Mercedes-Benz SL 320 Operator's Manual page 80

Selector Lever Positions 500 SL,
600 SL
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 Winter driving
Instructions in Index).
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 4th gear. Position "D"
provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
4 Upshift to 4th gear only. Suitable
for performance driving. To shift
from position "D" to "4", push
selector lever to the left.
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.
1 In this position, the engine's
braking effect is utilized by
shifting into 1st gear. Use this
position while descending very
steep or lengthy downgrades and
only at speeds below 40 mph (60
km/h).
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.
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