173 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch for 
Standard “S” and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) “W” 
program modes.
Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever 
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of 
driving characteristics for which you may not be 
prepared.Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since 
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the 
selection of the program mode.
SStandard mode
Press switch on symbol “S”. Use this mode for all 
regular driving.
The vehicle starts out in 1st gear.
Accelerator Operation:
Fast on = depressing the accelerator pedal quickly 
(not into kickdown position) while driving 
continuously, rather than depressing the 
accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause 
the automatic transmission to shift down into a 
lower gear. This gear shifting process is 
dependent on the current vehicle speed.
Fast off = there will be no upshift when releasing 
the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the 
engine’s braking power during performance 
driving. 
273 Technical data
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Technical data
Model SL 500 (129.068)
1
SL 600 (129.076)
1
Engine113 1 2 0
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders 8 12
Bore 3.82 in (97.00 mm) 3.50 in (89.00 mm)
Stroke 3.30 in (84.00 mm) 3.16 in (80.20 mm)
Total piston displacement 303 cu.in. (4966 cm
3) 365.4 cu.in. (5987 cm
3)
Compression ratio 8.8:1 10:1
Output acc. 
to SAE J 1349302 hp/5600 rpm
(225 kW/5600 rpm)389 hp/5200 rpm
(290 kW/5200 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. 
to SAE J 1349339ft.lb/2750 rpm
(460 Nm/2750 rpm)420ft.lb/3800 rpm
(570 Nm/3800 rpm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm 6000 rpm
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belts length 2390 mm 2585 mm
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies 
and special equipment.