Mercedes-Benz 1998 SL 500 Operator's Manual page 82

Selector Lever Positions
The automatic gear shifting process can
be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
P Parking position. The parking
position is to be used when parking
the vehicle. Engage only with the
car stopped. The parking position is
not intended to serve as a brake
when the vehicle is parked. Rather,
the driver should always use the
parking brake in addition to placing
the selector lever in park to secure
the vehicle.
Note:
The key can be removed from the
steering lock only with the foot off the
brake pedal and 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, or driving for any
other reason 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 through 5th gear. Position
"D" provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal
operating conditions,
4 Upshift through 4th gear only.
Suitable for performance driving.
To shift from position "D" to "4",
push selector lever to the left.
3 Upshift through 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 through 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).
82