geek84

Hi folks

I own a 2008 mercedes c class. As most of you may already be aware, it has automatic transmission. However, in the user guide it states that the owner has the option to shift gears manually. I have tried to follow the steps outlined in the guide and change gears manually, but I am getting slightly confused of the procedure to do this.

The procedure to do this described in the manual states that if you press the gear lever towards D+ then the automatic transmission shifts up one gear depending on the gear program selected. However, what does it mean by ‘depending on the gear program selected’, and how would I know what gear the car is in?

The manual goes on to say that shifting up a gear will extend the shift range but moving down a gear will restrict the shift range. What does it mean by extending and restricting the gear range?

Finally, will any of you folks be able to direct me to any websites ( or videos such as you tube), which explain the procedure for doing this?

Thanks in advance for your responses..

illlojik

Basically, lets say you're driving and tap the gear into gear 3, the car will shift like normal UP to gear 3, nothing more. When you slow down or come to a stop it will still shift by itself to 2 and 1st.
If you are in Drive or 6th gear and tap into 4th or lower, same rules apply. The gear selected is the highest it will go. Not a true manual mode in the least bit, but good for passing.

Cool trick from the "secrets thread": While driving in regular D mode, tap and HOLD the shifter to the left and the car will downshift to the lowest passing gear. Nice for a quick down shift on the highway. Tap and hold to the right to return to normal.

Richard2011

I see that you say it will downshift for you in manual mode, but will it shift up for you if you happen to miss shifting and hit the redline? I've always been scared to test this. Haha.

illlojik

Sure I took it close to redline and it held but honestly never tested it beyond that myself.

Glyn M Ruck

Just flick the lever left & right & watch the rev counter. Unless you have an AMG you can't over rev the vehicle. It won't allow you to.

Feel & listen to the car & all will be fun.

jimmythegreek

it will upshift when redlined, it will not hold the gear. I have the paddles on my car and my shifter has only M mode, sport is on the dash and engages the suspension too. Only in M mode will it not upshift it will hold the gear. This is dynamic handling package on a 2011 C350

geek84

Hi Folks

Thanks for your replies. However, my car only had the S and C option, and not the M option. So, I suppose I can't really put it in manual mode?

The only reason why I want to put it in manual mode is because a friend of mine suggested that it helps prevent the car from slipping during the winter whereas if I keep it in automatic mode then the car slips quite frequently. The ESP system on the car does not seem to be that useful !!

I'm actually disappointed with the ESP in that since it is a mercedes, you would have thought that they would have come up with a better system to help prevent the car from slipping.

What are your views on this?

C300CA

S and C button, or S and E button in my 2011 C, are for your driving style. S is "Sporty", shifting at higher RPMs, C is "Comfort" or E is "Economical", starting at 2nd gear and shift sooner (at lower RMP). You still have manual control with D+ and D-, a different thing from S and C.