SL/R231: Park (P) Selector button problem
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I thought pushing the P button puts the transmission in Park. I have a separate handle to the left of the steering wheel under the dash that sets the parking brake on the rear wheels.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I have always used the lever under the dash as the parking brake release.
Now you have me confused!😊
Now you have me confused!😊
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Feb 9, 2022 at 09:32 PM.
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2013 SL550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
If the “P” button locks the transmission and the lever under the dash locks the rear wheel brakes under what conditions might someone need to use both?
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Feb 9, 2022 at 10:11 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Almost all vehicles with an automatic transmission have a Park setting and a parking brake. I was taught when you park, especially on a hill, it is best to firmly set the parking brake before putting the transmission in Park. This will prevent the transmission getting locked in Park as the vehicle will move and potentially lock the park paul(sp?) unless the parking brake is set.
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
No, The parking brake does not automatically apply when the engine is turned off. You either have to press the button or open the door for the parking brake to apply. It’s a really stupid set up. You can turn the engine off and the SL will roll on a hilly street on it own. One does not turn the engine off and automatically open the door right away.
Last edited by rorywquin; Feb 10, 2022 at 01:30 AM. Reason: add image
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Almost all vehicles with an automatic transmission have a Park setting and a parking brake. I was taught when you park, especially on a hill, it is best to firmly set the parking brake before putting the transmission in Park. This will prevent the transmission getting locked in Park as the vehicle will move and potentially lock the park paul(sp?) unless the parking brake is set.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Last month I turned off my SL in the driveway and started looking at my phone to return a text and the car rolled into the garage door.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Feb 10, 2022 at 10:12 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
I just got off the phone with a local engraver. They can cut and engrave (P) onto a piece of sticky backed metal (could be chrome, satin finish etc.) to fit that area. They can also use a colored plastic material that, when engraved, will allow the light to illuminate the “P”. He said it would be around $20.00.
They make “skins” for a lot of the steering wheel buttons and other Mercedes buttons, but oddly, no PARK button that I can find….
like these:
Anyone own a Honda Accord they can go measure? 😀
that P button (at the top) looks pretty close
I think it may be more self inflicted by overzealous detailers or exposure to moisture/cleaners or other fluids. It always seem to be right at the outer edges of the P right where the bonding would break down from chemicals or fluids. I find myself rarely putting my finger on the P when I hit that button. It’s pretty wide.
Last edited by crconsulting; Feb 10, 2022 at 03:19 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 165
Likes: 33
From: Stockport UK
SL 350 R231
My Park (P) Selector button on the center console behind the shifter is worn and delaminating. Does anyone know if it's possible to replace the button/cover itself (the silver piece with the illuminated "P") or do I need to replace the whole button assembly or shifter assembly, etc. ? At this point it's merely aesthetic as the silver material around the "P" is peeling up but it looks like crap. I looked on ebay and haven't been able to find anything.
Anyone familiar with how this thing comes apart and how I go about replacing it? Thanks in advance.
Anyone familiar with how this thing comes apart and how I go about replacing it? Thanks in advance.
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Parking on a very steep hill, or the car being up on ramps on one end while I was working on it would make me do it to be safer.
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
I have always pushed the P after parking my SL and would never not do it. I did a test the other day after seeing this thread and the car did go into park when I opened the door with the trans still in drive. On regular car/transmissions I would switch any lever to park when parking so I don’t see what’s the difference in continuing that.
Seems to me if you started jumping out the car with the car in drive you could make a mistake if you every drove a traditional trans again and forgot to shift to park. I’ll just keep manually pushing the P, but to each his own.
Seems to me if you started jumping out the car with the car in drive you could make a mistake if you every drove a traditional trans again and forgot to shift to park. I’ll just keep manually pushing the P, but to each his own.
European builds must be different. On my ‘17 and ‘19 SL’s when you turn the engine off with your foot on the brake the car stays in neutral and will roll if you take your foot off the brake. One has to manually push the “P” button or open the door for the transmission to go into park. The set up is stupid.
Last month I turned off my SL in the driveway and started looking at my phone to return a text and the car rolled into the garage door.
Last month I turned off my SL in the driveway and started looking at my phone to return a text and the car rolled into the garage door.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 9
From: Gulf Shores AL
2013 SL550
Peeling "P" Button
- My 2013 also had the peeling P button issue. I looked on ebay for a replacement in good condition, but found you have to buy the whole shifter assembly. The SL assemblies in good condition were around $300. More than I was willing to spend. I found a SLC assembly for $75 that looked identical. After buying it and taking it apart to determine how to make the switch, I found that the button will pop out without disassembling the whole shifter surround. I painters taped the lower edge of the shifter surround on my car to protect it and then used a box cutter blade to gently pry the button up and out. Popped the replacement in and was good to go. 5 minutes.
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 28
From: Hollywood, FL
2017 SL450 2022 GLC300
- My 2013 also had the peeling P button issue. I looked on ebay for a replacement in good condition, but found you have to buy the whole shifter assembly. The SL assemblies in good condition were around $300. More than I was willing to spend. I found a SLC assembly for $75 that looked identical. After buying it and taking it apart to determine how to make the switch, I found that the button will pop out without disassembling the whole shifter surround. I painters taped the lower edge of the shifter surround on my car to protect it and then used a box cutter blade to gently pry the button up and out. Popped the replacement in and was good to go. 5 minutes.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 9
From: Gulf Shores AL
2013 SL550
Yes. I bought another assembly just to get the button assuming that I would have to take mine apart. After getting the new one and studying it, I realized that the button will just pop out without the need of pulling out the shifter assembly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 131
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2014 sl550
Looks like someone is doing a stick on button and selling on ebay if anyone still needs this button.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37665436575...3ABFBM0ISAj8Vm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37665436575...3ABFBM0ISAj8Vm
