Dale Minton
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2008
- Messages
- 617
- Reaction score
- 8
- Your Mercedes
- SL55 AMG & BMW ALPINA B5 & ABARTH 595 Turismo
Hi all,
As some of you may well know the steering wheel gearshift paddles on an SL55 (2003 model) will only operate once the 'manual mode' is selected via the 3-way switch situated on the centre consul. I have other vehicles (a BMW Alpina B5 and Abarth 595) where the steering wheel buttons/paddles can be used at any time and once you've finished using manual mode the gearboxes simply default back into auto mode. Does anyone know of a way to modify the paddle-shift mechanism (electronically or otherwise) so one doesn't have to switch it into manual mode via the switch before one can get use of the paddles? I find the gear mode selection switch a real ballache as there are many times for convenience and/or driving situation when I just want to change gear quickly via the paddles without having to fumble first with that mode switch. I know one can knock the gearstick laterally as opposed to using the paddles (without mucking around with the switch) but there are driving situations when I want use of the paddles quickly with both hands on the wheel.
Many thanks
Dale
As some of you may well know the steering wheel gearshift paddles on an SL55 (2003 model) will only operate once the 'manual mode' is selected via the 3-way switch situated on the centre consul. I have other vehicles (a BMW Alpina B5 and Abarth 595) where the steering wheel buttons/paddles can be used at any time and once you've finished using manual mode the gearboxes simply default back into auto mode. Does anyone know of a way to modify the paddle-shift mechanism (electronically or otherwise) so one doesn't have to switch it into manual mode via the switch before one can get use of the paddles? I find the gear mode selection switch a real ballache as there are many times for convenience and/or driving situation when I just want to change gear quickly via the paddles without having to fumble first with that mode switch. I know one can knock the gearstick laterally as opposed to using the paddles (without mucking around with the switch) but there are driving situations when I want use of the paddles quickly with both hands on the wheel.
Many thanks
Dale