I test drove a 2006 R350 yesterday. I tried to use the pedal shift behind the steering wheel, but it didn't do anything. Is there any button I have to hit first? or it's simply broken?

 

The buttons are rocker type switches. You probably were pressing the upshift side and the transmission was already on D. Both switches do the same thing.

 

There are rocker switches on both sides. Next to the transmission selector on the display, it will state the gear # if you are in manual. If you want to get out, press down on the trans selector lever to re-enter Drive. Or up shift until the gear # on the display goes way.

 

No, both switches do NOT "do the same thing."

Left is downshifting
Right is upshifting

You would be hard pressed to discern a 6-7 upshift and if you're already in 7 the right switch will indeed do nothing.

The system isn't going to let you hurt anything so if you're at high revs already it isn't going to let you downshift.

This paddle (not pedal) shifting is mostly for amusement but does come in handy in mountain driving where some engine braking can be useful. Also, sometimes is nice to just stay in a particular gear, on snow, e.g. Yes, putting the trans in a particular gear with the paddle or rocker switch (depends on year) means the trans will stay there until you manually change it with another switch press.

 

Im not sure you guys are talking about the same thing. The left side of the steering wheel shifters do the same thing as the right side.

 

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Ikchris is right.

No, they are not the same thing.
If you are on 3rd gear and press left side rocker switch, it will shift to 2nd gear or down to 1st gear and if you press right rocker switch, it will move to 4th gear or up
Hold right switch for 2 second or so, it will shift to auto or 7th gear (D).

 

Yes, on my r350 I have 2 paddle shifters on the left side and right side of the steering wheel. On the inside of both toggle switches is the down shift. On the out side of the switches is the up shift.

 

On my 2006 R500, the left and right rocker type switches do exactly the same thing. Each button has two sides. You press the inner side of the button and the transmission downshifts. You press the outer side and it upshifts. That's what "rocker" type buttons do, they have two functions on one button. Again, each button works the same way. I have trained myself to only downshift pressing the left button and upshift pressing the right, as I find it more natural that way.

On my 2008 ML350 however, the buttons work differently. The left is downshift and the right is upshift only. They each have one function. These are not rocker type buttons in the sense that "rock" from one side to the other. They are simple buttons with one contact.

In short, everyone is correct. The OP however asked about MY 2006 and yes for that model year R class (and 2007 I believe) the two buttons are identical. Perhaps MB changed the buttons on MY 2008 and beyond? Maybe they used that "other" type of switch on GL models? (this is for lkchris)

 

All right...that makes sense now!

I pressed the outside edge of the switch, that's why it didn't do anything.

Thanks ya'll!!!