Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Driving and parking

Driving information. Driving program selector button. Steering wheel shift paddles

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
~3min read

The driving information for the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) provides tips on making optimal use of the automatic transmission and the various driving programs. This section explains the function of the steering wheel shift paddles, kickdown and trailer operation, and helps improve driving comfort and efficiency.

Driving Information

Shift behavior

In transmission position D, the automatic transmission shifts through the individual gears automatically. This depends on
  • the selected driving program
  • the accelerator pedal position
  • the speed driven.

Accelerator pedal position

Your driving style affects the shifting of the automatic transmission:
  • light throttle: early upshift
  • full throttle: late upshift

AMG vehicles

When downshifting, throttle blip is active in all driving programs. Throttle blip reduces load change reactions and supports sporty driving. The sound of the throttle blip changes depending on the driving program.

Kick-down

Use kickdown when you want maximum acceleration:

Press the accelerator pedal past the pressure point.

  • The automatic transmission downshifts depending on engine speed.

    When the desired speed is reached, reduce throttle.

  • The automatic transmission upshifts again.

    Towing a trailer

    Trailer operation is not possible on all models. Further information .

    On inclines, operate the engine in the mid rev range.

    Manual driving program: Depending on the incline or decline, shift into a gear in which the engine operates in the mid rev range. This also applies when CRUISE CONTROL or DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC is switched on.

    Driving program selector button

    General Notes

    The driving program selector button can be used to select different driving characteristics.Programmwahltaste

    All vehicles (except E 300 BlueTEC, E 350 BlueTEC, AMG vehicles and vehicles with AMG Sport package):

    Driving program selector buttonpress.
  • The letter of the selected driving program appears in the multifunction display.Programmwahltaste

    E 300 BlueTEC and E 350 BlueTEC:

    Driving program selector buttonpress.
  • The letter of the selected driving program appears in the multifunction display.Programmwahltaste

    Vehicles with AMG Sport package:

    Driving program selector buttonpress.
  • The letter of the selected driving program appears in the multifunction display. Info
    Further information on the permanent driving program M .

    In addition to this permanent driving program M, you can also activate the temporary driving program M .

    E Economy comfortable, fuel-efficient driving style
    E+ Economy Plus comfortable, particularly fuel-efficient driving style
    S Sport sporty driving style
    M Manual manual shifting
    Info
    Further information on the automatic driving program .
    Each time the engine is started, the automatic transmission switches to the automatic driving program E.

    AMG vehicles

    AMG Fahrzeuge

    Driving program selectorturn.

  • The letter of the selected driving program appears in the multifunction display.

    The driving program indicator on the driving program selector is shown inred.

    Info
    Further information on the permanent driving program M .

    In addition to this permanent driving program M, you can also activate the temporary driving program M .

    C Controlled Efficiency comfortable, fuel-efficient driving style
    S Sport sporty driving style
    S+ SportPlus extremely sporty driving style
    M Manual manual shifting
    RS RACE START optimum vehicle acceleration from standstill
    Info
    Further information on the automatic driving program .
    Each time the engine is started, the automatic transmission switches to the automatic driving program C.
    RS cannot be selected during normal driving. Further information on RACE START .

    Steering wheel shift paddles

    Lenkradschaltpaddles

    In the manual driving program, you can shift the gears yourself using the steering wheel shift paddlesand.

    Further information on the permanent driving program M .

    More information on short-term driving program M.

    Info

    You can only use the shift paddles when the transmission is in position D.

    The Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) offers versatile ways to personalize the driving experience with the driving program selector button and shift paddles. Whether Economy, Sport or manual, each program adapts to the driver's needs.

    This makes the E-Class the ideal choice for anyone who wants to switch flexibly between comfort and dynamics and values the highest quality.

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