C or S
12-04-2009, 09:09 AM
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2018 E300 4MATIC Sedan
C or S
Just wondering, for those of you that have an automatic, do you normally drive in the C or S setting ?
I picked up my car in July and have always had my car in the S setting. Well, we had our first snow fall here in Chicago ( only an inch or two ), so I put my car in C for the first time ( the roads were fine once I got out of my neighborhood ). I must say, I really noticed a difference ! The car drove SO much better ! There was no lag from a dead stop and the shifts were perfect from each gear up and down. I always read about how wonderful the 7 speed auto gearbox was on our cars and I could never understand the hype, for I was never overly impressed. Now I get it, my car was so much more pleasant to drive.
I know ( in the US at least ) all the C and S setting does is change the shift points ( and the car starts from 2nd from a dead stop in C ). I assumed that S would be the best setting ( I had a 1998 C280 before this car and I never liked the car in the “comfort” mode ) but I may never switch it back to S again.
Am I completely nuts ?
Nick
I picked up my car in July and have always had my car in the S setting. Well, we had our first snow fall here in Chicago ( only an inch or two ), so I put my car in C for the first time ( the roads were fine once I got out of my neighborhood ). I must say, I really noticed a difference ! The car drove SO much better ! There was no lag from a dead stop and the shifts were perfect from each gear up and down. I always read about how wonderful the 7 speed auto gearbox was on our cars and I could never understand the hype, for I was never overly impressed. Now I get it, my car was so much more pleasant to drive.
I know ( in the US at least ) all the C and S setting does is change the shift points ( and the car starts from 2nd from a dead stop in C ). I assumed that S would be the best setting ( I had a 1998 C280 before this car and I never liked the car in the “comfort” mode ) but I may never switch it back to S again.
Am I completely nuts ?
Nick
12-04-2009, 11:05 AM
#2
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No you are not nuts - If you like it in C mode then leave it there. I know many people that never use S mode in the life of the car.
12-04-2009, 11:18 AM
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2009 C300 Luxury
Always C for me, the car does feel much better. Then again, unlike most people I prefer cruising instead of aggressive driving, perhaps that's why I like the C setting. 
12-04-2009, 11:18 AM
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2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I use C most of the time in the winter as well. Summer rolls around, roads are nice and dry again....time for S.
And actually, C mode will still use 1st gear if you mash the pedal so it's a great mode to leave it in for daily driving all year round.
And actually, C mode will still use 1st gear if you mash the pedal so it's a great mode to leave it in for daily driving all year round.
12-04-2009, 11:53 AM
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E 300 AMG-Line diesel-Hybrid - 2021
C in my 5 speed auto, 200CDI diesel. it's nor really a S-port engine anyway...
(also, it always starts in 1st, whether C or S)
(also, it always starts in 1st, whether C or S)
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12-05-2009, 09:39 AM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
jeez I always drive in S. Am I missing something here? It is jerky when i floor it, it keeps the rev when I don't want it to.
12-05-2009, 10:52 AM
#11
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12-05-2009, 11:20 AM
#12
I always start off driving in C mode, but depending on my mood, tempo of driving will switch to S. My C mode is practically trained to S mode anyways, but if I'm about to switch from city to autobahn, I'll switch to S at least until I'm at cruising speed.
12-05-2009, 12:03 PM
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2005 C55
quick question for you guys-
in my old c55, my car would start in whatever mode i had it in when i turned it off, in my new c300, it always starts in C mode, even if i was driving in S previously.
is this normal? any way to change that?
in my old c55, my car would start in whatever mode i had it in when i turned it off, in my new c300, it always starts in C mode, even if i was driving in S previously.
is this normal? any way to change that?
12-05-2009, 07:18 PM
#14
Tried C mode today and thought the engine was much less responsive...suppose it would be nice on a long road trip though. Also didn't notice any improvement in gas mileage.
12-06-2009, 08:28 AM
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14' CLS550
umm.. thats weird cuz mine doesnt do that..
12-06-2009, 09:03 PM
#18
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I always drive in S mode, but may try C mode in light of the above info...
12-07-2009, 02:46 PM
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2008 W204
08 and 09 will start in whatever mode you had on your last setting, 2010 model will start with C mode only.
