Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 Transmission User Manual
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan is at the edge of innovation. It combines luxury and technology in a way that works well, and its transmission system is a big part of how smooth and interesting it is to drive. The gearbox in the S-Class Sedan is a sophisticated 9-speed automatic that makes every gear change precise and stylish. Combining electronic control with dynamic responsiveness, this transmission responds to the driver’s directions and the needs of the road, gliding smoothly between gears for the best performance and efficiency. Whether it’s the refined smoothness of its shifts, the accuracy of its gear changes, or the way it works with the car’s intelligent driving modes, the transmission in the 2023 S-Class Sedan is an important part of making a trip that is both exciting and relaxing. The transmission is the heart of the S-Class Sedan’s quest for automotive greatness. It is able to balance power delivery, fuel economy, and driving dynamics.
Transmission
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions
Shift to P Only When Vehicle Is Stationary
Depress Brake to Shift from P
It is possible to select the park position j only if the vehicle is stationary.
- Depress the brake pedal to stop.
- Shift the transmission to park position j when the vehicle is stationary.
Depress Brake to Shift from
You have attempted to shift the transmission out of park position j and into another transmission position.
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Select transmission position h, k, or neutral.
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| To Deselect P or N Depress Brake and Start Vehicle | You have attempted to shift the transmission out of park position j or neutral i and into another transmission position.
Depress the brake pedal. Start the vehicle. Change the transmission position. |
| Depress the Brake to Shift to D or | You have attempted to select transmission position h or k.
Depress the brake pedal. Select transmission position h or k. |
| Depress the Brake to Shift to R | You have attempted to select transmission position k.
Depress the brake pedal. Select transmission position k. |
| Service Required Apply Parking Brake to Park | A malfunction has occurred in the emergency power supply to park position j.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Until then, always select park position j manually before you switch off the vehicle. Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. |
| Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away Driver’s Door Open Position P Not Selected | The driver’s door is not fully closed and transmission position h, k or neutral i is selected. The vehicle may roll away.
Select park position j when switching off the vehicle. |
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions | |||
| Risk of Vehicle Rolling | The transmission is malfunctioning. Park position j cannot be selected. | |||
| Away Apply Parking Brake When Parking | ||||
|
|
Park the vehicle safely.
Use the electric parking brake to secure the vehicle against rolling away. |
|||
| On gradients, turn the front wheels so that the vehicle will roll towards the curb if it starts moving. | ||||
| Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away N Activated Manually No Automatic Change to P | * While the vehicle was at a standstill or driving at very low speed, neutral i was engaged with the engine running or the vehicle switched on.
NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to rolling away When the vehicle is switched off or the driver’s door is opened, automatic engagement of park position j is deactivated. The vehicle may roll away. Be ready to brake. Do not leave the vehicle unattended. |
|||
| Depress the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill. | ||||
| Engage park position j when the vehicle is stationary with the brake pedal depressed. | ||||
| To continue driving with the brake pedal depressed, select transmission position h or k. | ||||
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| N Automatically Activated Please Shift to Transmission Position Again | Neutral i was automatically engaged when the vehicle was rolling or being driven.
When you open the driver’s door in neutral, park position j will be engaged automatically. Engage park position j when the vehicle is stationary with the brake pedal depressed. To continue driving with the brake pedal depressed, select transmission position h or k. |
| Reversing Not Possible Service Required | The transmission is malfunctioning. It is not possible to select transmission position k.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
| Transmission Malfunction Stop | The transmission is malfunctioning. The transmission shifts to neutral i automatically.
Stop the vehicle immediately in accordance with the traffic conditions. Depress the brake pedal. Engage park position j. Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
| Service Required Do Not Change Transmission
Position |
The transmission is malfunctioning. It is no longer possible to change the transmission position.
If transmission position h is selected, consult a qualified specialist workshop and do not change the transmission position. For all other transmission positions, park the vehicle safely. Consult a qualified specialist workshop or breakdown service. |
| Drive Malfunction Stop Restart Vehicle | The transmission is malfunctioning. |
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions | ||
| Stop the vehicle immediately in accordance with the traffic conditions.
Restart the vehicle. If the display message still appears: Visit a qualified specialist workshop. |
|||
| Drive Malfunction Stop Contact Dealer | The transmission is malfunctioning.
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location and do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
||
| Drive Overheated Drive Carefully | The transmission is overheating. When the display message is active, start-up and driving characteristics may be temporarily impaired. | ||
|
|
Drive at low engine speed.
Avoid sporty driving. Before pulling away on uphill gradients, let the transmission cool down until the display message disappears. |
||
| Auxiliary Battery Malfunction (white display message) | There is a malfunction in the auxiliary battery. | ||
|
|
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Until then, always select park position j manually before you switch off the vehicle. Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. |
||
| Display messages
Auxiliary Battery Malfunction (red display message) |
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| There is a malfunction in the auxiliary battery.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Until then, always select park position j manually before you switch off the vehicle. Before leaving the vehicle, apply the electric parking brake. |
|
Brakes |
|
| Display messages
(USA only)
(Canada only) Parking Brake See Opera- tor’s Manual |
|
| Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions | |
| The yellow! the indicator lamp is lit. The electric parking brake is malfunctioning. To apply:
Switch the vehicle off and switch it back on. Apply the electric parking brake manually (/ page 250). If it is not possible to apply the electric parking brake: Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Where necessary, also secure the parked vehicle against rolling away. The yellow ! indicator lamp and the red F (USA only) or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp are lit. The electric parking brake is malfunctioning. To release: |
| Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions | ||
|
|
Switch the vehicle off and switch it back on.
Release the electric parking brake manually (/ page 250). |
|
| Release the electric parking brake automatically (/ page 249). If it is still not possible to release the electric parking brake:
Do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The electric parking brake could not be applied or released. To apply: To release: If the electric parking brake cannot be applied or the red F (USA only) (Canada only) indicator lamp continues to flash: Do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
||
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| The yellow ! indicator lamp is lit and the red F (USA only) or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for approximately ten seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or released. It then remains lit or goes out. The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
If the state of charge is too low: Charge the 12 V battery. To apply: Apply the electric parking brake manually. If it is not possible to apply the electric parking brake: Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Where necessary, also secure the parked vehicle against rolling away. To release: If the conditions for automatic release are fulfilled and the electric parking brake is not released automatically, release the electric parking brake manually (/ page 250). If it is still not possible to release the electric parking brake: Do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
|
The red F indicator lamp (USA only) or ! indicator lamp (Canada only) is flashing. The electric parking brake is applied while you are driving:
A condition for automatic release of the electric parking brake has not been fulfilled (/ page 249). You are performing emergency braking using the electric parking brake (/ page 250). Check the conditions for automatic release of the electric parking brake. Release the electric parking brake manually. |
| (USA only)
|
|
| (Canada only)
Release Parking Brake |
|
 |
The red F (USA only) (Canada only) indicator lamp is lit.
You have attempted to release the electric parking brake with the vehicle switched off. Switch on the vehicle. |
| (USA only) | |
|
|
| (Canada only) | |
| Switch on Vehicle to Release the Parking Brake |
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| A malfunction has occurred while the HOLD function was activated. A horn may also sound at regular intervals.
You cannot start the vehicle system. Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly until the display message disappears. You cannot start the vehicle system again. |
|
| (USA only) | |
 |
|
| (Canada only) | |
| Brake Immediately | |
| The brake force boosting function is impaired. The hill start assist may be impaired. | |
| (USA only) | WARNING Risk of an accident due to a brake system malfunction |
|
If the brake system is malfunctioning, braking characteristics may be impaired.
Drive on carefully. Have the brake system checked immediately at a qualified specialist workshop. |
| (Canada only) | |
| Malfunction See Opera- tor’s Manual |
| Display messages | Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions |
| Check Brake Pads See Operator’s Manual | The brake pads have reached the wear limit.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. |
FAQ
A: The 2023 S-Class Sedan is often equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
A: The automatic transmission in the S-Class Sedan shifts gears automatically based on driving conditions, throttle input, and vehicle speed.
A: Yes, the transmission is electronically controlled, allowing for seamless and precise gear shifts.
A: Yes, the 2023 S-Class Sedan typically offers a manual mode where drivers can manually select gears using paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
A: Yes, the S-Class Sedan usually offers multiple driving modes that adjust transmission responsiveness, including Comfort, Sport, and Eco modes.
A: Yes, many variants of the S-Class Sedan come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, enhancing traction and stability.
A: Paddle shifters allow drivers to manually change gears without using a clutch pedal, enhancing control and engagement.
A: The transmission, along with the engine and chassis, plays a crucial role in providing a smooth, powerful, and refined driving experience.
A: Yes, the transmission may feature adaptive shifting algorithms that adjust based on driving conditions and the selected driving mode.
A: Yes, modern automatic transmissions in vehicles like the S-Class Sedan often include features like start-stop technology and optimized gear ratios to improve fuel efficiency.
A: Yes, the transmission’s gear ratios and shifting patterns influence the S-Class Sedan’s acceleration and overall performance.
A: Yes, with manual mode and paddle shifters, the driver can take control of shifting gears in the S-Class Sedan.
A: The transmission itself doesn’t have specific safety features, but it contributes to the overall safety and stability of the vehicle.
A: Regular maintenance, such as fluid changes, is important to ensure the proper function and longevity of the transmission.
A: Yes, the 2023 S-Class Sedan often boasts a smooth and refined transmission that complements its luxurious driving experience.
Useful Link
View Full User Guide: Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 User Manual
Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 Vehicle User Manual