Pertplus

He was told/or read on some other forums, that with automatic transmissions, you shouldnt use the paddle shifters to downshift (or presumably downshift at all) because it screws up your transmission and engine, but instead should just brake when he needs to slow down. He has a 2007 E63 and I said that didnt sound right to me, but would post on this forum and see if there was a consensus opinion. Thoughts?

KLR CLS

Your partner should stick to his day job...

olszowa12

I do that ALL THE TIME.
I had my K1 clutch (gears 1-3) replaced under warranty at 80'000km. However, I'm not 100% sure that was the reason.

I am Jeff

Does your partner also tell you it's ok to put "regular" into your gas tank?

Pertplus

I see how I worded what he I wrote, and I meant to say that he asked me if that was correct and wasnt sure, and I said that didnt sound right at all

skoobz2001

I do it all the time too, but I seem to remember someone saying that an instructor at the AMG driving school said never to slow down this way - always use the brakes primarily...

With that being said, I don't care. Downshifting sounds too sweet not to do!

GHAZAN

Charge him 0.5 hours research time for that then .50 cents to print out the answers and 0.5 hours to fax it to his office.

Maverick1975

Your friend's comment is possibly the dumbest thing i have ever heard uttered about the C63

hawtheric1

That's kind of a harsh reply. Ouch!

I saw a previous post where someone commented that an AMG engr suggested you never do that. That in itself leads me to believe we need to investigate just a bit further before we start calling someones comments dumb.

Do you have knowledge that would support downshifting vs. braking as an OK option? And to simply say, "I do it all the time," won't cut it for me. it's not worth ruining the engine block or something else just to downshift. i've done it many times but until we get some concrete evidence that its an OK practice, I will cease with it.

Kindly
EH

Maverick1975

Maybe i was a bit harsh.

Aside friom the fact that thre throttle blipping function is designed precisely for this purpose, you listen to any promotional video on AMG website - the video on the SLS minisite comes immediatley to mind - and the downshifting engine braking features prominently, Note that my Mercedes instructor from my recent AMG drive day encouraged me to downshift the hell out of the car.

GBlansten

I now drive 90 percent in manual mode and downshift nonstop. I do loves me some throttle blipping.

Maverick1975

Ditto, i never drive any of my cars in anything but M mode!!

GBlansten

If it rains though I'll put it in C mode since I don't want to spin the rear tires.

hawtheric1

Now that's the kind of sharing of information i'm talking about

Many kind thanks for your reply.

rage2

I don't think the 2007 E63 has the rev matched downshifts, in which case there'd be definately more wear and tear.

GBlansten

Don't want me to downshift then TAKE THAT OPTION OUT OF MY AMG MERCEDES.

propain

No question its harder on the tranny.

Spend a good hour in M mode and then shut it off and get out and take a good wiff....

slowbra01

smells like victory?

MiamiAMG

He heard wrong.

mrobinso

Downshifting is an essential part of driving for "sport". That being said, the way I have always thought of it is: "What is easier/less costly to replace - brakes or differential/transmission?". Invariably, downshifting to slow the car or downshifting while enjoying spirited driving puts intense strain on the differential. Now, the differential in an AMG is designed to withstand a good beating for sure. However, I would put my money on the fact that those drivers who downshift very infrequently (myself) versus drivers who downshift constantly, will have their transmissions/diff. last much longer. That is not to say that downshifting will lead to differentials demise in a vehicle's lifetime. But for those who are conscious of a costly diff. replacement at 80,000 miles, it would definitely be safe to avoid downshifting, at least as a means of regularly slowing down the car. I am all for spirited downshifting when really "getting after it", but just not daily consistent downshifting.

propain

No question. Anyone blipping their car every day in M mode will find their tranny gone way before someone who doesn't.

You can have the best of both world driving in sport mode and anticipating traffic and letting the car downshift on its own and letting the engine do the job of slowing you down. Its not as fun and doesnt sound as good but it will save you a tranny after your warranty expires.

Every car except this Ive owned since 18 has been a manual so im used to letting the engine stop me and I wear my pads out very slowly.

C6G

This is how I drive all the time, with anticipation. The car slows down faster than any automatic Ive driven. Just had service B taken 17k
got at least %60 left on the pads

DuaneC63

If your coming to a full stop in normal street diving, just use the brakes, they are cheaper than tranny parts. (Same as in a manual tranny). The paddle shifters are to match revs (just like heal and toe on a manual tranny) when your working it hard. Let the brakes take the brunt of scrubbing off speed then down shift as the revs match to a lower gear to exit the turns. The car downshifts itself anyway with rev matching but not as far as you may like. Guy's tate seriously track their cars do not expect to get lots of milage out of clutches, sychros, clutch assemblies, pads, rotors, and tires.

IAA-C63

The car has an engine to make it go faster, and brakes to slow it down. Why not let each do its proper job? Using S-mode sounds like a reasonable compromise, since it at least lets the car control the downshifts.

_AMG_

The transmission will be fine. Its ok to use the paddles.
But abusing the transmission will cause more wear and tear, just common sense.