Automatic Transmission; Driving - Mercedes-Benz SL Operator's Manual

Instruments
Operation
and controls

Automatic transmission

Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
• Selector lever position
• Program mode 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!
When parking the car or before working on the vehicle
with the engine running, firmly engage the parking
brake and shift the selector lever into "P".

Driving

The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the selector lever out of position
"P", the service brake pedal must be firmly depressed
before the shift lock will release.
Instrument
Driving
cluster display
Practical hints Car care
168
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of "P"
or "N" if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Important!
After selecting any driving position from "N" or "P",
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Technical
Index
data