Mercedes-Benz SL 320 Operator's Manual page 78

Selector Lever Positions SL 320
The automatic gear shifting process can
be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
P Parking lock.
The parking lock is an additional
safeguard to the parking brake when
parking the vehicle. Engage only
with the car stopped.
Note:
The key can be removed from the
steering lock only with the selector
lever in position "P". With the key
removed, the selector lever is
locked in position "P".
R Reverse gear.
Shift to reverse gear only with the
car stopped.
N Neutral.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the rear axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle
can be moved freely (pushed or
towed). Do not engage "N" while
driving except to coast when the
vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e.g. on icy roads, see page 19).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle for an ex-
tended period of time with
selector lever in "N" can result in
transmission damage. That is not
covered by the MERCEDES-
BENZ Limited Warranty.
D The transmission automatically
upshifts to 5th gear. Position "D"
provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
4 Upshift to 4th gear only.
Suitable for performance driving.
3 Upshift to 3rd gear only. Suitable
for moderately steep hills. Since
the transmission does not shift
higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the
engine's braking power downhill.
2 Upshift to 2nd gear only. For
driving in mountainous regions
or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will
allow use of the engine's braking
power when descending steep
grades.
Important!
With selector lever in position "D", "4"
or "3", upshifting from 1st to 2nd to
3rd gear is delayed depending on
vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to
heat up more quickly to operating
temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this
delayed upshift and increased engine
noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the
engine nor transmission are negatively
affected by this mode of operation.
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