2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK250 automatic transmission

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Vehicles for USA (excep tAMG
vehicles): fully depress the accelerator
pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Vehicles for Canada and AMG vehicles:
depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
automatic transmission into park position P.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could resul tinanaccident and/or serious
personal injury. Program selecto
rbutton
General information The progra
mselecto rbutton allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics. Example: program selector button
In AMG vehicles, drive program
Eis called
drive program C. E
Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 143).
Only change from automatic drive program
E or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0002
repeatedly until the lette rfor the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
i When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
i AMG vehicles: when in drive program C
and with a small load demand, e.g. in city
traffic or on a country road, the engine will
automatically only operate with four
cylinders. This reduces fuel consumption.
Cylinder shut-of fis inactive in drive
programs Sand M, so that the engine will
operate with all eight cylinders. Steering wheel paddle shifters
0002
Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
0003 Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter 142
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 143).
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheelp addle shifters
or the selecto rlever (Y page 144).
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D.Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterized by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner .This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in
position
D, it is possible to restrict or
derestrict the shift range (Y page 143).
The shift range selected is shown in the
multifunction display. The automatic
transmission shifts only as far as the selected
gear. Shift range
0008
You can use the engine's braking
effect.
000B
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 000F
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Restricting the shift range
X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up in order to prevent the engine Automatic transmission
143Driving and parking Z

from overrevving, even if the shift range is
restricted.
Derestricting the shift range X
Briefly press the selector leve rto the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steerin gwheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Press and hold the selector lever towards
D+ until Dis shown once more in the
multifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter until Dis shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on the manual drive program Manual drive program
Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes. Manual drive program
Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gears using the steering wheel paddle
shifters or the selector lever in manual drive
program Mif the transmission is in position
D.T he gear selected is shown in the
multifunction display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 142) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 142).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Vehicles with AMG engines
! In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the AMG
menu of the multifunction display. 144
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

0002
Gear indicator
0003 Upshif tindicator
X Shift up a gear if the color in the
multifunctio ndisplay in the speedometer
changes to red and the UP display message
is shown.
Downshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel paddle
shifter (Y page 142).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
i For maximum acceleration, push the
selector lever to the left or pull and hold the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter until
the transmission shifts to the optimal gear
for the current speed.
Kickdown i
Vehicles with an AMG engine: it is not
possible to use kickdown in manual drive
program M. You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Vehicles for USA: fully depress the
accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Vehicles for Canada: depress the
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure
point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Switching off the manuald rive program X
Press the progra mselecto rbutton
(Y page 142) repeatedly until E(C in AMG
vehicles) or Sappears in the multifunction
display. Automatic transmission
145Driving and parking Z

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G
Risk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock immediately
and remove it (Y page 131).
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap cannot be unlocked using the button on the
SmartKey.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 70).The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. Do not park the vehicle on
dry grassland or harvested grain fields. These
materials could be ignited by the hot exhaust
system and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement can cause serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do
the following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R keep your right foot on the brake pedal.
R engage the parking brake.
R shift the manual transmission to firstgear
or reverse gear R.
R shift the automatic transmission to park
position P. R
slowly release the brake pedal.
R when parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 0and remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
R take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. G
WARNING
Manual transmission: Wait until the vehicle is
stationary before removing the SmartKey
from the starter switch. The vehicle cannot be
steered when the SmartKey is removed from
the starter switch. Parking
149Driving and parking Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
Using the SmartKey
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
i The SmartKey can only be removed if the
transmission is in position P.
Using KEYLESS-GO
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 131).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrumen tcluster go out.
i When the driver's door is closed, this
corresponds to SmartKey position 1.When
the driver's door is open, it corresponds to
SmartKey position 0or "SmartKey
removed".
If you attempt to switch off the engine while
the selector lever is in a position other than
P, a message appears in the multifunction
display and you hear a tone. Electric parking brake
General information i
The electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. Applying/releasing manually
X
To apply: press handle 0002.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: switch on the ignition.
X Pull handle 0002.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake cannot be
released unless the SmartKey is in position
1 in the ignition lock or if the ignition has 150
ParkingDriving and parking

been switched on using the Start/Stop
button.
Applying automatically Your vehicle's electric parking brake is
applied automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS
(vehicles with automatic transmission only)
or the HOLD function stops your vehicle or is
keeping your vehicle stationary. In addition,
at least one of the following conditions must
be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
Releasing automatically i
The electric parking brake can only be
released automatically on vehicles with
automatic transmission.
Your vehicle's electric parking brake is
automatically released if all of the following
conditions are met:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the seat belt has been fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the trunk
lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parkin gbrake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of position Por you
have previously drive nfaster than 2mph
(3km/h). Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
X
While driving, push handle 0002of the electric
parking brake (Y page 150).
i The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Please Release Parking Brake message appears.
R the red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking the vehicle for
along period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharge.
X Connect a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Parking
151Driving and parking Z

important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will lead to high wear. You can obtain further
information about this fro myour authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning can
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment. This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes trapped in snow,
ensure that snow is kept away from the
exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as
long as the engine is running. Otherwise,
poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter
the vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness
and even death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 296).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 296).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle Driving tips
155Driving and parking
Z