i'm taking my parents' SL55 to the track this weekend. The problem is, i've never owned an auto tranny in my life. It does have the manual mode with the buttons on the wheel, but i don't know if those are very effective. I'm sure there are tricks and nuances to driving a slushbox fast, so if you have any tips please let me know.

Thanks,
Steve

 

I dunno, but I think you should take the GT2 instead.

 

stepdad's gonna be in the GT2. i'm hoping it scares him enough that i get to drive it for the rest of the day I still think i should be able to get faster times than him cuz i'm a much better driver. The SL55 is no slouch either, i just need to know how to keep the tranny workin for me.

-Steve

 

well the verdict is in...AUTOS SUCK!!!!!!!!!

 

Is that thing even broken in yet?? for pimpin the SL55. It's such a gorgeous ride.

 

I see your location's in MD, but it's just too big a coincidence: was it you guys at the Speed Ventures Streets of Willow Springs event on 6/6? It was kinda hard to miss that $300K pair of cars there that day...

 

yup, that was me and my stepdad. my parents live out here and i'm here for a few more weeks....

 

the SL's automatic is one of the best slush box's in that it has the manual mode with a +/- sequential stick action. Drive like a sequential manual race transmission. actually its a little different:

first select performance transmission mode if available.

upshifts: manually shift at redline. experiment with slight lift to coax into gear faster, otherwise keep floored.

downshifts: manually shift. take advantage of no clutch pedal and left foot brake everywhere. if not comfortable left foot braking then right foot brake and blip with heel and toe EXACTLY as in a manual when selecting lower gear. i believe you may be able to skip shift down 2 or more gears by whacking shifter 2 or more times with one big blip...try it.

remember to defeat traction control every time you light up the engine.

i'll try to bring the slightly modded SC430 and we can swap cars.....ask the 6 S2K's i took up Yerba Buena/Sycamore Caynon in Malibu last Sunday how its done for corraboration!!