2002 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 178
2002 Mercedes SL-Class Manual
Page 178 highlights
Instruments and controls Operation Driving Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Automatic transmission W Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode Press switch on symbol "W". The vehicle starts out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down position. The "W" mode helps to improve traction and driving stability of the vehicle. The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle and engine speeds than in the "S" program mode. Important! Dependent on the program mode selector switch position "S" or "W" and the gear selector lever in position "R", the ratio of power transmission changes. 174 Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode) If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be accompanied by the "CHECK ENGINE" malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on. In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be activated. To engage 2nd gear or reverse: 1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Move selector lever to position "P". 3. Turn off the engine. 4. Wait approx. 10 seconds. 5. Restart the engine. 6. Move selector lever to position "D" (for 2nd gear), or move selector lever to position "R" (for reverse gear). Have the transmission checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.