1st gear start?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
1st gear start?
I'd love to have the option to start in 1st gear (9G transmission starts in 2nd in comfort mode). I've come across some 1st gear start module for older MBs like the W124 and S class. Is there something similar for the W205?
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
I'd love to have the option to start in 1st gear (9G transmission starts in 2nd in comfort mode). I've come across some 1st gear start module for older MBs like the W124 and S class. Is there something similar for the W205?
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
1st is so short, it's not really needed unless for a full blast start. Same with 9th gear, rarely used unless at very high speed cruising. What benefit is there in normal starts besides forcing the car to upshift at <10mph from 1-2?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
If I manually shift down to 1st at a standstill and switch back to auto mode (by pressing down the shift lever while still standing) then the transmission automatically shifts back into 2nd. So, yes, I've tried that and it doesn't solve my problem.
I was also thinking of some kind of mechanism that activates the kick down switch under the throttle without actually having to depress the pedal.
Any other suggestions?
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 104
Likes: 31
From: Belgium
CLA 250+ Luxury Line
I am guessing you are not the original owner / driver of the car. To make the gear shifting more personalised to you consider performing a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) reset per this link NB TCU reset is the second item, no battery disconnection is necessary.
Once the TCU is reset the car reportedly learns from the driving style of the next 15 minutes. I wanted a more sporty behaviour after having driven the car gently from new to run it in. I reset mine at a motorway service station then selected Sport mode and drove it hard. Your preferences and mileage may vary!
Once the TCU is reset the car reportedly learns from the driving style of the next 15 minutes. I wanted a more sporty behaviour after having driven the car gently from new to run it in. I reset mine at a motorway service station then selected Sport mode and drove it hard. Your preferences and mileage may vary!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
I know how to perform a TCU reset, but that won't change the fact that the 9G transmission starts in 2nd gear in comfort mode.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 797
Likes: 141
2018 C43
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,357
Likes: 6,616
Yup, the facelift C43 starts in gear 1 which I hated when test driving it, it is way too jerky. I love the fact that mines start in gear 2 if I am not in Sport+. Keep in mind though the gear ratios of the C300 and the C43 is different.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
I can't stand that mine starts in 2nd. I also couldn't stand the digital instrument cluster, so I swapped it out with an analog one. I guess I'm somewhat backwards.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,357
Likes: 6,616
Guess if you do end up trading your C300 for a C43 then you would find other things to enjoy about it and not just that it will now shift to 1st.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 797
Likes: 141
2018 C43
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 5,470
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I'd love to have the option to start in 1st gear (9G transmission starts in 2nd in comfort mode). I've come across some 1st gear start module for older MBs like the W124 and S class. Is there something similar for the W205?
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
That's only for the FL AMG models. The regular MB models still start in 2nd gear as they are tuned for comfort and not responsiveness.
You need a TCU tune to change any transmission mappings, but as far as I know there are no TCU tunes for the 9-speed yet. Some tuners have TCU tunes now for the 7-speed AMG MCT transmission it seems, but nothing for the 9-speed MCT either. Haven't heard of TCU tunes for the regular MBs, though. Basically if you want a more responsive car off the line, you need to go AMG, or use the Sport modes, as you've already discovered, to get more pep, or manually shift yourself.
You need a TCU tune to change any transmission mappings, but as far as I know there are no TCU tunes for the 9-speed yet. Some tuners have TCU tunes now for the 7-speed AMG MCT transmission it seems, but nothing for the 9-speed MCT either. Haven't heard of TCU tunes for the regular MBs, though. Basically if you want a more responsive car off the line, you need to go AMG, or use the Sport modes, as you've already discovered, to get more pep, or manually shift yourself.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 797
Likes: 141
2018 C43
If you ever driven a manual transmission car, this phenomenon occurs when you put it in 1st gear and decide to gas hard and release soon after, making it look like you are riding a rodeo bull.
C43 in other hand decides that for you from it's genius ecu and when you feather your gas on S+, car thinks you are going but you are not, combine with your gas foot being indecisive, it performs the motion.
C43 in other hand decides that for you from it's genius ecu and when you feather your gas on S+, car thinks you are going but you are not, combine with your gas foot being indecisive, it performs the motion.
Last edited by stockbmw; Sep 12, 2021 at 01:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 21
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
