Mercedes-Benz 380 SL 1985 Owner's Manual page 51

Chassis 107
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"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, towed or tow-
started). Do not engage "N"
when driving except when the
vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e. g. on icy roads, see page 55).
"D" Drive.
All forward gears are available.
The vehicle starts off in 1st
gear. Position "D" affords opti­
mum driving characteristics
under all normal operating
conditions.
"3" Upshift to 3rd gear only.
OK for medium range up or
downgrades.
"2" Upshift to 2nd gear only. For
driving in mountainous regions.
Since transmission will not
shift up further, this gear
selection will make use of the
engine's braking power.
"B" In this position, the engine's
braking effect is utilized while
descending steep or lengthy
downgrades, especially with a
trailer. Use this position only
below 60 km/h/40 mph.
Important!
Do not exceed the speed limits for
individual gear selections, which
are correspondingly indicated by
marks on the speedometer.
Do not attempt downshifting to a
lower gear unless the speedometer
needle is below the speed-limit-
mark of that particular gear range.
Over-rewing could result in
damage to the engine.
On slippery road surfaces, it is not
recommended to downshift to
obtain braking action.
Starting and Shifting Gears
Trailer Operation
When proceeding on a hill, do not
allow the engine RPM to drop off
too low. Shift the gear selector well
in advance, depending on the
degree of incline or decline, to
position "3" or "2".
Stopping
When stopping, e. g. at a traffic
light, hold vehicle with service
brake while leaving the transmis­
sion engaged; do not hold vehicle
by accelerating engine. This will
help to avoid unnecessary heat-
buildup in transmission.
For longer stops with the engine
idling, shift into "N" or " P".
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas e. g.
when pulling into a parking space,
control the car speed by gradually
releasing the service brake.
Accelerate gently and do not pump
the accelerator. To rock a car out
of soft ground (mud or snow), alter­
nately shift from forward to reverse,
while applying partial throttle.
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