I was driving the ML320 to the mountains this weekend. I left it drive (and did not use the manual down shift). I notice when I am going up a steap hill I lose speed to about 40-45 mph while the rpm drops to 2000-2200, when I give it more gas it stays at these speed and rpm, until I give it a lot more gas and then the higher gear kick in.

My question is on the ML engins is driving up a steep hill at 2000-2200 rpm lugging the engin (therefore shorting engin life). Or should I make it a habbit to use the manual down shift to avoid these situation. Or these is not problem flooring the engin at 2000-2200 rpm.

The reason I stay in drive (not using the manual shift) is because the vehical seem to drive smoother and more powerful (i.e. takes the hills more effortlessly) when in drive (and not me shifting)

After all these years still learning how to drive these things.

thanks

blau

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Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987