What is the operation tutorial for Mercedes-Benz column shifter?

[OArya]

The operation tutorial for Mercedes-Benz column shifter is: 1. Locate the column shifter behind the right side of the steering wheel; 2. Press the brake pedal and toggle up and down sequentially for R, N, D gears; 3. Press the edge button inward for P gear. The column shifter gets its name because the gear lever is pulled toward the driver's chest during shifting, and it is located at the lower right of the steering wheel. Mercedes-Benz is a German brand, and its models include: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, GLC, GLS, GLE, and Maybach S-Class. Taking the Mercedes-Benz GLC as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4729mm, width 1890mm, height 1602mm, wheelbase 2873mm, and fuel tank capacity 66 liters.

[VanOscar]

I just got a new Mercedes, and it's my first time driving a car with a column shifter. This thing is on the right side of the steering wheel, like a wiper stalk. Before driving, press the brake pedal, hold the button at the end, and pull it backward to shift into D (Drive) for moving forward. Pull it straight to return to N (Neutral). At a red light, when in N, you still need to keep your foot on the brake to prevent rolling. Reversing is the easiest—just gently push the front part to shift into R (Reverse). For parking, always press the silver button to shift into P (Park). Once you get used to it, it’s super convenient—it doesn’t take up center console space and leaves room for your bubble tea. If you’re driving a car with auto start-stop, the engine quiets down when you come to a stop and press the brake firmly. Just be careful not to mix up the directions—once, I was in a hurry and pulled it toward me, accidentally shifting into reverse.

[MacEverett]

Honestly, the Mercedes column shifter is so much more convenient than the floor shifter in my previous car. When driving, I can operate it naturally with my right hand resting on the steering wheel: press the entire lever all the way down while holding the brake to engage D (Drive) gear, or gently push it forward for two seconds to switch to R (Reverse) for backing up. The most frequently used function is pressing the metal button on top of the lever to directly shift into P (Park). At red lights, just keep it in D while holding the brake, and the engine auto start-stop will shut off. The only thing to note is not to press the top button during gear changes—it’s specifically for unlocking special operations. Once, a friend drove my car and instinctively reached for the center console to find the shifter, only to be hilariously confused when they couldn’t locate it.

[DeMia]

The Mercedes column shifter is located on the right rear side of the steering wheel, and it's actually quite intuitive to use. After pressing the brake, gently pull it downward to engage D (Drive) for moving forward, or push it all the way up to switch to R (Reverse) for backing up. To shift into N (Neutral), simply move it lightly to the middle position. When parking, press the silver button at the end of the shifter to directly engage P (Park). You can operate it without even looking while driving, keeping your right hand on the steering wheel at all times. For brief stops at traffic lights, it's recommended to stay in D, as the automatic hold function will keep the vehicle braked for you.

[Jackie]

As a long-time Mercedes-Benz owner, I particularly adore the column shifter design. There's no need to look down when shifting gears—the lever at the lower right of the steering wheel is the control hub: lightly pull it downward with the brake pressed for D (Drive), push it upward for R (Reverse), and the vertical position is N (Neutral). The most thoughtful detail is the silver button at the end—a gentle press instantly engages P (Park). This eliminates the space taken up by traditional gear levers, freeing up the center console for touchscreen controls. After getting used to it, driving ordinary cars feels cumbersome. A reminder for beginners: always shift to P when parking. Once, a relative forgot to press the button and turned off the engine directly, triggering an alarm so loud the entire neighborhood heard it.

[LucilleFitz]

I remember being all thumbs the first time I used Mercedes' column shifter. Now I've figured out the pattern: buckle up, step on the brake, and push the entire column shifter lever downward firmly with your right hand to engage D gear. To reverse, push it upward gently to avoid overshooting into N gear. At traffic lights, no need to shift - just press the brake deeply for auto hold. The real magic is that top button - a light press instantly engages P gear when parking. At first I kept looking for the gear lever on the console, but once accustomed, my fingers naturally find the column shifter when signaling turns. Now I love showing off this design to friends - the freed-up console space makes phone mount placement so much easier.