Comfort/sport mode makes no sense, from a fuel efficiency standpoint.
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Comfort/sport mode makes no sense, from a fuel efficiency standpoint.
A thread from the S class forum got me thinking about this - devil's in the details here, so pls refrain from skimming and commenting :-)
It is a pretty fundamental understanding that the more gears you have for a transmission the better the fuel economy is. This makes sense - anyone who has ever ridden a bike will know that the more gears you have = the easier it is for you to get started, and once you get going, the more gears you have = the less hard you have to work. It is also a generally accepted understanding that a 9 speed gearbox is more fuel efficient than a 4 speed gearbox, but probably less efficient than a CVT which has 1400+ settings.
Anyways, why then, is it also accepted that using Comfort mode on all MB sedans, such as the W204 is the more fuel efficient of the two (versus sport mode)? In C mode, you're starting off with second gear, thus bypassing first gear altogether. It would appear to me that starting off in first gear is more fuel efficient. That said, I do understand that Sport mode holds gears longer, and thus causes a drop in fuel mileage, but why didn't MB start off C mode in first gear, and continue to have it do what it does now, which is to upshift as early as possible?
Either the German engineers are idiots, or I am, and it's most likely the latter, but I still don't get this.
It is a pretty fundamental understanding that the more gears you have for a transmission the better the fuel economy is. This makes sense - anyone who has ever ridden a bike will know that the more gears you have = the easier it is for you to get started, and once you get going, the more gears you have = the less hard you have to work. It is also a generally accepted understanding that a 9 speed gearbox is more fuel efficient than a 4 speed gearbox, but probably less efficient than a CVT which has 1400+ settings.
Anyways, why then, is it also accepted that using Comfort mode on all MB sedans, such as the W204 is the more fuel efficient of the two (versus sport mode)? In C mode, you're starting off with second gear, thus bypassing first gear altogether. It would appear to me that starting off in first gear is more fuel efficient. That said, I do understand that Sport mode holds gears longer, and thus causes a drop in fuel mileage, but why didn't MB start off C mode in first gear, and continue to have it do what it does now, which is to upshift as early as possible?
Either the German engineers are idiots, or I am, and it's most likely the latter, but I still don't get this.
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Given that argument then, what you're suggesting is that if the vehicle starts off in gear 2, as opposed to gear 1, in comfort mode, that the ride would be more comfortable. Yeah, I don't buy that. The shift from gear 1->2 is one of the smoothest shifts in our cars, so that doesn't make sense either.
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Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
...not sure about the fuel efficiency standpoint, but from a comfort standpoint, this holds true. The W204 is not the only one I know that does this. For example, you can start a modern day Corvette in 4th since it has enough torque to get your going. It simply provides a smoother start (assuming the car in question has enough low end torque to do this). You'll also spin the tires less if driven on wet/icy roads.
As for the bike analogy (I'm a recreational cycler as well), no one starts in 1st (aka the granny gear).
As for the bike analogy (I'm a recreational cycler as well), no one starts in 1st (aka the granny gear).
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First gear is pretty crap in our cars for normal driving unless you're going to race or push it at stoplights.
It does that little rpm flourish thing and shifts at like 5mph or something, so I'm sure the action of shifting itself is less fuel efficient than starting at lower rpm's in second gear.
It does that little rpm flourish thing and shifts at like 5mph or something, so I'm sure the action of shifting itself is less fuel efficient than starting at lower rpm's in second gear.
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Man, this is why I, proverbially, love you guys. Answering my question using an analogy I used. Love it!
That said, it seems to me this first gear is pretty useless then. Not sure why MB even bothered with the first gear, because as was pointed out upthread, other carmakers actually use their first gear. wtf was MB thinking?
That said, it seems to me this first gear is pretty useless then. Not sure why MB even bothered with the first gear, because as was pointed out upthread, other carmakers actually use their first gear. wtf was MB thinking?
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1st is still used if you need to accelerate out of the hole, and is used if you want to produce the lowest 0-60 time. I personally go in sports mode (utilizing 1st gear) when I'm in stop and go traffic, and need to merge into a clear lane from a dead stop. It's also useful when doing autocross or when you want to drive like a jackass. 
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
1st is still used if you need to accelerate out of the hole, and is used if you want to produce the lowest 0-60 time. I personally go in sports mode (utilizing 1st gear) when I'm in stop and go traffic, and need to merge into a clear lane from a dead stop. It's also useful when doing autocross or when you want to drive like a jackass.
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
C Comfort mode started as W Winter mode with Mercedes. You would use W mode in snow or ice to reduce the torque and hence reduce wheel spin and tire wear. Then in 2005 I believe, they renamed it to Comfort.
I do use Comfort mode a lot for --comfort, not because the shift from 1 to 2 is not smooth, but because I would need to worry less about throttle finesse especially when pulling in and out of tight parking spaces and where precision is needed.
I do use Comfort mode a lot for --comfort, not because the shift from 1 to 2 is not smooth, but because I would need to worry less about throttle finesse especially when pulling in and out of tight parking spaces and where precision is needed.
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C204
Man, this is why I, proverbially, love you guys. Answering my question using an analogy I used. Love it!
That said, it seems to me this first gear is pretty useless then. Not sure why MB even bothered with the first gear, because as was pointed out upthread, other carmakers actually use their first gear. wtf was MB thinking?
That said, it seems to me this first gear is pretty useless then. Not sure why MB even bothered with the first gear, because as was pointed out upthread, other carmakers actually use their first gear. wtf was MB thinking?
Why would it be useless? If you decide to start quickly, you will need 1st gear. Aren't we discussing Comfort mode? If you are driving on Comfort mode, I guess you want to feel comfortable. I do not get your point at all.
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2016 S550
Starting in 2nd Gear has nothing to do with fuel economy. It’s for comfort. The 90s S Class (w140) did this by default.
I take it that you’ve probably never driven a stick shift. If you stay in first gear, it is twitchy, very sensitive, very abrupt acceleration etc. All of which is not elegant and smooth. Think if someone trying to take a drink from a glass of water while you’re about to drive.. more likely they’ll spill if you start in gear 1.
Does that mean gear 1 is useless? No. There are many instances where starting in gear 1 is useful, such as the need to overtake the car next to you when the light turns green, etc.
I take it that you’ve probably never driven a stick shift. If you stay in first gear, it is twitchy, very sensitive, very abrupt acceleration etc. All of which is not elegant and smooth. Think if someone trying to take a drink from a glass of water while you’re about to drive.. more likely they’ll spill if you start in gear 1.
Does that mean gear 1 is useless? No. There are many instances where starting in gear 1 is useful, such as the need to overtake the car next to you when the light turns green, etc.
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
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Mercedes C250 Coupe
My C250 coupe has two transmission setting "E" for economy and 'S' for sport.................the default is E (you need to push S to get a 1st gear start).
The E setting got my attention early (a 440 mile round trip to Carmel which calc'd out at just under 35 MPG. Made my day/weekend).
Nice car.
ez
The E setting got my attention early (a 440 mile round trip to Carmel which calc'd out at just under 35 MPG. Made my day/weekend).
Nice car.
ez
Last edited by ezshift5; Mar 12, 2018 at 11:08 AM.
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
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I wouldn't say I necesarrily confirmed this, however I went 160km/h off the ramp so I'm sure I'd had to have used 7th gear lol.
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
lool, well I can confirm because when I do long trips I'm always at 118-120km/h since it shifts into 7th gear right at about 116km/h, thats how I get the best mpg, got it as low at 8.0L/100km
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
The fuel consumption of my C250 is so low that I don't think it matters much which setting is used. The fact that the car will select 1st gear automatically if the throttle is pushed briskly from a standing start makes it sensible for my driving style to leave it in "C" all the time. First gear on my 722.9 transmission is 13.49:1 and so first would be used only up to 2-3 MPH in most cases. Even with 2nd gear starts, the gearing makes me first away from the suburban traffic signals most of the time anyway.
I had a 2003 E320 and the "C" was "W" as noted by xsever. Somewhere between there and 2013 that change was made. That earlier car also had the 2 reverse gears (722.6 5 speed transmission). i believe the owner's manual said it was for backing on icy roads in winter just like the starting in second, because it selected the higher of the two reverse gears in "W."
Compared to the E320, the C250 is like a rocket powered skate board (lighter car, same torque at lower engine speed, and better gearing), so either selection is better than the 5 speed.
I had a 2003 E320 and the "C" was "W" as noted by xsever. Somewhere between there and 2013 that change was made. That earlier car also had the 2 reverse gears (722.6 5 speed transmission). i believe the owner's manual said it was for backing on icy roads in winter just like the starting in second, because it selected the higher of the two reverse gears in "W."
Compared to the E320, the C250 is like a rocket powered skate board (lighter car, same torque at lower engine speed, and better gearing), so either selection is better than the 5 speed.
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"That earlier car also had the 2 reverse gears (722.6 5 speed transmission). i believe the owner's manual said it was for backing on icy roads in winter just like the starting in second, because it selected the higher of the two reverse gears in "W."
Interesting explanation for my W204's reverse gears..would apply if in "C" mode only then I suppose or not?
Interesting explanation for my W204's reverse gears..would apply if in "C" mode only then I suppose or not?
