Mercedes-Benz 2006 SLK 280 Operator's Manual page 169

Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Downshifting
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
Briefly press button 1 on the left side
of the steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously limits
the gear range of the transmission
( page 160) when you are driving in the
automatic program mode (C or S).
168
Upshifting
Briefly press button 2 on the right
G
side of the steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmission
when you are driving in the automatic
program mode (C or S).
Canceling gear range limit
Press and hold button 2 on the right
side of the steering wheel until
reappears in the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear range D.
Shifting into optimal gear range
Press and hold button 1 on the left
side of the steering wheel.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
D