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Column Gear Selector
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 327
Likes: 20
From: USA
2015 C300 RWD Sport Premium
After driving cars for 25 years with the shifter on the center console, I’m finding that now my right hand just hangs around wandering aimlessly
Last edited by CO2010; Jun 18, 2015 at 03:47 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 561
Likes: 4
From: UK (South West)
2015 C220 AMG Line Bluetech.
It really is quite nice to clear the centre console.
If you think about it, why wouldn't you put it there.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 480
Likes: 33
From: Waterloo, Ontario Canada
C300 4Matic Tenorite Grey
The selector is for switching between forward, backwards and park. How often do you use it during a trip?
Mercedes is taking the approach that one should be able to do most functions without taking your hand off the wheel and I am fine with that.
And frankly a gear shifter is too ugly to put on that beautiful console.
Mercedes is taking the approach that one should be able to do most functions without taking your hand off the wheel and I am fine with that.
And frankly a gear shifter is too ugly to put on that beautiful console.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 110
From: BNE, Australia
W205 C250BT
Have to admit I'm a convert as well. Initially I thought it was stupid, but now love it. Very convenient when reversing in or out of somewhere.
BTW, what's the norm in the UK over there.. do you guys have the indicator stalk in the right generally?
BTW, what's the norm in the UK over there.. do you guys have the indicator stalk in the right generally?
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey, USA
2015 C300 4MATIC
My first car was a brand new 1987 mustang. It had a console shift. However, when I learned how to drive in 1983, I used my fathers 1979 Dodge Aspen ... which had the gear selector on the steering column.
BTW, my fraternity brother's dad had an old Chevy that had a manual transmission shift on the steering column! It was an ancient pick-up from the 1960s, I believe.
And to all who are in disbelief that there were automobiles in 1979 ... quiet down, and get off my lawn, you whippersnappers!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 458
Likes: 16
From: Columbus, GA
'25 MB GLE 450, w/airmatic
I've adjusted to it quite nicely. In fact I had a chance to drive my old Lexus and the first thing I did was turn on the wipers, thinking I was putting it in reverse.
It becomes second nature and I like not having to take my hands off the steering wheel.
It becomes second nature and I like not having to take my hands off the steering wheel.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 561
Likes: 4
From: UK (South West)
2015 C220 AMG Line Bluetech.
I think manufacturers just went with a standard.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Reversed position of the multi-task stalk and the cruise-control stalk for 2015
I do support the shifter on the column. What I also have trouble with is that for some reason I expect reverse to be down, not up.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: UK
C220 Bluetec
My old 1963 Vauxhall FB had manual shift on the column, 3 on the tree as it was known, my late dads Ford Cortina 1964 had 4 speed manual on the column.
But I agree with PeteInGilroy, when I get into my wifes car I turn on the wipers!!
But I agree with PeteInGilroy, when I get into my wifes car I turn on the wipers!!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 500
Likes: 15
W205
My old 1963 Vauxhall FB had manual shift on the column, 3 on the tree as it was known, my late dads Ford Cortina 1964 had 4 speed manual on the column.
But I agree with PeteInGilroy, when I get into my wifes car I turn on the wipers!!
But I agree with PeteInGilroy, when I get into my wifes car I turn on the wipers!!
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
2015 C 300
I agree it's something I now prefer once I got used to it. It really does make more sense considering how much room it takes up when it's on the center console.
Just take a look at a W205 that is a manual and see how much worse the car looks when it has the shifter in the center console.
Just take a look at a W205 that is a manual and see how much worse the car looks when it has the shifter in the center console.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 114
From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
A vehicle with an automatic transmission & paddle shifters on the steering wheel does not need a gear selector on the center console.
Totally redundant.
As to what one should hold on to while driving...that's simple...the steering wheel!
Totally redundant.
As to what one should hold on to while driving...that's simple...the steering wheel!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Adapting to a new car the hard way
As for adapting to changes in controls, a lot more can go wrong than merely accidentally turning on the windshield wipers or the directional signals. When I took delivery of my 2007 C280 in Sindelfingen, all of my previous cars had had manual transmissions. Afterwards, we stayed for several days in the southwest section of Stuttgart. I was familiar with the area from previous visits, but I had always been driving rental cars, also with manual transmissions.
Unlike American limited access highways, German expressways can have steep hills and sharp turns. So when I came out of a local tunnel at about 40 mph, I knew that after a short distance, the highway turned sharply left, as it climbed a short, but steep hill. In mid-afternoon, there was no traffic at all, no traffic, that is, except for the 18-wheeler just starting to climb the hill ahead of me at about 20 mph!
My previous car with its manual transmission and 92 horsepower would have needed a downshift to take that hill. So that's what I did - I TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT AN AUTOMATIC! My backwards pull shifted the automatic into neutral, and the engine revved. Now I had no power, and I didn't know if I could shift back into Drive at highway speed (or whether trying would destroy my transmission).
As I stabbed at the hazard flashers button, another car emerged from the tunnel behind me, and he was flying. (I had done one thing right; I had already marked the location of that button.) With no other cars appearing, I came to a full stop behind the 18-wheeler and got back into Drive. My wife was terrified, but I could point out that there had never been any real danger. Both the 18-wheeler and I had had our flashers on. Like the truck, I was covered by German law, and the following car had had plenty of time to react. She knew that because of her countrymen's superior training, they can usually be depended upon to be alert and do the right thing. It was no harm, no foul, but it could have been otherwise.
