CarGuru

Since I've had the car I personally leave it in (S) sport about 90% time 10% when we get a way for the weekend or long drive.

-Ryan

GPI

After the break-in period, I changed it to the "S" mode.

BlackMercBenz

Yep.. Same here!

ismeto

but in S mode more fuel eat ! I use always C mode .. Do you ?

sorrrrrry you are american ! Petrol is not important for you

JimPap

I use C mode on my C300. Primarily, because I like the softer takeoff from a standstill rather than the jerky 1st gear takeoff if I were in S mode.

qwerty1024

Good question - I was curious what mode people use as well.

During 1000 mile break-in:
C = ~95%, while very rarle S or "Manual", side-to-side shifting

Thereafter:
"C" = ~70%,
"Manual", side-to-side shifting = ~25%
"S" mode = ~5%

I use Mostly "C" because I'mstuck in traffic and saves a bit of gas.
If I ever want the control of shifts and response, I much prefer the "manual" shifting vs. the "S", so i could very well do without the "S".

CarGuru

I prefer the overall feel and readiness of the (S) mode, unfortunately the dealer didn't say anything about leaving it in (C) for the first 1K miles. I also didn't find out that it said to do so in the owners manual till reading on this message board a while ago, at that point I had over 1K miles.

-Ryan

oblu

At first, I couldn't stand C and used S all the time (I'm not a big believer in "break-in" on modern cars ... but then I've never kept anything except my workhorse 4Runner for more than 3 years) but now that the transmission has adapted to my driving style C seems just fine for 90% of my driving.

alexyanglaw

I got the car last week and I am currently using C mode, I plan to use S mode after 1000 miles break in period. I plan not to drive it hard or pass 90mile/hr before 1000 miles break in period. I think this is better for the transmission.

LaicepsYdobon

C mode because its much smoother in my daily bumper to bumper trafficy commute. S mode I leave for when I take longer trips on the highway.

alexyanglaw

I prefer S mode better because the car feels more stiff and handles better, I will use C mode when I take a long trip plus the car will shift with lower rpm to save me a little bit of gas.

LaicepsYdobon

Alex, you are the Ying to my Yang

zakklp

C mode for break-in then S mode and let'r rip!

Peter_Biz

Maybe I'm wrong,....... but while driving today I thought of something that I just wanted to add ....

If you drive in C mode for the first 1K, which keeps the transmition from going into 1st gear..... then you have a transmission that is "broken-in" except for the 1st gear. So wouldn't it be better to keep it in "S" and just drive gently??

Then when It's fully and evenly broken in, drive however you like.

What do you think?

CarGuru

As I mentioned, my dealer didn't tell me anything about leaving it in C for the 1st 1K miles, and it wasn't till I had over that millage that I read on here to look in the manual where it is advised. In contrast I've got 5K miles on the clock YTD the trans shifts as buttery smooth and is as tight as a drum since the day I first test drove it. I too would have assumed having the car start in 2nd gear is harder on the Torque-Converter and transmission overall than having it start in 1st? I'm no engineer though, it's just it makes sense.

-Ryan

atiqa

Same here, only ~125 miles to go!

LaicepsYdobon

Actually its not the transmission that needs to be broken in but the engine. Keeping it in C mode prevents the engine from reving too high. Reving above 3,000rpm is discouraged during the break-in period. I guess you could drive in gently in S mode also but its much easier to rev above 3,000rpm while in S mode then in C mode. With all that said my dealer told me to keep the car in S mode all the time and didn't mention anything about a break-in period. I'm the kind of person who likes to read the manual before using something so I saw it in the booklet that its advised to keep the car in C mode to prevent high revs.

ismeto

means revs. ?

stephensong

S is not sport, it is standard and you will not use any more gas driving in S. You should read your owner's manual and you will see that C is for better control when road conditions are not great it puts the transmission in second when you start from a stand-still it also does the same when in reverse.

oblu

Hahaha, I'd just assumed S was for sport and never bothered looking in the manual.

stephensong

Kirkland? What color is your C350? I am in Seattle, and have seen a White with tinted windows but no others.

AsianML

It's discouraged, but it's not like your engine is going to blow up once you hit 1,001 miles if you've gone over 3k RPM. It's okay to go over once in a while, but don't do it too often during break in. The most important thing that most people neglect to do is wait until the engine is at the acceptable operating temperature range before going on a "spirited drive" both during or after break in. Then again I have no facts to back up what I say and everything coming out of my mouth is just crap spewing all over the place... :blahblah:

oblu

C300 with 18" amg wheels. Same color as yours.

I've seen a white with tinted windows and personalized plates but that's it. Probably the same thing as when I first got my e90. Had it for almost 8mo before I saw any others on the road and then there was an explosion.

LaicepsYdobon

Crap or not it does sound reasonable and logical.

Jorg

I mix it up during the break in period. C in the city and S on the open road, but as soon as winter arrives and the road could have "black" ice, C is the mode to drive in, because I feel I get easier starts from full stops.

I have no proof but my instinct tells me that in the C mode the fuel consumptions is a bit better, maybe I drive then slower.

I am amazed that when I switch, after a while, from C to S, I think I have a new car. It's harder to adhere to the speed limits in the city in S

Jorg