Please explain "7-speed automatic with manual mode"
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
From: New York
2020 GLE350W4
Please explain "7-speed automatic with manual mode"
Why in the manual mode I can shift transmission visually only up to speed #6? Specification saying: 7-speed automatic with manual mode. Thank you.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
2011 ML550
The real question is why did Mercedes program the tranny to up, AND down shift automatically when you have the gas floored in the so called "manual" mode.
Better than having no manual controls at all, but far from true manual control.
Better than having no manual controls at all, but far from true manual control.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
From: New York
2020 GLE350W4
OK, but very strange. 7th Gear-(D) and Auto constantly also-(D)??? The question is how to switch from manual 7th Gear (Display D) to Auto mode all the time (Display D) and why @ any low speed (mph) paddle up is permitted and indicated display up to Gear 6.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
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From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
After reading your post yesterday I went out and tried using manual all the time. You are correct: as soon as you either hold the upshift paddle for a moment in any gear or tap it in 6th gear to upshift to 7th, the system switches back to automatic ("D"). There doesn't appear to be any way to force it to stay in manual when you are in 7th gear.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 131
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From: Lake Tahoe
w164 (ml 500)
The hole idea of having 7speeds it so that the vehicle will operate in it's most efficient power/economy range.
Now for another questions for ML owners: Do you fell the Hill Decent activate when going slower the 5 mph wail going down hill?
Our 06 ML 500 will activate hill decent every time I make the sharp Right hand turn wail going down the hill form our house (this happen when off throttle, no braking). I keep thinking I should ask to have it checked when I take it in for service, but manage to forget too.
Mark.
Now for another questions for ML owners: Do you fell the Hill Decent activate when going slower the 5 mph wail going down hill?
Our 06 ML 500 will activate hill decent every time I make the sharp Right hand turn wail going down the hill form our house (this happen when off throttle, no braking). I keep thinking I should ask to have it checked when I take it in for service, but manage to forget too.
Mark.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
2010 ML550, 2012 GLK350 4Matic
After reading your post yesterday I went out and tried using manual all the time. You are correct: as soon as you either hold the upshift paddle for a moment in any gear or tap it in 6th gear to upshift to 7th, the system switches back to automatic ("D"). There doesn't appear to be any way to force it to stay in manual when you are in 7th gear.
For instance when it says 4 and you try to come to a complete stop and begin to accelerate, it would have down shifted you to 1 or 2 and then bring it back up to 4th and wouldn't say that it did. That number on the display is a mere top gear limit than the holding gear.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Endicott NY
2014 ML350 Bluetec, 2016 GLC 300, 2023 Corvette, Z51 Stingray
Hill Decent
The hole idea of having 7speeds it so that the vehicle will operate in it's most efficient power/economy range.
Now for another questions for ML owners: Do you fell the Hill Decent activate when going slower the 5 mph wail going down hill?
Our 06 ML 500 will activate hill decent every time I make the sharp Right hand turn wail going down the hill form our house (this happen when off throttle, no braking). I keep thinking I should ask to have it checked when I take it in for service, but manage to forget too.
Mark.
Now for another questions for ML owners: Do you fell the Hill Decent activate when going slower the 5 mph wail going down hill?
Our 06 ML 500 will activate hill decent every time I make the sharp Right hand turn wail going down the hill form our house (this happen when off throttle, no braking). I keep thinking I should ask to have it checked when I take it in for service, but manage to forget too.
Mark.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tahoe
w164 (ml 500)
I don't get it ether, this is not the first vehicle that we have had with hill decent (2 others, Range Rover and BMW X5) I'll just have to pin a note on my shirt the next time the ML goes in for service.
By the way I'm loving the 7 speed trans, smother shifting then any past SUV we have had.
Mark.
By the way I'm loving the 7 speed trans, smother shifting then any past SUV we have had.
Mark.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
When I am going down a steep hill the car shifts to a low gear but certainly does not engage hill decent mode as there is no light coming on. Are you sure your car enables hill decent by itself? Does the light come on? I also have never experienced what you describe.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
With that said, you can understand that there is no point for the system to allow you to select 7th gear as the upper limit in manual mode as that is exactly the same as the auto mode.
This setup is not meant to be used as a manual transmission. It is very helpful when driving patterns change and all of a sudden find yourself on a twisty and hilly road. Think of it as a regular auto transmission with a D and then 6,5,4,3,2,1 options on the selector (rather than the usual D,3,2,1 found on traditional automatics)
Also keep in mind that pressing and holding the upshift button takes you to D. Pressing and holding the downshift button takes you to the lowest possible gear for the conditions.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 3
From: New York
2020 GLE350W4
Manual mode means having the ability to manually change the highest gear the transmission can engage. It is not the same as a semi automatic type transmission that you can use the paddles to have full control of the tranny at all times.
With that said, you can understand that there is no point for the system to allow you to select 7th gear as the upper limit in manual mode as that is exactly the same as the auto mode.
This setup is not meant to be used as a manual transmission. It is very helpful when driving patterns change and all of a sudden find yourself on a twisty and hilly road. Think of it as a regular auto transmission with a D and then 6,5,4,3,2,1 options on the selector (rather than the usual D,3,2,1 found on traditional automatics)
Also keep in mind that pressing and holding the upshift button takes you to D. Pressing and holding the downshift button takes you to the lowest possible gear for the conditions.
Hope this helps.
With that said, you can understand that there is no point for the system to allow you to select 7th gear as the upper limit in manual mode as that is exactly the same as the auto mode.
This setup is not meant to be used as a manual transmission. It is very helpful when driving patterns change and all of a sudden find yourself on a twisty and hilly road. Think of it as a regular auto transmission with a D and then 6,5,4,3,2,1 options on the selector (rather than the usual D,3,2,1 found on traditional automatics)
Also keep in mind that pressing and holding the upshift button takes you to D. Pressing and holding the downshift button takes you to the lowest possible gear for the conditions.
Hope this helps.
