I need to know how the 2002 C320 transmission works. Is it tip-tronic? Does it have manual, standard, and comfort mode's? How do you shift gears? I'm asking because I assume the 2006 models are different.

Thanks

Mark4

 

Firstly, "tip-tronic" is a copyrighted trademark for the VW group [Porsche, Audi, VW]. Somehow this has become, like kleenex, a generic term for manual control of an otherwise conventional automatic.

Yes, the 5-spd automatic, which was introduced in our market in the late '90s, features manual control. When the shift lever is in drive, you move it from one side to the other for upshifts and downshifts. I use it a lot on our C240, and it works well within the limits of the software - it won't allow you to exceed redline, but otherwise does downshift pretty much instantly on demand. Upshifts are sometimes delayed depending on how hard your foot is in the throttle at the time you call for the upshift. It is exactly the same as the trans in the car listed in your signature - your car has a beefier torque converter to handle the extra oomph, but the transmission's logic and operation should be exactly the same as your CLK.

There are only two "modes", "winter" and "summer", the former allowing the car to start in second gear to reduce wheel spin and generating earlier upshifts for the same reason.

The new 7-spd uses essentially the same technology, spread across a wider span of ratios, but features the additional capability of skipping speeds both on the way up and the way down - it will upshift or downshift 2 or 3 gears at a time if that's what's necessary.

 

Thanks for the information! My mom has the 2002 C-320 and has been driving the car a times in 1st gear without know whats happening. I knew it was similar to my car, now a 2005 CL55, but was not positive. And forgot about the summer, winter function. This will help her allot.

Thanks again!

Mark

 

No problemo...always happy to help...