Quick Tips
Mercedes-Benz
SL Class
page 28
page 29
D
RIVETRAIN
DRIVETRAIN
DRIVETRAIN
Always check the Operator’s Manual for more operating information and safety features
D = Drive
Normal driving position; transmission
starts in first and shifts up to fifth
gear for optimum economy
Dual mode selector switch (1)
S = Standard mode
Transmission starts in first gear
C = Comfort mode
Transmission starts in second gear,
unless first gear manually selected and
upshifts occur at lower engine speeds
Caution: When parking, always
use parking brake; also set
vehicle in Park, take your keys
and lock the vehicle; failure to
do so could result in your vehicle
moving unintentionally
Tips: Upshifting may be temporarily
delayed during cold weather
starting to allow the catalytic
converter to reach operating
temperature quicker and provide
faster heating
Transmission adapts to your dri-
ving style by varying its shift
points; this is an ongoing process
Caution: Shifting down to lower
gear may cause skidding on
slippery surface
Emergency mode
If vehicle exhibits sluggish acceleration
or transmission refuses to shift, the
transmission is most likely operating in
Limp Home Mode, which engages when
there is a transmission malfunction
In this mode only second gear or
reverse can be activated, to engage
second gear or reverse: Stop vehicle,
move selector to park, turn off
engine, wait 10 seconds, restart
engine, select drive (only second
gear functions) or reverse
shifter button for downshifts, right
shifter button for upshifts
In Standard and Comfort modes, the
steering-wheel button operates the
Touch Shift gear control feature
The MANUAL button (2) activates
manual program
In manual program, automatic gearshifts
only occur when needed upon full throttle
to protect engine from over-revving, and
to select 1st gear when vehicle stops
You can make gear changes using gear
selector lever while in manual program
Reverse and neutral are only selectable
via gear selector lever
Tip: With manual program selected,
automatic gearshifts may occur to
protect engine from over-revving
Keyless Go system
Lock/unlock and start/stop engine
When the driver is carrying the
SmartKey, it is only necessary to
grasp either door handle or push
the trunk lock to unlock them
To start the engine using Keyless Go:
With key inside vehicle; step on the
brake pedal and briefly press the start/
stop button (3) on the gear selector lever
To shut off the engine (with gear
selector lever in park “P”) press
button (3) until engine stops
To unlock vehicle grasp either door
handle (press trunk lock to open trunk)
To lock vehicle push button on either
door handle or trunk
To close all windows and sunroof:
Press button on either door handle
until windows and sunroof close
To open windows and sunroof from
outside vehicle: Slightly pull and
hold either door handle until
windows and sunroof open
Touch Shift gear control
Manual-style gear selection is available
by pressing shift selector lever right/
left while in Drive
To engage: Shift into Drive (D),
briefly press lever left (–), to allow
transmission to shift from current
gear range to next lower gear range;
press and hold lever to right (+) to
shift from current gear directly to Drive
Briefly press lever left (–), transmission
downshifts one gear at a time; press
and hold lever to left (–), transmission
will only shift down to the lowest
possible gear without exceeding
maximum engine speed
SL55 AMG Steering-wheel
gearshift with manual program*
Gear changes are made via steering-
wheel gearshift buttons on rear of the
upper steering-wheel spokes, left
Gear shifter
locking system
Key is removable from
ignition lock only
with shifter in P
position; shifter can
only be moved from
P with key in ignition
lock and brake
pedal depressed
Tip: Ignition key cannot be
removed from lock while foot
is on brake pedal
P = Park
Start vehicle in this position
Never engage when moving
R = Reverse
Never engage when moving
N = Neutral
No gear engaged; engine can be
started in this position
*Standard and optional equipment will vary
P
R
N
D
-
+
ABC
SPORT
OFF
ESP
OFF
P
3
2
1
MANUAL
C/S
2004 SL-Class 7.31.03 to print 2/18/04 11:54 AM Page 15
