Mercedes-Benz SL 2008 Owner's Manual page 103

Controls
Automatic transmission
gram selected. This also extends the shift
range.
To shift down: briefly press the selector
X
lever to the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear, depending on the gear cur-
rently selected. This also restricts the shift
range.
i
To prevent the engine from overrevving,
the automatic transmission does not shift
down if you push the selector lever towards
D– while driving at too high a speed.
To derestrict the shift range: press and
X
hold the selector lever towards D+ until D
is shown once more in the display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
To select the most effective shift
X
range: press and hold the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission will shift down one or more
gears.
100
Shift ranges
When the selector lever is in position D, it is
possible to restrict or derestrict the shift
range for the automatic transmission.
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
X
towards D+ or to the left towards D–.
The shift range selected is shown in the
display. The automatic transmission shifts
only as far as the selected gear.
i
If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted.
Driving situation
è The braking effect of the engine can
be used in this position.
ç To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
on steep mountain roads
R
in mountainous terrain
R
in arduous conditions
R
æ To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and long downhill
stretches.
Program selector button
Program selector button
1