If the automatic transmission is to remain in neutral N, e.g. for washing the vehicle in car washes with a towing device:

    With key:

    Switch on the ignition.

    Depress and hold the brake pedal.

    Shift to neutral N.

    Release the brake pedal.

    Release the parking brake.

    Switch off the ignition and leave the key in the ignition lock.

    With KEYLESS-GO:

    Remove the key from the ignition lock.

    Insert the key into the ignition lock.

    Switch on the ignition.

    Depress and hold the brake pedal.

    Shift to neutral N.

    Release the brake pedal.

    Release the parking brake.

    Switch off the ignition and leave the key in the ignition lock.

    Engage drive position D

    If the transmission is in position R or N: push the DIRECT SELECT selector lever down past the first detent.

    If the transmission is in position P: Apply the brake and press the DIRECT SELECT selector lever down past the first resistance point.

    Transmission positions

    Park position

    Secures the parked vehicle against rolling away. Only shift the transmission to position P when the vehicle is stationary.

    Park position P is engaged automatically when you
    • switch off the engine with the key and remove the key
    • switch off the engine with the key or with the start/stop button and open the driver's or front passenger's door
    • when stationary or at very low speed in gear position D or R, open the driver's door.
    Reverse Gear

    Only shift the transmission to position R when the vehicle is stationary.
    Neutral

    Do not shift the transmission to position N while driving. Otherwise the automatic transmission may be damaged.

    No engine power is transmitted to the drive wheels.

    When you release the brakes, you can move the vehicle freely, e.g. push it or tow it.

    If ESP is switched off or malfunctioning: Only shift the transmission to position N if the vehicle threatens to skid, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.

    If you switch off the engine with the transmission in position R or D, the automatic transmission automatically shifts to N.

    Coasting in neutral N may cause damage to the drivetrain.
    Drive

    The automatic transmission shifts automatically. All forward gears are available.

    The DIRECT SELECT selector lever of the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) provides simple and safe operation of the automatic transmission. Intuitive displays in the multifunction display make it easy to check the transmission position and driving program.

    Thanks to its well-considered engineering, driving remains comfortable and safe at all times, a typical feature of this premium saloon.

    Question: When is parking position P engaged automatically?

    Answer: When the key is removed, when the door is opened while stationary, or at very low speed in D or R.

    Question: What should be observed when shifting between D and R?

    Answer: Do not shift directly when engine speed is too high or the vehicle is rolling, to avoid damage.

    • Test yourself

    A quick Mercedes-Benz E-Class quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.