2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG automatic transmission

i
To avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s
maximum speed would be exceeded.
Extending gear range X
Briefly press the gear selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
or
X Briefly pull right gearshift control ;.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next higher gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
i If you press on the accelerator pedal
when the engine has reached the
revolution limit of the current gear range,
the automatic transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Canceling gear range limit X
Press and hold the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+ direction until D
reappears in the multifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold right gearshift control ; until
D reappears in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission will shift from
the current gear range directly into drive
position D.
Shifting into optimal gear range X
Press and hold the gear selector lever to
the left in the D- direction.
or
X Pull and hold left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will select the
gear range suited for optimal acceleration
and deceleration automatically. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears. Manual shift program
The manual shift program is available on
vehicles with AMG Sport Package and on
SLK 55 AMG only.
Manual program mode M differs with regard
to spontaneity, response time, and shifting
smoothness from automatic program mode
S.
In manual program mode M, system-
controlled automatic gearshifting is switched
off. You need to change the gears by manually
upshifting or downshifting using the gear
selector lever or the steering wheel gearshift
control. Program mode selector switch on vehicles with
AMG Sport Package and SLK 55 AMG
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
M Manual For manual gearshifting
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
Y page 89).
For information on automatic program mode
(C or S), see “Automatic shift program”
(Y page 88) and “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 89). 90
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Activating manual shift program
X
Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until M appears in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission switches to
manual program mode M. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range is
not limited.
You can change the gears manually with drive
position D selected. You can upshift or
downshift through the gears in succession.
i Manual program mode M will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with
manual program mode M selected, the
automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C when the
engine is restarted.
Upshifting !
In manual program mode M, the
automatic transmission will not upshift,
even if the engine has reached its
overrevving range. Shift up into 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. Otherwise
the engine could be damaged which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
X Briefly press the gear selector lever to the
right in the D+ direction.
or
X Briefly pull right gearshift control ;
(Y page 89).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next higher gear. Upshift indicator In manual program mode
M, upshift
indicator ; in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. In addition,
symbol ^ may appear instead of manual
program mode symbol M in the multifunction
display. Thus you can drive at the maximum
engine speed for each gear without
overrevving the engine.
X Shift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting G
Warning!
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.
X Briefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
X Briefly pull left gearshift control :
(Y page 89).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, press and
hold the gear selector lever to the left in the
D- direction or pull and hold the left
gearshift control. Depending on the engine
speed the automatic transmission selects Automatic transmission
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the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode
M is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program X
Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until C or S appears in the
multifunction display.
or
X Restart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored.Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting.
X Restart the engine.
X Shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R.
X Have the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible. Instrument cluster
Introduction
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(Y page 26). G
Warning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible. :
To brighten instrument cluster
illumination (knob +)
; To dim instrument cluster illumination
(knob -)
= Reset button .
For information on changing the instrument
cluster settings, e.g. the language, see
(Y page 103). 92
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information or to customize the settings for
your vehicle.
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being
arranged in a circular pattern.
X
Press button V or U repeatedly to
pass through each menu one after the
other.
X Press button * or & repeatedly to
pass through each function display, one
after the other, in the current menu.
In the Settings menu, instead of functions,
you will find a number of submenus for calling
up and changing settings. For instructions on
using these submenus, see “Settings menu”
(Y page 102).
The number of menus available in the system
depends on which optional equipment is
installed in your vehicle. Multifunction display
:
Main odometer
; Trip odometer =
Automatic transmission program mode
indicator 5
? Outside temperature/digital
speedometer
A Transmission position/gear range
indicator 5
For more information on menus displayed in
the multifunction display, see “Menus and
submenus” (Y page 96).
5 Automatic transmission only Control system
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:
Setting current or higher speed
; Setting current or lower speed
= Canceling the cruise control
? Resume to last set speed
Activating cruise control You can activate the cruise control at a
vehicle speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
You cannot activate the cruise control
R
when you brake
R when you have engaged the parking brake
R when the automatic transmission is in park
position P, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N
R the ESP ®
is switched off or has switched off
due to a malfunction
Setting current speed X
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
X Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow : or press in direction
of arrow ;.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
i On uphill grades, the cruise control may
not be able to maintain the set speed. Once
the grade eases, the set speed will be
resumed. On downhill grades, the cruise control
maintains the set speed by braking with the
vehicle’s brake system.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
In addition, on longer downhill grades the
automatic transmission will downshift
automatically.
i Vehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when
shifting into another gear, the engine speed
may increase.
R Always drive with sufficient, but not
excessive, engine speed.
R Shift the gear in a timely manner.
R Avoid shifting down more than one gear
if at all possible.
Canceling cruise control X
Depress the brake pedal.
or
X Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow =.
The last set speed is stored for later use.
The last stored speed is deleted from memory
when the engine is turned off.
The cruise control switches off automatically
when
R you depress the brake pedal
R you engage the parking brake
R the vehicle speed falls below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R the ESP ®
is in operation
R the ESP ®
is switched off with the ESP ®
switch
R the ESP ®
has switched off due to a
malfunction
R Vehicles with manual transmission: you
engage neutral or depress the clutch pedal
for more than 7 seconds during shifting into
another gear 160
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R
Vehicles with manual transmission: you
engage a gear too high for the current
speed
and thus the engine speed is too low
R Vehicles with automatic transmission: you
shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N while driving
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After a brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last set speed.
Changing the set speed G
Warning!
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase

or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
When you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will brake the
vehicle automatically if the engine’s braking
power does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
X Increasing: Lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow : and hold it up until
the desired speed is reached.
X Decreasing:
Press the cruise control lever
in direction of arrow ; and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate or decelerate. Fine adjustment in 1 mph (Canada:
1 km/h) increments
X
Increasing: Briefly tip the cruise control
lever in direction of arrow :.
X Decreasing: Briefly tip the cruise control
lever in direction of arrow ;.
Setting stored speed (Resume
function) G
Warning!
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Possible
acceleration or deceleration differences
arising from returning to the preset speed
could

cause an accident and/or serious injury
to you and others.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow ?.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last stored speed is deleted from memory
when the engine is turned off. Driving systems
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X
Lift up vanity mirror cover B.
Vanity mirror lamp : comes on. Ashtray
X
Opening: Press cover plate : briefly in
direction of the arrow.
X Removing ashtray insert: Secure vehicle
from movement by setting the parking
brake.
X Automatic transmission: Shift the
automatic transmission into neutral
position N.
X Manual transmission: Shift the manual
transmission into 2nd gear.
X Reach into both recesses on the left and
right side of the retainer and pull out the
ashtray insert.
X Reinstalling ashtray insert: Place the
ashtray insert into the retainer.
X Push the ashtray insert down into the
retainer until it engages.
X Closing: Press cover plate : until the
ashtray engages. Cigarette lighter
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45. G
Warning!
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only. Make sure any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter.
If the engine is off and the cigarette lighter is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Push in cigarette lighter :.
Cigarette lighter : will pop out
automatically when hot.
X Reinsert cigarette lighter : in its socket
after use. Power outlet
The power outlet can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(e.g. auxiliary lamps, mobile phone chargers)
up to a maximum of 15 A (180 W).
If the engine is off and the power outlet is
being used extensively, the vehicle battery
may become discharged.
X Switch on the ignition. Useful features
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Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual. The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during
the break-in period, the more satisfied
you will be with its performance later on.
R Drive your vehicle during the first
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
R During this period, avoid heavy loads (full
throttle driving) and excessive engine
speeds (no more than 2
/ 3 of maximum rpm
in each gear).
R Vehicles with automatic transmission:
-Select C as the preferred shift program
(Y page 88) for the first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km).
- Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down
by shifting to a lower gear using the gear
selector lever.
- Select gear ranges 3, 2 or 1
(Y page 88) only when driving at
moderate speeds (for hill driving).
- Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
R Vehicles with manual transmission:
Shift gears in a timely manner.
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum. !
Additional instructions for AMG vehicles:
R During the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km),
do not exceed a speed of 85 mph
(140 km/h).
R During this period, avoid engine speeds
above 4 500 rpm in each gear.
R Shift gears in a timely manner.
All

of the above instructions, as may apply to
your vehicle type, also apply when driving the
first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after the engine
or the rear differential has been replaced.
i Always obey applicable speed limits. At the gas station
Refueling
G
Warning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health. G
Warning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray

back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
! Never refuel vehicles with gasoline engine
with diesel fuel. Even small amounts of
diesel fuel will damage the fuel system and
engine. Damage resulting from the use of
non-approved fuels or fuel additives or
resulting from mixing gasoline with diesel 190
At the gas station
Operation
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