2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 gears

173 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Downshifting
Press the inside 1 of one of the
buttons on 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).Upshifting

Press the outside of one of the
buttons2 on the steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmis-
sion.
iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.
The last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted.
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.

174 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionSteering 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.
1Left button: downshift
2Right button: upshiftDownshifting

Press button1 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 (CorS).
iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.
The MANUAL program mode will not
be stored. When the engine is turned
off with the MANUAL program mode
selected, the transmission will go to
the automatic program mode (CorS)
when the engine is restarted.
The last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted in the automatic
program mode.
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.

175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting
Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmission
when you are driving in the automatic
program mode (CorS).Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG
In the MANUAL program mode you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 174) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 166).The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
MANUAL For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S)
are indicated in the right multifunction
display (
page 165).
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

176 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionActivating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
MANUAL program mode appears in
the right multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
MANUAL program mode. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.Downshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction
(page 166).
or

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 174).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Upshifting
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.iWhen you brake or stop, the transmis-
sion shifts down to a gear from which
you can easily accelerate or take off.
!In the MANUAL program mode, the
transmission will not upshift, even if
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Shift up to the next gear before
the engine has reached its overrevving
range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red
marking on the tachometer
(page 24). Otherwise the engine
could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty

441 Technical terms
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key. Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
system tracks distance driven and teh
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls
for the next service accordingly.

446 IndexAir conditioner refrigerant 433
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 191
Turning on 191
Air pressure 305
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 373
Turning on 398
Air recirculation mode 187
Air volume adjustment 185
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 334
Airbags 63
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 68, 69
Kneebag 68
Passenger 68Alarm
Audible 78, 88
Canceling 90
Visual 88
Alignment bolt 439
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 396
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 432, 437
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Arming 89
Canceling the alarm 90
Disarming 89
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Tow-away alarm 90
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment 229
Ashtray 29, 233
Aspect ratio 305
At the gas station 267
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 275Automatic climate control 29, 182
Center air vents 29
Deactivating 191
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 29
Temperature sensor 31
Automatic shift program 170
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 170
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 177
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 30, 164
Gear selector lever position 164, 168
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 166
One-touch gearshifting 166
Program mode selector switch 30,
170
Transmission fluid 275

457 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABC 337
ABS 338
Battery 345, 346
Brake pads 346
Brake system 350
CHECK ENGINE 351
Coolant 352
Coolant level 351, 353
Display malfunction 354
Doors 354
Easy-entry/exit feature 354
Fuel reserve tank 357
Hood 357
Luggage cover 371
Retractable hardtop 357
Roll bar 364
SBC brake system 347, 348
Seat belts 364
SmartKey 357
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 359
Tele Aid 364
Telephone* 364Tires 365
Trunk 371
Washer fluid 371
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 135,
442
Buttons 135
N
Navigation system
Operating 142
Night security illumination 154
Normal occupant weight 306
O
Occupant distribution 306
Octane number 443
Odometer, main 25
Oil
Adding 274
Consumption 272
Filler neck 274
Oil level
Checking 269One-touch gearshifting 166
Canceling gear range limit 166
Downshifting 166
Upshifting 166
Opening
Doors from the inside 106
Fuel filler flap 267
Hood 270
Luggage cover 197
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 200
Retractable hardtop (switch) 197
Side windows 194
Storage compartment in the
armrest 230
Storage compartment in the center
console 230
Sunshade 204
Trunk from inside vehicle 108
Trunk lid 107
Windows 193

463 Index
Starter battery 277, 401
Starter switch 23, 36
Starter switch positions 36
SmartKey 36
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 37
Starting difficulties 49
Starting position 36
Starting the engine
With the SmartKey 48
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 49
Steering column
In/out adjustment 42
Length adjustment 42
Up/down adjustment 42
Steering wheel
Adjusting 42
Buttons 28
Cleaning 320
Heating* 234
Height adjustment 42Steering wheel adjustment lever 23
Steering wheel gearshift control 172
Vehicles with Sport Package*172
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG 174
Stopping
Windows 195
Storage compartments 228
Armrest 229
Cup holder 228
Glove box 228
In door 229
In rear 230
Locking compartments
separately 230
Locking storage compartments 230
Rear 230
Storage tray 230
Unlocking compartments
separately 231
Unlocking storage
compartments 231, 375
Ventilated compartments 192Storing tires 281
Submenus 138
Convenience 157
Instrument cluster 148, 149
Lighting 152
Resetting functions 146
Selecting 145
Settings menus 145
Time 149
Vehicle 156
Summer opening feature 200
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 180
Sunshade 203
Closing 204
Opening 204
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 220
For sporty driving style 220
Setting 220