Mercedes-Benz 2003 SL 55 AMG Automobile User Manual


 
138
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in position D.
Downshifting
̈ Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D– direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear to the next lower gear. This
action simultaneously limits the gear
range of the transmission
(
page 139).
Upshifting
̈ Briefly press the selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear to the next higher gear as per-
mitted by the shift program. This action
simultaneously extends the gear range
of the transmission.
Canceling gear range limit
̈ Press and hold the selector lever in the
D+ direction until D reappears in the
tachometer display field.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear range directly to gear
range D.
Shifting into optimal gear range
̈ Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D– direction.
The transmission will automatically se-
lect the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.
Warning! G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
i
To avoid overrevving the engine when
the selector lever is moved to the D– di-
rection, the transmission will not shift
to a lower gear if the engine’s revolu-
tions per minute limit would be exceed-
ed.