Using the steering wheel paddles* to shift

Updated 2020-03-19

The steering wheel paddles are a supplement to the gear selector and make it possible to shift manually without removing your hands from the steering wheel.

Activating the steering wheel paddles

In order to shift gears using the paddles, they must first be activated:

Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel.

A number in the instrument panel indicates the current gear being used.

P5-1917-Old-Gear shift mode D in driver display — Instrument panel when shifting gears using steering wheel paddles, large gear selector.

P5P6-1917-8G-Gear shifting with paddles, information in driver display — Instrument panel when shifting gears using steering wheel paddles, small gear selector.

In shift mode M, the paddles are automatically activated.

P5-1917-Old gear shift pattern in driver display — Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting in manual mode, large gear selector.

P5P6-1917-8G-Manual gear in driver display — Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting in manual mode, small gear selector.

Change

To shift one gear:

Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel and then release.

As long as the engine speed (rpm) is within the permissible range for the selected gear, a gear shift will take place each time a paddle is pulled. After each gear shift, a number indicating the current gear will be displayed in the instrument panel.

Turning off Start/Stop

Manual deactivation in gear D and M

Deactivate the paddles by pulling the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel and holding it until the number of the current gear is no longer displayed in the instrument panel.

The transmission will return to gear selector position D.

On vehicles with the large gear selector, the function can only be switched off in gear selector position D.

Automatic deactivation

In gear position D, the steering wheel paddles are deactivated after a short period of time if they are not used. The number of the current gear will no longer be displayed in the instrument panel. If engine braking is currently being used, the paddles will remain active until engine braking stops.

In gear position M, the paddles will not activate automatically.