Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR 1999, Owner'S Manual

Page: 74 / 153

The autom atic transm ission selects
individual gears autom atically,
dependent upon
• Selector lever position
• Program m ode selector
• Accelerator position
• Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is
continuously adapted, dependent
on the driving style, the driving
situation and the road
characteristics.
Important!
W hen parking the car or before
w orking on the vehicle with the
engine running, firm ly engage the
parking brake and shift the selector
lever into “P” .
Automatic Transmission
The selector lever is autom atically
locked while in position “ P”. To
m ove the selector lever out of
position “ P”, the service brake
pedal m ust be firm ly depressed
before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired
position only w hen the engine is
idling norm ally and the service
brake is applied. Do not release
the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherw ise start creep­
ing when the selector lever is in
drive or reverse position.
Driving
W arning!
It is dangerous to shift the se­
lector lever out of “P ” or “N ” if
the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If you r foot is
not firm ly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forw ard or in reverse.
You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit som eo n e or
som ething. O nly shift into gear
w hen the engine is idling
norm ally and w hen yo u r right
foo t is firm ly on the brake
pedal.
After selecting any driving position
from “ N” or “ P”, w ait a m om ent to
allow the gear to fully engage
before accelerating, especially
w hen the engine is cold.
A ccelerator Position
Partial throttle = early upshifting =
normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting =
rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accel­
erator beyond full throttle) =
dow nshifting to a low er gear =
m axim um acceleration. Once the
desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator - the transm is­
sion shifts up again.
Important!
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