ER1

Is it really so that you cannot change the air suspension settings and gearbox settings independently? So you cannot have for example the suspension in comfort mode and the gearbox in sport?

At least you could do this in the CLS55 AMG that I had. I always had the suspension in comfort and the gearbox in sport, but is it correct that this is not possible in the S-class? Not even the facelift 2011-2012+ S-class?

Johnboyps

Does anyone know if there is a way to keep the car in "S" mode all the time? It always defaults back to the "C" when the car is turned off. My old W220 uses to stay in sport mode.

Diesel Benz

The pre-facelift W221 has a common button/setting for the transmission and the suspension modes. The facelift W221 has again separate buttons for the two, like older MB models did.

1st Benz

Wow, you can learn a lot on the MB Forums... I was told by a mechanic that (S) was for SOFT ride & (C) was for CUSTOM that is to say, a sportier ride! Now I find out it's jut the opposite. I guess I'd better read that manual after all!

starstylers01

sounds like he really knew his stuff

dustinN

For the '07 E63 AMG, can you tell the differences between S mode, Sport 1 and Sport 2 mode? I use S mode for daily driving but I am not sure when to use Sport 1 or Sport 2. Thanks.

Windshield Time

My '13 S550 will stay in sport suspension mode, however the transmission always reverts back to "E" after shutting off the engine.

Windshield Time

Btw part of trouble I'm having is I am working with a 2010 manual until the correct set comes in.

RichM

http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...ual/2013_S.pdf

Windshield Time

You're a good man, Rich. Thanks for the link.

btesar

In the event that someone is not aware, there are 2 different Comfort vs Sport settings and should be referred to as such.

1) Airmatic - Comfort vs Sport - This is changed by pressing the button between the instrument cluster and the center screen. This changes the suspension only. Whatever setting you are in, it will remain in when you turn the car off and back on.

2) Transmission - Comfort vs Sport - This is changed by pressing the button in the center console between the front seats. This only affects the transmission and shift points. If you select sport, when you turn the car off, it defaults back to comfort.

DaveW68

This is incorrect. The top button between the screens raises the car about 1 inch when activated. This is useful if you're driving in heavy snow or your car needs to be towed and you need more clearance. It has nothing to do with the firmness of the suspension.


The C/S button on the in front of the armrest affects both the shift behavior and suspension settings. When in "C", the ride is less jostling over bumps providing a softer ride and the car starts in 2nd gear. In "S", the car will start in 1st gear from a complete stop and the suspension is firmed up.

btesar

Dave - The 2012 manual seems to indicate otherwise:

p344
The Adaptive Damping System (ADS) automatically controls the calibration of the dampers and springs.
The damping is tuned individually to each wheel and depends on:
- your driving style, e.g. sporty
- the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
- your individual selection, i.e. sports or comfort
Your selection remains stored even if you remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.

Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode ensures even better contact with the road. Select this mode when employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country roads. The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in the multifunction display.

Comfort tuning
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select this mode if you prefer a more comfortable driving style, but also when driving fast on straight roads, e.g. highways. The AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears in the multifunction display.

p314
Transmission: Automatic drive program
Drive program E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
- the vehicle pulling away more gently in forward and reverse gears, unless the accelerator pedal is depressed fully
- increased sensitivity. This improves driving stability on slippery road surfaces, for example
- the automatic transmission shifting up sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels being less likely to spin

Drive program S is characterized by the following:
- sporty engine settings the vehicle pulling away in first gear
- the automatic transmission shifting up later
- the fuel consumption possibly being higher as a result of the later automatic transmission shift points

Bill-W221

Dave is correct in that there is a button between the screens that raises the car about 1/2 inch when activated. But there is also the Comfort/Sport button beneath it for the Airmatic adjustment.

btesar

Dave is correct about that button, but this thread is not talking about the height adjustment for higher clearance. It's about how the suspension and transmission function in Comfort or Sport (Airmatic) vs Economy/Controlled Efficiency vs Sport for transmission. It seems as though there is a lot of confusion and speculation when it is clearly defined in the manual what each does.

DaveW68

Would you mind taking a picture of the buttons and Comand screens in question...then post them here?

btesar

These are the 2 buttons people keep talking about:
First is Suspension control
Second is transmission control

Larry1979

I think the misunderstanding on this thread regarding the buttons is a common one. On pre-facelift cars, there is only one button which controls the transmission and suspension setting. On facelift models (2010-2013), there are separate buttons for the transmission setting and the suspension setting regardless of whether the car has ABC or Airmatic suspension. The suspension setting button is below the button that raises and lowers the car on facelift models. This means you can drive with the transmission on Sport while the Airmatic/ABC suspension is still in Comfort mode or vice-versa. I drive in Sport most of the time while leaving my suspension in Comfort. Sometimes I put both in Sport mode.

btesar

Larry - Great point. I have driven the pre-face lift and never noticed, but there is a difference between the pre-facelift and post-facelift interfaces. My previous comments fall under the 2010 and later. The challenges of a mid cycle change to the cars systems when it comes to these forums.

Nuru

Hmm, I have not tried Sport mode as of yet. I guess I should try it out and see how the car behaves

lwain56

The "S" button makes the diesel S350 an animal!

MFleg

I use the sport mode continuously and among other things it disconnects the engine shutoff feature at idle. I found this annoying because ever time that I was waiting at a traffic light there would be a noticeable shudder coming from either the transmission or the rear end. Going from economy to sport deactivates this plus starts the car in D1 rather than D2.
When I bought the car it was set in both comfort modes and the car felt sluggish off the line. Since I am 48,not 68 I prefer a more aggressive feel and response from a car. Putting both controls in the sport mode gives the car a sharper edge to it.
I wish there was a warranty safe way to increase the speed limiter from 127mph to the Euro spec 155 mph.
The car has W rated Pirelli P Zero tires with a design limit of 168 mph. Why are the American cars limited to 127 mph?
My only guess is that some uneducated or uninformed US driver would put H or V rated tires on the car to save a buck or two. Considering the deplorable condition of tires on u.s. cars , not to mention The Walmart blue light speciak quality of some replacement tires , this would be my only guess. As these cars age and some buyers who are buried in payments look to save a buck or two, it wouldnt surprise me to see an older S class equipped with Kumho or some other cut rate tires on them. Lets face it, there are plenty of people who lease or finance a Mercedes but cannot afford the upkeep and things start to slide. Many US drivers know that tires come in black but know little else.
I am open to another explanation.

$100 GUY

Yeah, little difference.

Oneworld

Is gas mileage effected?

GPrime2

There's something here that I haven't seen mentioned so I'll chime in with it. You can basically use sport mode to set your "wild driving" throttle and transmission adaptation settings, and comfort for your normal ones, if you're going to be driving the car hard at all. If you do the adaptation reset procedure (key on, hold accel for 5 seconds, key off while still holding accel, remove foot from accel, wait 2min, start car) then you'll get about 40-50 shifts in each mode for the car to learn how you drive in that mode.

I've done that with mine and in comfort I have to beg her to go above 2500 RPM, in sport mode she hangs around 4-5k when I let off just waiting for the throttle. I'm not sure why everyone seems to think these things are limited to being boring highway cruisers, they're absolute animals on the road, especially considering their weight.