you worry too much.
Hitting Redline
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver
C230K-Sport Sedan
Hitting Redline
I recently bought a 2005 c230 sedan and its auto. I've noticed when that when I floor it, it gets really close to redline. I used to drive a mazda 3 and I could floor it for a while before it would even get close to redline. I've had a friend tell me its dangerous to take the car near redline, so I'm wondering if its actually possible to hit redline driving an automatic c230 without using triptronic or does the car automatically shift to the next gear. And if I am taking it close to redline, would be do any damage to the engine and could it void the warranty.
I'm kinda noob so don't flame me
I'm kinda noob so don't flame me
Last edited by C-Benzino; Jan 28, 2007 at 04:43 AM.
Trending Topics
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 4
From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
The redline is there for a reason. It is the upper limit, just like a speed limit sign on the highway. It's OK to take it up to that point but times spent any higher than that (RPM or speed) can get you into trouble. Now, go out and enjoy the revs.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
One of the main reasons of a redline is because of 'valve float' and thus can not extract any more power, in fact you actually loose power because you have decreased compression.
In case you all are asking what the heck is v-f here is a definition:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valve float is a condition which occurs when the valves on an internal combustion engine do not stay in contact with the camshaft lobe. Stiffer valve springs can help prevent this but only at the expense of increased friction losses.
Valve bounce is a related condition where the valve does not stay seated, due to the combined effects of the valve's inertia and resonance effects of metallic valve springs that effectively reduce the closing force, and allow the valve to re-open partially.
Various techniques have been used to offset the effect of stiffer springs, such as dual-spring and progressive-sprung valves, and pneumatic valves.
The motorcycle manufacturer Ducati uses the desmodromic (springless) valve system to counter this problem and allow for higher engine speeds. The system consists of a mechanical lifter mechanism that uses a second rocker arm to push the valve closed. Formula 1 engine manufacturers use a pneumatic system to close the valves to allow for very high engine speed without valve float.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: at the hojo
c240 and 69 cadi cdv conv
is it just my car or do all 01 C classes not have an autoshift feature, in triptronic gear my car won't shift automatically, it'll redline and not accelerate past a certain point.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok
C200K W203
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
ML63 AMG
You do not want to start going past the red line, so once your car hits it, it'll automatically shift to protect the engine. Of course with a manual you have to shift yourself, but you aren't suppose to go above that line ... well, that's why it's there and that's why they call it a red-line.
Don't know if the 2005+ C-Class has this, but BMW's have an indicator depending on how warm the engine is. Therefore, if it's a cold day it will show some markers on the RPM gauge showing you DO NOT GO ABOVE THIS YET. You need the car to warm up properly; then as the car warms up, those white markers disappear.
Tee_Tz.
Don't know if the 2005+ C-Class has this, but BMW's have an indicator depending on how warm the engine is. Therefore, if it's a cold day it will show some markers on the RPM gauge showing you DO NOT GO ABOVE THIS YET. You need the car to warm up properly; then as the car warms up, those white markers disappear.
Tee_Tz.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
MB
You do not want to start going past the red line, so once your car hits it, it'll automatically shift to protect the engine. Of course with a manual you have to shift yourself, but you aren't suppose to go above that line ... well, that's why it's there and that's why they call it a red-line.
Don't know if the 2005+ C-Class has this, but BMW's have an indicator depending on how warm the engine is. Therefore, if it's a cold day it will show some markers on the RPM gauge showing you DO NOT GO ABOVE THIS YET. You need the car to warm up properly; then as the car warms up, those white markers disappear.
Tee_Tz.
Don't know if the 2005+ C-Class has this, but BMW's have an indicator depending on how warm the engine is. Therefore, if it's a cold day it will show some markers on the RPM gauge showing you DO NOT GO ABOVE THIS YET. You need the car to warm up properly; then as the car warms up, those white markers disappear.
Tee_Tz.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,543
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
excites your girlfriend
1. the point of tiptronic mode is to shift manually. if you did not want to shift manually why would you put it into tiptronic mode in the first place?
2. on the 2005 c240, 2006 c280 that i've driven i think they both shifted up to the next gear if they hit redline even in manual mode, iirc
2. on the 2005 c240, 2006 c280 that i've driven i think they both shifted up to the next gear if they hit redline even in manual mode, iirc
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
MB
1. the point of tiptronic mode is to shift manually. if you did not want to shift manually why would you put it into tiptronic mode in the first place?
2. on the 2005 c240, 2006 c280 that i've driven i think they both shifted up to the next gear if they hit redline even in manual mode, iirc
2. on the 2005 c240, 2006 c280 that i've driven i think they both shifted up to the next gear if they hit redline even in manual mode, iirc
