Driving an automatic car is just as easy, if not easier, than driving a manual transmission. Mercedes Benz models are equipped with advanced automatic transmissions designed to combine driving comfort and sportiness. In addition, driving an automatic offers a number of advantages that a manual car does not, which you will discover below.
In the past, automatic gearboxes were reserved for select models. The norm was for cars to offer manual transmissions, which were more economical, easier to maintain and, in the long run, simpler to run. However, advances in engineering and the latest technical solutions in the industry have allowed an automatic transmission to be equally or more efficient than a manual gearbox, with a number of added benefits that are characteristic of this type of transmission.
Automatic driving: what do you need to know?
Inexperienced drivers may wonder how to drive an automatic car for the first time. Some fear or insecurity at first is common, but it disappears once you get behind the wheel of a Mercedes automatic. Our advanced automatic transmissions have been developed to make driving a comfortable, efficient and highly automated experience.
The first thing you should know is that to drive an automatic car you only need your right foot. There is no clutch pedal, so under the steering wheel you will find the accelerator (right) and the brake pedal (center/left). In automatic cars the left foot is not used, so we have just eliminated one of the basic actions that all drivers of manual cars must perform.
The next point to keep in mind is that the gearshift lever of a Mercedes automatic is located behind the steering wheel. Specifically, to the right of the steering wheel, although in some vehicles, such as Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles, it appears as a conventional gearshift. But, in general, it is a lever similar to the one used to control the turn signals, although with four functions:
- A: reverse gear.
- N: neutral (dead center).
- D: drive (forward gear).
- P: parking (this is the mode that is activated when stopping the engine or parking).
The third aspect you should consider is that, to make any changes on the automatic transmission lever, the car will be stationary. With the engine started, keep the brake pedal depressed and move the lever up or down, or press the switch located at the end of the lever, to change between reverse, forward or parking mode.
How to drive an automatic car correctly?
Once you have climbed into your Mercedes Benz automatic, press the brake pedal and press the start button. The engine will start and you will be ready to start your journey. Next, operate the gearshift lever located on the right behind the steering wheel to engage the desired gear. Pressing it down will activate the direct (forward) gear, pressing it up will engage the reverse gear. Whatever action you perform, you must press the brake pedal.
It's time to really start driving an automatic. You will notice that, when you release the brake pedal, the car will slowly start to move forward as long as the lever is in position D. Don't worry, your Mercedes Benz will barely gain speed if you don't step on the accelerator. Once the right pedal is pressed, the car will pick up speed and shift gears fully automatically. Always accelerate gently to practice efficient driving and save fuel.
Once you have reached your destination, always with the brake pedal depressed, change the lever position to R (reverse) to initiate a parking maneuver. If it is not necessary, you can activate parking mode by pressing the button located at the end of the gearshift. Any change in the car's transmission will be duly indicated on the instrument panel display of your Mercedes Benz.
If your Mercedes is equipped with the automatic gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel, you can manage the gears according to your preferences, increasing the experience of sportiness and control over the vehicle. Finally, the driving modes of the Mercedes Benz DYNAMIC SELECT program vary the behavior of the automatic gearbox.
Advantages of driving an automatic car
There are a number of advantages that are only available when you can drive an automatic car. Compared to a vehicle with a manual transmission, an automatic transmission offers:
- Driving comfort: the gears and downshifts are automatic, reducing the driver's intervention on the vehicle.
- Less fatigue at the wheel: especially on long trips, an automatic car involves fewer actions at the wheel, which reduces the onset of fatigue.
- Increased feeling of acceleration: an automatic transmission is faster when shifting, which translates into greater acceleration and performance.
- Extra sportiness: if your Mercedes has gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel, you can experience even more sporty driving.
- More efficiency: driving an automatic translates into greater efficiency by shifting optically, at an appropriate rpm, which can help reduce fuel consumption.
Tips for driving an automatic car
As you can see, driving an automatic Mercedes is especially easy, comfortable and with a number of important advantages. There are also some tricks for driving an automatic car that will help you improve efficiency and comfort. One of the tricks is to learn not to use your left foot, especially if it is the first time you drive an automatic car. One tip is to place it on the footrest on the left. This way, you will avoid temptation or mistakenly applying the brake in an attempt to find a non-existent clutch pedal.
The same will happen with your right hand. If it is your first time at the wheel of an automatic car, the habit and first inertia will be to try to change gears. To avoid unnecessary arm movements, rest both hands firmly on the steering wheel and concentrate on driving. You will probably make this movement in the first few kilometers behind the wheel of an automatic car, but it tends to disappear quickly.
Finally, try to familiarize yourself with the positions of the shift lever (R, N, D and P). If you know the meaning of these four positions beforehand, you will be able to shift naturally, reducing downtime and avoiding having to stop and think about the next action to perform. It may seem complicated at first, but it is actually easier than learning the positions of a manual shift lever.
If you want to experience how to drive an automatic car for the first time, in the Official Mercedes Benz Dealers of Grupo Concesur you will find vehicles equipped with this transmission, or request a test drive without obligation.
