genius

What is the button w s near the shifter for in a 2003 c240?

danev6972

Program mode selector switch.
Standard operation
Winter operation

Look in your operator's manual...there's a bunch of info in there.

WaveyKat

S= Start off in First Gear!
W= Start off in Second Gear!

genius

when i bought the car a month ago, i didn't get a manual with it. i tryed to go the the dealer again andhe said that he doesnt have one fo it.

what else important things should i know about the button?

thanks for the info

danev6972

Here's what the manual says:
__________________________________________________ _______________
Never change the program mode when the selector lever is out of position P. It could result in a change of driving characteristics for which you may not be prepared.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Select W for winter driving:

:: The vehicle starts out in the second gear(both forward and reverse) for gentler starts. This does not apply if full throttle is applied or gear range 1 is selected.

:: Traction and driving stability are improved on icy roads.

:: Upshifts occur earlier when you give more gas. The engine then operates at lower rpms and the wheels are less likely to spin

:: The power transmission ratio for selector lever position R changes depending on the program mode selected(W or S).

danev6972

Here buy it on ebay!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCEDES-BENZ-C-CLASS-SEDAN-2003-OWNERS-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ160289442761QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em160289442761&_trkparms=72%3A727|39%3A1|65%3A12|2 40%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

genius

thanks a whole lot for the info. its good to know.

Did you ever drive your car in the winter?
also did you use the W?
did u like it?

what your opinion?

thanks

danev6972

Never left Florida with it.

mleskovar

I just learned this on the forum: When in W you get hill hold so the car won't roll backwards when you shift your foot from the brake to the accelerator.

yeuchau

that's right, it's very useful feature sometimes

Glyn M Ruck

Interesting. I did not know that. Never had my car out of S - Thanks

Saprissa

LOL... I almost always keep it on "S" too.
It barely rains in California, and when it does, I only use "W" (2003) or "C" (2004) when I remember that the function is even there.

Check out this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=262004 - Hill Holder?

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Glyn M Ruck

My late 2003 has "S" & "C" - but it is a bit of a crossover car just pre facelift in South Africa

Saprissa

I'm sure I'll be using "W" and "C" more often when I move to Germany.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Glyn M Ruck

Carlos,
When I look at your location it looks like you move around like I used to in my old global job.

At one time I had a house in Cape Town, a townhouse in Johannesburg, an apartment in Sydney, Australia, an apartment in Larkspur, Marin County, CA and still travelled over 200 days a year globally - much of it in Asia, Latin America & Europe, Eastern Europe.

Is this your kind of lifestyle?

Glocker

It's better driving the car on S mode-- sport mode, faster.

Saprissa

yeah, pretty much ! All of 2006 I spent in Cuba, of all places... amazingly there was a C-Coupe there to make me smile !

Just this past year alone, I've gone to Singapore, Australia, Bangladesh and Djibouti just to name a few...

oh yeah, the whole month of August, I was in Panama.

I'll be in California for another 2 months, and then I'll be in Germany for a long while.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
globe-trotter who loves MB

Glyn M Ruck

Yes, I understand - if it's Tuesday it must be Belgium! I've never been to Cuba - done the others. Something about Cuba interests me??? Could I ever make it a holiday destination now that I'm semi retired?

Trust you will stay on the forum from Germany - Yes!!?

One thing I would love to do one day is attend one of your California meets. They sound like fun. I'm off to my favourite Thailand next month for a break.

Saprissa

interesting thing about Cuba, is that it is a novelty for Americans because it is forbidden. And yes the beaches are beautiful, just like anywhere else in the Caribbean. But here's the kicker: you go once, and you never want to go back. Customer Service is horrible. Their sense of tourism is all wrong.
They do not know how to cater to demanding tourists, and most will never get their business again. If you want to back-pack and travel the countryside, then yes. But don't fall into the tourist trap in Cuba, until well after real business practice and business sense kicks in after a few decades.

I will definitely be on the forums from Germany. It's more like an addiction.

You should make it to California for NOV 15th ! Maybe not as exciting as Thailand (I love Phuket and Pattayah), but it will be my last Mercedes-Benz meet in Southern California for a while.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Glyn M Ruck

Alas - the Thailand arrangements are too far down the road to change. Getting together with good Thai friends and some business colleagues from Asia and Aus in what's become a bit of a reunion. I could happily live in Thailand and might some day. Love the people. A lot of South Africans have moved there. A friend & his wife have just built a lodge on one of the islands.

Maybe we will meet at a future get together in the US - both on a fly in basis.

ric_c320

I never use My car out of "W"... I learn like 5 mins algo.. That.. The " S" was more like sport... I live in DR... And as I said... I never use out of "W'

neurodave

I began using W today, and it shifts a lot smoother and seems to get on the power better, so I may stick with it from now on. Winter is around the corner anyway, and it's raining today. Let's see what happens...

cvx

S in summer and winter. The car is most of the time useless in winter when using W+ESP so I'm going with S & ESP = off