SL/R231: Location Of Ignition Key
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W212 FL
Location Of Ignition Key
Normally, I don't watch that program called Fifth Gear but during tv commercials I sneaked it up and saw some bloke drove R231 SL350 ,being UK based program it was SL350 and RHD .I decided to take a look until test drive finishes off
What tickled my interest was he complaint about location of the ignition key , he demonstrated that you can accidentally turn off your engine by rubbing your knees against the key
and he did it He said that car shifts into N when this happens and starts up the engine and get into D and drive it must be annoying
I said , why bother just order the car with KEYLESS GO option lol
So ,do you really think this might happen in your daily driving if you use your key instead of button ?
What tickled my interest was he complaint about location of the ignition key , he demonstrated that you can accidentally turn off your engine by rubbing your knees against the key
and he did it He said that car shifts into N when this happens and starts up the engine and get into D and drive it must be annoying I said , why bother just order the car with KEYLESS GO option lol
So ,do you really think this might happen in your daily driving if you use your key instead of button ?
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
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From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
I saw that show as well before buying my SL. Since I don't use the key I can't say that I thought about it since buying it. What I do think is not very ergonomic is the placement of the parking brake. If you think about it you have to use both hands to put the car in park, turn off the ignition and put on the parking brake. I never realized prior to this car that I kept my left hand on the steering wheel and turned everything off and set the brake with my right hand. Minor thing, but still could have been better designed. At least I have started just pressing P instead of putting the car in neutral and then pressing P which I did when I first got the car. All that to say the ergonomics of the car are good, but they could be better.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I saw that show as well before buying my SL. Since I don't use the key I can't say that I thought about it since buying it. What I do think is not very ergonomic is the placement of the parking brake. If you think about it you have to use both hands to put the car in park, turn off the ignition and put on the parking brake. I never realized prior to this car that I kept my left hand on the steering wheel and turned everything off and set the brake with my right hand. Minor thing, but still could have been better designed. At least I have started just pressing P instead of putting the car in neutral and then pressing P which I did when I first got the car. All that to say the ergonomics of the car are good, but they could be better.
As with the park button on the lever, I personally like that. What I don't care for is that the car doesn't switch to P in certain situations (like BMW's do). For example, opening the door without the seatbelt on while in Drive or turning off the car while in Drive. BMW will automatically go into P.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
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From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
Parking brake? I haven't used the actual parking brake for a decade or so. Just press P and that's it. That said, I don't even know how to activate the parking brake on the SL. Need to check the manual
As with the park button on the lever, I personally like that. What I don't care for is that the car doesn't switch to P in certain situations (like BMW's do). For example, opening the door without the seatbelt on while in Drive or turning off the car while in Drive. BMW will automatically go into P.
As with the park button on the lever, I personally like that. What I don't care for is that the car doesn't switch to P in certain situations (like BMW's do). For example, opening the door without the seatbelt on while in Drive or turning off the car while in Drive. BMW will automatically go into P.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,537
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Last time I used a parking brake was when living in Switzerland...I just checked and there it was.
