I've read from this forum and heard from somewhere else that starting in comfort mode on a c55 with that much torque in second gear is bad for the engine?

I've also heard that comfort mode is suppose to save gas even if you are driving relatively passive, however after been driving manual cars before the c55 I always was under the impression that starting in second gear uses more gas than starting in first?

Sorry if this is a repeat post but I've searched these topics but there hasn't really been any conclusive answer. Thanks.

no truth to first q.

comfort starts car in 2nd gear and saves gas

Starting in second does not cause any measurable engine wear.

Engines that produce high torque numbers low in the rev range may save gas starting in 2nd gear provided the vehicle is on flat terrain. If you were to drive in the city of SF, starting in 2nd gear would waste a lot of gas.

I always use comfort mode when I am with my family. The car runs good. When I am by myself, I switch to normal sometimes. The car is perfectly alright under the 2 modes.

The c55 is "fairly" light for a 360hp+ engine w/ good low end torque (at or below 10lbs/hp). So apparently a 2nd gear start is possible given the 2nd gear ratio, the realtively low weight & good torque.

without comparing torque curves, gear ratios & vehicle weight ... could 2nd gear start on a c230 work? ... possibly not?

If you had a car w/ a higher weight-to-power ratio & an automatic, second gear start may not work or make sense ... you might spend alot more time using the torque conveter before you finally got up to speed & locked up the clutches. (more fuel consumption & heat in the transmission/cooling system could result)

I'm pretty sure MBZ wouldn't knowingly risk higher warranty costs (especially for the engine & transmission-kinda pricey) to add a little known 2nd gear start feature on a "limited" production car.

This feature was NOT why I bought this car. Fuel economy isn't either. A performance sedan w/ less than 10lb/HP is why

My loaner c230 got nearly 10mpg better MPG's in mixed traffic ... I'm keeping the C55.

Still... car manufacturers have made bad decision before & will again, but this claim doesn't concern me.

My "old" 2007 Benz C 230 V6 sport always started in second gear on comfort mode

From what I've heard, the people here that use winter instead of summer mode (2nd vs 1st gear start) in C32s have had worse gas mileage.

only in the big'ol Tex you can save gas starting from 2nd.

...but I made a break through...I actually got 27mpg on the freeway cruising at 70mph...and then I stump on the gas and made it normal back to 22-23. LOL

The load placed on the engine from a second-gear start is substantially greater than a first-gear start.

With that said, unless the engine is ice-cold, you wouldn't be causing any damage or accelerated wear.

gotcha ... my bad.

I thought all C230 were 4 cyl ... I should have said 4 cyl instead.

Again regardles of engine size, you still have to determine if there's enough tractive effort for a 2 gear start ... it still maybe possible w/ a 4 cyl, but probably alot easier & less stressful w/ a V8

I drive a 93 (Last year made) 190E 2.6. Wich starts in first gear.

But, all other years for this car start in 2nd gear. Unless you do the first gear trick every time you stop. I know my car weighs almost 4,000lbs and has ~150 hp. The 4cyl has only ~120hp and weighs just over 3,000lbs.

So the 4cyl has a 30lbs/hp ratio and starts in 2nd. I think your guy's cars are safe with about 14 yrs more of technology, more then twice the hp, and a warrenty lol.

You can check with MTI or kyniption to very that info. They probably know better then I.