2006 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 173

Controls in detail Automatic transmission Steering wheel gearshift control SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG The steering wheel gearshift buttons are located to the left and right of the steering wheel. i You cannot shift with the steering wheel gearshift buttons when the gear selector lever is in position P, N or R. The last selected program mode (C or S) is switched on when the engine is restarted in the automatic program mode. The following instructions describe operation of the steering wheel gearshift control when driving in the automatic program mode C or S. Downshifting Warning! 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. Briefly press button 1 on the left side of the steering wheel. The transmission will shift to the next lower gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the transmission ( page 167) when you are driving in the automatic program mode (C or S). 1 Left button: downshift 2 Right button: upshift For instructions on operating the steering wheel gearshift control and gear selector lever in the program mode MANUAL, see "Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG" ( page 173). 172