"Adaptive" tranny
06-25-2003, 02:34 PM
#1
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"Adaptive" tranny
OK, so this has been bugging me for a while.
WTF is the "adaptive" tranny, and please spare me the
MBZ line, that it adapts to the individual style of driving.
I want technical data, like what factors it takes into consideration and what kinds of differences it makes.
How many modes does it have?
What paramaters can it actually adapt?
What triggers the adaptations?
In other words whats the nature of the software algorithm used?
Is it all just hype?
The only time I THINK I may have noticed it, was when i had a loaner, also with the 2.3, and it seemed to stay in lower gears longer, using the torque rather than the revs.
If my tranny HAS adapted then it's been trained to use the revs.
and scoot!
Yet my mileage is the same as anyones, ~23mpg overall.
28 on long trips.
WTF is the "adaptive" tranny, and please spare me the
MBZ line, that it adapts to the individual style of driving.
I want technical data, like what factors it takes into consideration and what kinds of differences it makes.
How many modes does it have?
What paramaters can it actually adapt?
What triggers the adaptations?
In other words whats the nature of the software algorithm used?
Is it all just hype?
The only time I THINK I may have noticed it, was when i had a loaner, also with the 2.3, and it seemed to stay in lower gears longer, using the torque rather than the revs.
If my tranny HAS adapted then it's been trained to use the revs.
and scoot!
Yet my mileage is the same as anyones, ~23mpg overall.
28 on long trips.
06-25-2003, 03:10 PM
#2
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2002 C230K
if you upshift more often, either by touchshift, or letting off the gas, the tranny will upshift earlier. if you like to hold a gear longer, either by touchshift, or kickdown, it will hold a gear longer. remember that the throttle is adaptive too, so depending on how quickly and how far you push the pedal, when you release, when you dont, will affect how much fuel is actually sent. the car does take into account the angles of the road (i.e. grade) as well. and as far as i know, it has a memory spot for each key, but for each person it constantly takes into account how your driving behavior has changed, to change the shift points and throttle levels accordingly.
for example, for me, since i drive through mostly traffic, the power isnt really necessary, and i try to get better mileage. because of that, my car upshifts when it hits the minimum engagement speed for a gear when i drive as i normally do, with partial throttle. it also uses kickdown less often and uses higher gear and just lets the torque converter slip. the downfall is that since i'm more often than not, extremely subdued when i drive, every so often when i need the power, it's not there, because the car wont downshift that extra gear or send the little bit of extra fuel it normally would, if i'd drive more aggressively.
hope this helps a bit.
for example, for me, since i drive through mostly traffic, the power isnt really necessary, and i try to get better mileage. because of that, my car upshifts when it hits the minimum engagement speed for a gear when i drive as i normally do, with partial throttle. it also uses kickdown less often and uses higher gear and just lets the torque converter slip. the downfall is that since i'm more often than not, extremely subdued when i drive, every so often when i need the power, it's not there, because the car wont downshift that extra gear or send the little bit of extra fuel it normally would, if i'd drive more aggressively.
hope this helps a bit.
06-25-2003, 05:25 PM
#3
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2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
Originally posted by dswildfire
if you upshift more often, either by touchshift, or letting off the gas, the tranny will upshift earlier. if you like to hold a gear longer, either by touchshift, or kickdown, it will hold a gear longer. remember that the throttle is adaptive too, so depending on how quickly and how far you push the pedal, when you release, when you dont, will affect how much fuel is actually sent. the car does take into account the angles of the road (i.e. grade) as well. and as far as i know, it has a memory spot for each key, but for each person it constantly takes into account how your driving behavior has changed, to change the shift points and throttle levels accordingly.
for example, for me, since i drive through mostly traffic, the power isnt really necessary, and i try to get better mileage. because of that, my car upshifts when it hits the minimum engagement speed for a gear when i drive as i normally do, with partial throttle. it also uses kickdown less often and uses higher gear and just lets the torque converter slip. the downfall is that since i'm more often than not, extremely subdued when i drive, every so often when i need the power, it's not there, because the car wont downshift that extra gear or send the little bit of extra fuel it normally would, if i'd drive more aggressively.
hope this helps a bit.
if you upshift more often, either by touchshift, or letting off the gas, the tranny will upshift earlier. if you like to hold a gear longer, either by touchshift, or kickdown, it will hold a gear longer. remember that the throttle is adaptive too, so depending on how quickly and how far you push the pedal, when you release, when you dont, will affect how much fuel is actually sent. the car does take into account the angles of the road (i.e. grade) as well. and as far as i know, it has a memory spot for each key, but for each person it constantly takes into account how your driving behavior has changed, to change the shift points and throttle levels accordingly.
for example, for me, since i drive through mostly traffic, the power isnt really necessary, and i try to get better mileage. because of that, my car upshifts when it hits the minimum engagement speed for a gear when i drive as i normally do, with partial throttle. it also uses kickdown less often and uses higher gear and just lets the torque converter slip. the downfall is that since i'm more often than not, extremely subdued when i drive, every so often when i need the power, it's not there, because the car wont downshift that extra gear or send the little bit of extra fuel it normally would, if i'd drive more aggressively.
hope this helps a bit.
06-25-2003, 07:11 PM
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Hence MB offers a 6 speed manual tranny (for a discount too)
:-)
:-)
Originally posted by tberry
...Personally I think this sux b/c i may wanna drive aggressive at one point and not at another so u're limited to what the computer think and not what you think. ...
...Personally I think this sux b/c i may wanna drive aggressive at one point and not at another so u're limited to what the computer think and not what you think. ...
06-25-2003, 08:06 PM
#5
Originally posted by VoyagerDude
Hence MB offers a 6 speed manual tranny (for a discount too)
:-)
Hence MB offers a 6 speed manual tranny (for a discount too)
:-)
Too bad MB doesn't sell more cars with mannys. If they had more practice, maybe they would make better manual transmissions.
06-26-2003, 12:51 AM
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2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Correction Bob
I did not say that the manual tranny is "superior" (maybe it is who knows) My point was that the original poster missed the control over the shift-style when using the auto. So I pointed out that for a grand less you can have that control.
I did not say that the manual tranny is "superior" (maybe it is who knows) My point was that the original poster missed the control over the shift-style when using the auto. So I pointed out that for a grand less you can have that control.
Originally posted by MB-BOB
Well, it only took four posts for someone to point out the "superior(?)" attributes of the manual transmission...
Too bad MB doesn't sell more cars with mannys. If they had more practice, maybe they would make better manual transmissions.
Well, it only took four posts for someone to point out the "superior(?)" attributes of the manual transmission...
Too bad MB doesn't sell more cars with mannys. If they had more practice, maybe they would make better manual transmissions.
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06-26-2003, 12:59 AM
#8
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Originally posted by tberry
That was my theory as well and I believe BMW uses something similar. Personally I think this sux b/c i may wanna drive aggressive at one point and not at another so u're limited to what the computer think and not what you think. Personally when i have elder passengers in the vehicle I use the Winter mode. It start off at 2nd so smoother of-the-line, then i think it restrict the rev range as well and seem to provide more braking as well. I think the adaptive thing should be disabled in Summer mode.
That was my theory as well and I believe BMW uses something similar. Personally I think this sux b/c i may wanna drive aggressive at one point and not at another so u're limited to what the computer think and not what you think. Personally when i have elder passengers in the vehicle I use the Winter mode. It start off at 2nd so smoother of-the-line, then i think it restrict the rev range as well and seem to provide more braking as well. I think the adaptive thing should be disabled in Summer mode.
06-26-2003, 11:38 AM
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2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by jpb5151
Maybe MB could outsource all their transmissions?
Maybe MB could outsource all their transmissions?
