2008 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 175

Controls in detail Automatic transmission Gear selector lever positions The current gear selector lever position appears in the right multifunction display. Effect Effect ì Park position Gear selector lever position when the vehicle is parked. Place gear selector lever in park position P only when vehicle is stopped. The park position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always set the parking brake in addition to placing the gear selector lever in park position P to secure the vehicle. The SmartKey can only be removed from the starter switch with the gear selector lever in park position P. With the SmartKey removed, the gear selector lever is locked in park position P. í Reverse gear Place gear selector lever in position R only when vehicle is stopped. ë Neutral No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). To avoid damage to the transmission, never engage neutral position N while driving. If the ESP® is deactivated or malfunctioning: Move gear selector lever to neutral position N only if the vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. 1 Current gear selector lever position 174