2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS steering

175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Downshifting

Press button1 on the left side of the
steering wheel.
The transmission shifts to the next low-
er gear.
The current gear selector position ap-
pears in the right multifunction display
(page 117).
The gear range (
page 170) is limited
when you are not driving in the manual
gearshift program modeM (
page 175).
Upshifting

Press button2 on the right side of the
steering wheel.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
The current gear selector position ap-
pears in the right multifunction display
(page 117).
The gear range (
page 170) is extended
when you are not driving in the manual
gearshift program modeM (
page 175).
Manual gearshift program
In the manual gearshift programM you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 174) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 168).
Activating manual gearshift program

Turn program mode selector switch1
(page 173) to the MAN setting.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. The letter
M
appears in the right multifunction dis-
play and the lamp in program mode se-
lector switch3 (
page 176) comes
on. Automatic shifting is switched off.
The gear range is not limited.
iYou can change gears using the steer-
ing wheel gearshift buttons indepen-
dent of the currently selected gearshift
program (C/MAN/S).
You cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.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.

176 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionSelecting manual gearshift program
3Program selector switch for the manual
gearshift program
I Sport For sporty driving
II Super Sport For very sporty driving
III Race For racing-like driving
1
The individual shifting programs differ with
regard to spontaneity, response time, and
shifting smoothness.

Turn program selector switch3 to the
desired setting (I, II or III).
Downshifting

Press the button1 (
page 174) on
the left side of the steering wheel.
or

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission shifts to the next low-
er gear.
The current gear selector position ap-
pears in the right multifunction display
(page 117).
1Please always drive carefully and obey applicable
speed limits.
iThe currently selected manual gear-
shift program (I, II or III) does not ap-
pear in the right multifunction display.
The current setting is indicated only on
the program mode selector switch 3.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.

177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Upshifting

Press the button2 (
page 174) on
the right side of the steering wheel.
or

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
The current gear selector position ap-
pears in the right multifunction display
(page 117).
If the red gearshift indicator lamp>
comes on in the speedometer display
(
page 29), shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be interrupt-
ed to prevent the engine from overrevving.
Deactivating manual gearshift program

Turn program mode selector switch1
(page 173) to the C or S setting.
The selected gearshift program ap-
pears in the right multifunction display.Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear
can be activated.
Stop the vehicle.

Move gear selector lever toP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least ten seconds before
restarting.

Restart the engine.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
(for second gear) orR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!In the manual program modeM, 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 28). Otherwise the engine
could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

197 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
For information on the BAS, ABS and ESP
driving systems, (
page 79).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 30).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

204 Controls in detailUseful features
You can take and place telephone calls us-
ing the í and ì buttons on the
steering wheel. To carry out other tele-
phone functions, use the control system
(page 138).
See separate instruction manual for in-
structions on how to operate the tele-
phone.Removing the cellular phone from the
cellular phone cradle
1Release button
2Remove the cellular phone

Press the release button1 and re-
move the cellular phone in direction of
arrow 2 from the cellular phone
cradle.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iFor additional information on operating
the telephone using the audio system
head unit, see “Telephone operation”
(page 160).
iStandard Mercedes-Benz cellular
phone design shown, SLR phone de-
sign may vary.

207 Controls in detail
Useful features
3Engage cellular phone cradle
Push the top of the cellular phone in di-
rection of arrow3, until the cellular
phone cradle engages in the holder.Making calls in hands-free mode

Open the cellular phone flap.

Either accept the call or dial the desired
number.

Close the cellular phone flap.
Hands-free mode is selected.
If you wish to change back to private
mode:

Open the cellular phone flap.

Remove the cellular phone from the
holder (
page 206).
Tele Aid
!To prevent any damage, the cellular
phone flap must be folded down before
closing the telephone compartment.
iFor additional information on operating
the telephone using the audio system
head unit, refer to “Telephone opera-
tion” (
page 160) in chapter “Audio
system”.
For additional information on operating
the telephone using the multifunction
steering wheel, refer to “Control sys-
tem” (page 138).
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid sys-
tem may only be performed by com-
pleting the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the
¡button. Failure to complete either
of these steps will result in a system
that is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding ac-
tivation, please call the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-881-6611 (in Canada).

208 Controls in detailUseful featuresThe Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:


automatic and manual emergency


Roadside assistance


information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç.

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, and
more.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than ten seconds or do not come on). The
message
Tele Aid – Drive to workshop!

appears for approximately ten seconds in
the multifunction display.
iThe SOS button is located above the in-
side rear view mirror.
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located in the center storage compart-
ment (
page 201).
!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the Tele
Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned
by other means.

212 Controls in detailUseful features
Information button ¡
The Information button¡ is located be-
low the center armrest cover.
Press and hold the button (for longer
than two seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting call
will appear
in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected
appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be estab-
lished. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz
USA products and services is available to
you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you sep-
arately) to learn more (USA only).
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately ten sec-
onds during the system self-check after
switching on the ignition (together with
the SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 208) if
the indicator lamp does not come on in
red or stays on longer than approxi-
mately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center es-
tablished, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
Call failed
appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the ìbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel.