Mercedes-Benz 2003 SL 55 AMG Automobile User Manual


 
140
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Effect
P Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
position P when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
position P to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in position P.
R Reverse gear
Place selector lever in position R
only when vehicle is stopped.
Effect
N Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, never engage N while driving.
If ESP is deactivated or malfunction-
ing:
Only move selector lever to N if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g.
on icy roads).
D Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
!
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.
Warning! G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in position P is dan-
gerous. Also, position P alone is not intend-
ed to or capable of preventing your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or ob-
jects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position P (
page 47).
When parked on an incline, also turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.