Automatic Drive Program; Steering Wheel Paddle Shifters - Mercedes-Benz SLK Operator's Manual

Automatic transmission
148
E Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency
S Sport
M Manual
Only change from automatic drive program
E or S to manual drive program M when the
vehicle is stationary.
i
When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E (drive program C in AMG
vehicles).
i
AMG vehicles: when in drive program C
and with a small load demand, the engine
will automatically only operate with four
cylinders. This is the case in city traffic or
on a country road, for example. This
reduces fuel consumption. Cylinder shut-
off is inactive in drive programs S and M,
so that the engine will operate with all eight
cylinders.
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (

Steering wheel paddle shifters

Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
:
Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
;
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
Comfortable, economical
driving
Sporty driving style
Manual gear shifting
page 148).
Y
the steering wheel paddle shifters
( page 149).
Y
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters
or the selector lever (
Y
i
The full range of functions for the steering
wheel paddle shifters is available only once
operating temperature has been reached.
i
You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D.

Automatic drive program

Drive program E (drive program C on AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
comfort-oriented engine and transmission
R
settings
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
R
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
R
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
increased sensitivity. This improves driving
R
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
the automatic transmission shifting up
R
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program S is characterized by the
following:
sporty engine and transmission settings
R
the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R
the automatic transmission shifting up
R
later
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
R
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
page 150).