2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS manual transmission

Automatic shift program
Program mode selector dial
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingS+ Sport PlusFor sporty driving with
shorter shift times
M ManualFor manual gearshifting
(Y page 268)
RS RACE STARTFor optimum
acceleration from a
standing start
iProgram mode RS cannot be selected
while driving. For more information, see
“RACE START” (Y page 292).
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
:Program mode indicator
iIn addition, the currently selected
program mode is indicated in red on the
program mode selector dial.
You should only change the program mode
when the transmission is in park position P.
Automatic program mode S or S+ will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
automatic program mode S or S+ selected,
the transmission will go to the automatic
program mode C when the engine is
restarted.
XTurn the program mode selector dial until
the letter of the desired program mode
appears in the multifunction display.
Selecting program mode C means:
RThe vehicle starts out more gentle, both
forward and reverse, except when driving
off with full throttle.
RTraction and driving stability are improved
on icy roads.
RUpshifts occur earlier even when you give
more gas. The engine then operates at
lower revolutions and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
Selecting program mode S means that
upshifts occur later.
One-touch gearshifting
With the transmission in drive position D and
driving in automatic program mode C, S, or
S+, you can limit or extend the gear range
using the gear selector lever or the steering
wheel gearshift control.
For information on using the gear selector
lever or the steering wheel gearshift control
in manual program mode M, see “Manual shift
program” (Y page 268).
Steering wheel gearshift control
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iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the transmission is
in park position P, neutral position N, or
reverse gear R.
Limiting gear range GWarning!
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.
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :.
or
XMove the gear selector lever forward briefly
( Y page 263).
The transmission will shift into the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously limits
the gear range of the transmission.
i To avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the transmission will not shift
into a lower gear if the engine’s maximum
speed would be exceeded.
Extending gear range
XBriefly pull right gearshift control ;.
or
XMove the gear selector lever back briefly
( Y page 263).
The transmission will shift into the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmission.
i If you press on the accelerator pedal
when the engine has reached the
revolution limit of the current gear range,
the transmission will upshift beyond any
gear range limit selected.
Canceling gear range limitXPull and hold right gearshift control ; until
the gear range indicator disappears from
the multifunction display.
or
XMove the gear selector lever back and hold
it there until the numeral for the current
gear disappears from the multifunction
display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly into drive position D.
Shifting into optimal gear range
XPull and hold left gearshift control :.
or
XMove the gear selector lever forward and
hold it there.
The 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
Manual program mode M differs with regard
to spontaneity, response time, and shifting
smoothness from automatic program modes
S or 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.
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Program mode selector dial
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingS+ Sport PlusFor sporty driving with
shorter shift times
M ManualFor manual gearshiftingRS RACE STARTFor optimum
acceleration from a
standing start
iProgram mode RS cannot be selected
while driving. For more information, see
“RACE START” (Y page 292).
iIn addition, the currently selected
program mode is indicated in red on the
program mode selector dial.
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display (Y page 267).
For information on automatic program mode
(C, S, or S+), see “Automatic shift program”
(Y page 267) and “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 267).
Activating manual shift program
XTurn the program mode selector dial until
M appears in the multifunction display. In
addition, M is indicated in red on the
program mode selector dial.
The 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.
iManual program mode M will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with
manual program mode M selected, the
transmission will go to automatic program
mode C when the engine is restarted.
Upshifting
! In manual program mode M, the
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.
XMove the gear selector lever back briefly
(Y page 263).
or
XBriefly pull right gearshift control ;
(Y page 267).
The transmission shifts into the next higher
gear.
Upshift indicator
In manual program mode M, the upshift
indicator in the multifunction display advises
you to upshift before the engine reaches the
overspeed range. Thus you can drive at the
maximum engine speed for each gear without
overrevving the engine.
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The white segments : and the yellow
segment ; come on in succession from left
to right.
The optimal moment to upshift is reached
when the red segments = come on and the
message up appears in the multifunction
display:
XShift the transmission from current gear
into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting
GWarning!
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.
XMove the gear selector lever forward briefly
(Y page 263).
or
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :
(Y page 267).
The transmission shifts into the next lower
gear.
iWhen you brake or stop, the 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
XTurn the program mode selector dial until
C or S appears in the multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The transmission will go to automatic
program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored.
AMG button (SETUP)
You can select a preset driving program
(SETUP) and store it using the AMG button.
XStoring: Press and hold AMG button :
until an acoustic signal sounds.
XSelecting: Press AMG button :.
The selected driving program is selected.
XDisplaying: Press AMG button : briefly.
In the multifunction display, the SETUP
appears in the AMG menu (Y page 288).
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely
operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear R can be selected.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XShift the transmission into park position P.XTurn off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the transmission into drive position
D (for second gear) or reverse gear R.
XHave the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
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Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.XTurn the program mode selector dial
clockwise ( Y page 267) until the RS lamp
on the dial comes on.
The message RACE START Confirm:
Paddle UP Cancel: Paddle DOWN
appears in the multifunction display.
i When the activation conditions are not
fulfilled anymore, RACE START is canceled.
The message RACE START Canceled
appears in the multifunction display.
XTo cancel: Pull left steering wheel gearshift
control ( Y page 267).
or
XTo confirm: Pull right steering wheel
gearshift control ( Y page 267).
The message RACE START Available
Depress gas pedal. appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The message RACE START Not
Possible See Operator’s Manual
appears in the multifunction display.
XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed increases.
The message RACE START Release
brake to start appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The message RACE START
Canceled appears in the multifunction
display.
XTake your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The message RACE START Active appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START deactivates at a vehicle speed
of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). The transmission
switches to program mode S+. ESC SPORT
remains switched on.
RACE START is canceled immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal while RACE
START is active or when the activation
conditions are not fulfilled anymore. The
message RACE START Not Possible See
Operator’s Manual appears in the
multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a
certain distance.
Hill-start assist system
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the electronic parking brake
in addition to shifting the transmission into
park position P.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the transmission into drive position
D or reverse gear R.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the transmission in neutral position N
R with the electronic parking brake engaged
R if the ESC has switched off due to a
malfunction
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Rolling code programming
To train a garage door opener (or other rolling
code devices) with the rolling code feature,
follow these instructions after completing the
“Programming” portion (steps 1 through 6) of
this text. For your convenience and to
complete the procedure faster, you might
want to have someone assist you.XStep 8: Locate the “training” button on the
garage door opener motor head unit.
i Exact location and color of the button may
vary by garage door opener brand.
Depending on manufacturer, the “training”
button may also be referred to as “learn” or
“smart” button. If there is difficulty locating
the transmitting button, refer to the garage
door opener Operator’s Manual.
XStep 9: Press the “training” button on the
garage door opener motor head unit.
The “training light” is activated.
You have 30 seconds to initiate the
following two steps.XStep 10: Return to the vehicle and firmly
press, hold for 2 seconds and release the
programmed signal transmitter button ( ;,
= or ?).XStep 11: Press, hold for 2 seconds and
release same signal transmitter button a
second time to complete the training
process.
i Some garage door openers (or other
rolling code equipped devices) may require
you to press, hold for 2 seconds and
release the same signal transmitter button
a third time to complete the training
process.
XStep 12: Confirm the garage door
operation by pressing the programmed
signal transmitter button ( ;, = or ?).XStep 13: To program the remaining two
signal transmitter buttons, repeat the steps
above starting with step 3.Gate operator/Canadian programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission which
may not be long enough for the integrated
signal transmitter to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian law,
some U.S. gate operators are designed to
“time-out” in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or if you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
(regardless of where you live) by using the
programming procedures, replace step 4 with
the following:XStep 4: Press and hold the signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?). Do not
release this button until it has been
successfully trained.XWhile still holding down the signal
transmitter button ( ;, = or ?), “cycle”
your hand-held remote control button B
as follows: Press and hold button B for
2 seconds, then release it for 2 seconds,
and again press and hold it for 2 seconds.
Repeat this sequence on the hand-held
remote control until the frequency signal
has been learned.
Upon successful training, indicator
lamp : will flash slowly and then rapidly
after several seconds.XProceed with programming step 5 and
step 6 to complete.
i Upon completion of programming the
integrated remote control, make sure you
retain the hand-held remote control that
came with the garage door opener, gate
operator or other device. You may need it
for use in other vehicles, for future
programming of an integrated remote
control, or simply for continued use as a
hand-held remote control to operate the
respective device in other situations.
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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 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 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 Shift gears in a timely manner.
R Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
R Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down by
shifting to a lower gear using the gear
selector lever.
R Select gear ranges 3, 2 or 1 (Y page 266)
only when driving at moderate speeds (for
hill driving).
R Select C as the preferred shift program
( Y page 267) for the first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) you may
gradually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.
All of the above instructions also apply when
driving the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after
the engine or the transmission has been
replaced.
i Always obey applicable speed limits.
At the gas station
Refueling
GWarning!
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.
GWarning!
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
fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
switch on the ignition. Otherwise the
incorrect or non-approved fuel will get into
the fuel lines. The fuel system must be
drained completely. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the fuel
system drained completely.
320At the gas stationOperation
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsF
(USA only) !
(Canada only)
Parking Brake See
Oper. ManualIn addition, the yellow warning lamp for the electronic parking
brake comes on. The red indicator lamp for the electronic parking
brake may also come on.
The electronic parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:XPull handle of electronic parking brake.
or
XDrive off carefully.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
To engage:
XSwitch off the ignitionXPress handle for electronic parking brake for at least 10 seconds
until the warning message in the multifunction display
disappears.
If the warning message does not disappear:
XShift the transmission to park position P (Y page 263).XProtect vehicle from rolling away while parked by using the
collapsible wheel chock from the vehicle tool kit ( Y page 362).XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.F
(USA only) !
(Canada only)
Parking Brake See
Oper. ManualIn addition, the red indicator lamp for the electronic parking brake
flashes.
The power supply for the electronic parking brake was interrupted.XPull handle of electronic parking brake.
or
XDrive off carefully.
or
XPress handle for electronic parking brake until the warning
message in the multifunction display disappears.374Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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