Survey: do you drive your car mostly in Sport or Comort mode?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Drive program
S(drive programs S and S+ on
MAG vehicles) is characterized by the
following:
sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
the vehicle pulling away in first gear
the automatic transmission shifting up
later
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
S(drive programs S and S+ on
MAG vehicles) is characterized by the
following:
sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
the vehicle pulling away in first gear
the automatic transmission shifting up
later
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
2018 C300
The C350 could be an exception. I am absolutely 100% positive that the C250 W204's will always start in first gear in E mode. I have one and immediately noticed the difference and spent an hour on the phone with MBUSA confirming the behavior. Notice that the manual doesn't specify that Eco mode starts the car in 2nd gear specifically as it always did up until 2014.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Sorry, that is still not right. Your car may have some sort of issue - weren't you complaining of this back a couple of years ago? But the 2012 C-class manual has the exact same wording as the 2014.
2012 W204 manual:
They would not mention that S pulls away in 1st gear if both modes operated the same way. It does not differentiate between models. I've driven 2014 C250s as loaners and they started in 2nd gear in E mode just as my C350 does. Mercedes has indeed changed this for the W205, which was out in 2014 in ROW and that may be the confusion.
2012 W204 manual:
Drive program
E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
comfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmission settings
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program
S (drive programs S and S+ on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the
following:
sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
the vehicle pulling away in first gear
the automatic transmission shifting up
later
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
comfort-oriented engine and automatic
transmission settings
optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program
S (drive programs S and S+ on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the
following:
sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
the vehicle pulling away in first gear
the automatic transmission shifting up
later
the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
2018 C300
You have a C350, yours probably doesn't need to start in 1st gear. Mine does, there is no issue with the car, MBUSA confirms that in my model year and newer the car starts in 1st gear no matter which mode.
Again notice what you're pasting doesn't say the car starts in 2nd gear in Eco mode. If you look in the older manuals it does. I've had W203's and two W204's. Starting with the 2014 the default behavior changed. It's normal, chill out, your car is different because it has a lot more torque.
And no, I wasn't complaining about it a couple years ago because I've only had this car for a year.
Again notice what you're pasting doesn't say the car starts in 2nd gear in Eco mode. If you look in the older manuals it does. I've had W203's and two W204's. Starting with the 2014 the default behavior changed. It's normal, chill out, your car is different because it has a lot more torque.
And no, I wasn't complaining about it a couple years ago because I've only had this car for a year.
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
2018 C300
If you look back in the older manuals, I checked 2008 for example it states the following about "Comfort" mode:
The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range 1 is selected.
The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range 1 is selected.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Sorry, this was the thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...start-1st.html
I'm not arguing with you. The W204 starts in 2nd gear in E mode, 1st gear in S mode - all years, all models. Same as it worked on my W203, both my W204s, and my W211. I apologize if your car is not behaving correctly, but that is an isolated case.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...start-1st.html
I'm not arguing with you. The W204 starts in 2nd gear in E mode, 1st gear in S mode - all years, all models. Same as it worked on my W203, both my W204s, and my W211. I apologize if your car is not behaving correctly, but that is an isolated case.
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
2018 C300
No it's not an isolated issue, and you're telling me I'm wrong so you ARE arguing. MBUSA confirms my car SHOULD start in 1st gear no matter which mode. There are several threads on here where other 2014 C250 owners confirm the same thing.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
2018 C300
For example, here's an E Class thread where owners of different years and models also notice the differences and some always start in 1st gear in E mode: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...sion-mode.html
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
2006 E350
Once the car has heated up, I normally drive in Sport- aside from pretending to be a race car driver I figure the sharper shifts could help prolong the transmission life.
When I'm in a rush or if I have passengers I'll keep it in Comfort.
When I'm in a rush or if I have passengers I'll keep it in Comfort.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
Sport is the first thing I do when I drive the GF's car. Always hated "W" or "E" mode in MB's. It's the only way to get power delivery anywhere close in relation to how I drive a car. I don't enjoy the firm shifts from it constantly being in Sport mode, but it's a compromise I have, and always have had, to make when driving Mercedes.
