Shifting gears with automatic transmission

Change gear position by pushing the spring-loaded gear selector forward or rearward, or to the side for manual shifting.

Selecting gears

P5-2017-8G-Gear shift pattern
Gear selector and gear selector positions overview.

 Note

To facilitate parking and other low-speed maneuvers, the gear selector can be moved between D and R at very low speeds without depressing the brake pedal.

Gear selector positions

Parking – P

P5-22w22-Gear shifter P
Gear selector and P position overview.

Parking is activated using the P button located next to the gear selector.

In the P position, the transmission is mechanically locked.

Select P position when the vehicle is parked. The vehicle can be started when it is in P position. The vehicle must be stationary when P is selected.

When parking – apply the parking brake before shifting to position P.

 Warning

Always apply the parking brake when parking on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the automatic transmission in P may not be sufficient to keep the vehicle stationary in all situations.

 Note

The gear selector must be in position P in order to lock the vehicle and set the alarm.

Help functions

The system will switch to the P position automatically:

  • if the ignition is switched off while D or R is selected and the vehicle is stationary.
  • if the vehicle is moving at low speed and the driver unbuckles their seat belt and opens the driver's door without any pedal being depressed.

To park a vehicle with an unbuckled seat belt and open door – end P mode by shifting to R or D again.

If the vehicle is switched off in gear position N, it will not automatically switch to the P position. This makes it possible to wash the vehicle in an automatic car wash.

Reverse – R

Select R when backing up. The vehicle must be stationary when R is selected.

Neutral – N

In N position, the vehicle can roll freely. Apply the parking brake if the vehicle is stationary with the gear selector in the N position.

To move to another gear position when N is selected, the brake pedal must be depressed and the engine running.

D drive mode

D is the normal driving gear position. The transmission shifts up or down automatically depending on acceleration and speed.

The vehicle must be stationary when the gear selector is moved from R to D.

Manual position – M

P5-22w22-iCup-Gear shift mode M in driver display

With position M, it is possible to shift gears manually. Engine braking will occur when the accelerator pedal is released.

M position is selected by moving the gear selector rearward from D.

  • Push the gear selector to the right toward "+" (plus) and release to shift up one gear.
  • Push the gear selector to the left toward "–" (minus) and release to shift down one gear.
  • Push the gear selector rearward to return to D mode.

For smooth shifting and engine performance, the transmission will shift down automatically if the vehicle's speed becomes too low for the selected gear.