Gearshift options

On the five speed auto fitted to SLs is there an gearshift pattern which allows you to spin the engine right up to redline?

If you choose the gears manually, then you should be able to hit the redline.

the SL 500 is a good Benz if it's a 5-Speed manual, and are you talking about hitting the redline with a manual transmission and shifting?

I don't mean to say that if you're in fifth about to hit redline and then shift down to fourth will you redline. I'm talking about if you are in any gear and just accelerate is there a shifting pattern which will allow you to hit redline before it automatically upshifts to the next higher gear.

Thats what I meant, you will need to shift out of D
Say if you choose the 3rd gear, then the transmission will only switch between 1,2 and 3.
From a standstill, the car will start with 1st gear, then 2nd then 3rd, when its get to the redline, it won't shift to 4th, it'll hold in 3rd gear.

Ok thanks for explaining that :cheers:

OK. Well it looks like you all dont have a clue what you are talking about. The transmissions in SL's are set up to shift before redline. The only way you can over-ride the syatem is to have the dealer to set a fault code in the control unit. Then the transmission will go to redline.

I work at Mercedes Bnez in North Vancouver Canada. I currently own a few Mercedes as well. Along with my 944. I have a SL55, C43 With RPI bodykit and rims, and a Brabus 190E. All great cars.

O and if anyone is intrested in doing a auto to manual conversion on a merc let me know:)

Last I've checked there is no flash for the etc to allow for redline shift. I highly doubt mercedes would alloy any program. Be aware of aftermarket programs also MB will VOID your Warrenty if they find one... Even if the trans is shifted man. w/ the selector lever it will shift before redline. The only time i've had one redline was with accelerator all the way to the floor.

There is no flash in the ecu. But when you hook up the diagnostic computer to the car you can pull up info on the transmission. If you set of the proper fault code you can trick the transmission in a sense. Makeing it think that it does not have to shift up. I discouvered this when i was working on a 1998 SL500. Not a good idea to do but its doable.

OK. Well it looks like you all dont have a clue what you are talking about. The transmissions in SL's are set up to shift before redline.

Thats what I had always thought, but wasn't sure so I just asked. And seeing as you work for MB and have an SL55 i'll take your word for it:cheers:

Sorry I was wrong you can redline if you shift using the touchshift(move shifter to right for down shif and left for up shift). Tried it on the c240 I drove home lastnight. Feels stupid when it shifts though because your stil shifting an auto trans manualy.