2003 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 143

Controls in detail Automatic transmission Activating steering wheel gearshift control Press the program mode selector switch repeatedly until the M for manual shift program appears in the tachometer display field. Automatic gear shifting is deactivated. Upshifting Press the button located on the right side of the steering wheel. or Briefly press the selector lever to the right in the D+ direction. The transmission shifts to the next higher gear. Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Shift into reverse gear only when the vehicle is stopped. Downshifting Press the button located on the left side of the steering wheel. or Briefly press the selector lever to the right in the D- direction. The transmission shifts to the next lower gear. Warning! Deactivating steering wheel gearshift control Press the program mode selector switch repeatedly until S or W appears in the tachometer display field. i At each engine start, the transmission will go into the last shift program mode selected (S or W). Only program mode M is not stored and will not be recalled when engine is restarted. G On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control. 143