AMGPower88

So does it harm the engine when you change modes while driving? Or like when you stop at a redlight and you decide to change from C to S or M. Is it better to just change the mode once you start the engine at the beginning and leave it at that or does it not matter at all? Any input is appreciated, thanks.

OC6.3AMG

It doesn't harm the engine or the transmission, and it really doesn't matter.

jmueller

Doesn't matter at all.

Dogtag114

Do it all the time... just don't go to M by accident, crank the music, floor it and go into limp mode... been there. (just turn everything off, wait a moment, then restart).

-Marlin-

Just throwing it out there...

manual recommends that you are stopped when changing modes. I follow the manual, but that's me.

papashango

When you change modes all it really does is either downshifts or upshifts depending on the gear you're in. For example if you're going at 60km/h in C mode, the car is most likely at 5th or 6th gear and now if you it put it to S mode, it drops down a gear at that speed to the 4th or 5th gear. So basically if going from a slower to quicker mode it drops down a gear at the the speed you're driving on and if you're going from a faster to slower mode it upshifts one gear for that speed.

That's pretty much what I've noticed.

BrabusNYC

Dosnt matter. Put it in neutral if it makes you feel better.

Monky

The only thing I noticed is sometimes when in "C" doing a low speed and putting it into "S" it changes down to 1st and jolts the car quite heavily, I don't think it's great to downshift to 1st anyway, I don't do it a manual car for example when coming to traffic / stop lights I just go to 2nd and dip the clutch, don't think great in an auto unless going really slow but just my 2c

chris135b

Hi,


The 2014 C Class manual on page 157 states the following:

"Only change from automatic drive program C, S or S+ to manual drive program M when the vehicle is stationary."
You will definitely feel a "clunck" if you change to M while driving. Now, I only go to manual from C, S, S+ when stopped.


Happy ing


-C

benyl

If stopping was required, then they would have programmed it in so that the dial would become unresponsive while moving. It is just CYA in case the change in modes causes a shift in the transmission that upsets the car.

dchl21

I don't know how people can just answer because they think is good.








I only do it when car is stopped. in the c or the e. ive tried while driving...there is a little movement and I don't think its good over time.

OlegKouz

I have done that bro..music turns off and I am at 4000 rpm cruising

jmueller

The "movement" in the C63 is simply a downshift. If downshifting was bad for the car, you would have a very expensive product just sitting at the factory because it would never be able to be moved anywhere. In fact, while in C mode, pull the downshift paddle and then turn the setting dial (or press the button if Pre-FL) and the car won't even downshift. It will change from C3 (for example) to S3.

Hell, I think its safer to do it while rolling rather than when stopped. If I change from C to S or M while at a stop light, the car downshifts from 2 to 1 and wants to jump forward.

dchl21

well ya im sure it fine ... just some of you guys sound so sure and don't really have any prove while others are quoting the manual.

PanzerLehr

I will change it on the move but I make sure I'm not going to go to 1st on the move. Also, I try and make sure my foot is off the gas and I'm going in a straight line.
But 95% of the time I know how I plan on driving and make the change at startup. Easier and I'm a stickler for following the directions.

jmueller

The Manual also says don't break traffic laws. I try not to, but AMG gave me such a great motor. Anyways, I think that part of the manual was adde so people don't take their eyes off the road to switch modes; if it a engine management issue they would lock the feature out unless it was in park.

-Marlin-

By the same logic, how could you tell how fast you were going if you didn't take your eyes off the road to check your speedometer?

Not a good argument to justify why it's recommended to be stationary when making the mode change. I error on the side of caution to preserve my ride. That's why I quote the manual with my 2 cents to help the OP who probably wants to do the same.

Conv_GSDriver

Nice I was just thinking about this today.

Bardman

The text in the manual has to be about the safety risk rather than any potential mechanical risk. Think about it, you are just altering a software setting in the TCU, how could that possibly introduce a mechanical risk to the car? Experience with doing this tells me it simply changes you to the gear that you would have been if you had the new mode selected in the first place, so it just triggers a gear change. I can't see how that would be bad for the car.

jmueller

Correct. However the speedo is directly in front of you rather than off center and much less off center and at pelvis level. The COMAND system provides a warning on screen not to get distracted. The speedo does not.

Regardless, I'll be the first to agree the Manual says what to do; yet, mechanically it doesn't make sense to limit a buyer to only the mode the select when stationary. For example, when my car's oil is at 240 degrees I feel very nervous about keeping it in M mode and want to get it to C quick while air is moving over the radiator. This is my opinion, so as Marlin points out, take it for what it's worth.

AMGPower88

Thanks guys for all your input, I think I will just change modes while Im stopped, not while moving, it's just safer in the long run without increasing my risks of any danger..

AMG893

Guilty of this too

H20 MRV

When I am out on a run I change beteen setting quite a lot, though I don't do it a full bore, I just lift off if say I want to calm down and go from sport + to c, I never use the manual setting sad to say!!

Illegal Machine

I only change mine at WOT.

jmueller

Boss.