Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2009 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 105)

Automatic transmission
103
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1 Program mode indicator
! Never change the program mode when
the automatic transmission is out of park
position
P. This could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may
not be prepared.
i The last selected automatic program
mode ( C or S) is switched on when the
engine is restarted.
X Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the desired
program mode appears in the multifunction
display.
Selecting program mode C means:
R The vehicle starts out more gentle, both
forward and reverse, except when driving
off with full throttle.
R Traction and driving stability are improved
on icy roads.
R Upshifts occur earlier even when you give
more gas. The engine then operates at
lower rpms and the wheels are less likely
to spin.
Selecting program mode S means that
upshifts occur later.
One-touch gearshifting
With the automatic transmission in drive posi-
tion
D and driving in automatic program mode
C or S, you can limit or extend the gear range
using the gear selector lever or the steering
wheel gearshift contol.
Vehicles with AMG Sport Package and
SLK 55 AMG: For information on using the
gear selector lever or the steering wheel gear-
shift control in manual program mode
M, see
“Manual shift program” ( Y page 104).
Steering wheel gearshift control (example illustra-
tion)
1
Limiting gear range
Downshift (in manual program mode
M)
2 Extending gear range
Upshift (in manual program mode
M)
i You cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the automatic trans-
mission is in park position
P, neutral posi-
tion N, or reverse gear R.
Limiting gear range
G Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
Controls in detail
Z