Smooth Downshift?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Bella Vista, AR
05 C55 AMG
Smooth Downshift?
I have noticed that when my C55 downshifts it is not really smooth. Should it feel as smooth as if it were rev matching? Does anyone else have this issue?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Bella Vista, AR
05 C55 AMG
It isn't that there is play in the gear or anything. I just feels like a downshift without rev matching, when you just slowly pull the clutch out to match transmission speed with engine speed.
Is that just how our cars are?
This happens when I am using the paddle shifters.
Is that just how our cars are?
This happens when I am using the paddle shifters.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
There is no rev-matching downshifting feature on our transmission, so there is always going to be slight "jerk" when the car is downshifting, especially in S and M mode and when you are asking for a rapid increase in acceleration when pressing the throttle aggressively. The gear shifts are not as silky smooth as a typical non-AMG benz, as there is more emphasis on faster shift speeds (35% faster than the non-AMG benzes of its time). Having said that, it also shouldn't be an unpleasant "jolt" either.......just a slight jerk which is noticeable.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Bella Vista, AR
05 C55 AMG
There is no rev-matching downshifting feature on our transmission, so there is always going to be slight "jerk" when the car is downshifting, especially in S and M mode and when you are asking for a rapid increase in acceleration when pressing the throttle aggressively. The gear shifts are not as silky smooth as a typical non-AMG benz, as there is more emphasis on faster shift speeds (35% faster than the non-AMG benzes of its time). Having said that, it also shouldn't be an unpleasant "jolt" either.......just a slight jerk which is noticeable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
I have this as well and have always wondered about it. It's a relief to know that it's normal.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
you can try to throttle blip to rev match, but it's very difficult as there is a delay. The delay when downshifting seems to be different in every gear. I can throttle blip silky smooth from 5th to 4th and 4th to 3rd. 3rd to 2nd is quite hard as the delay is much longer. Sounds amazing with an exhaust. People often pull up next to me and ask me how I'm able to downshift like that on a benz.
Anyways, I've often wondered if I'm harming the transmission by doing this. Anyone have an idea? It does make downshifting smoother. There must be a reason why the transmission TCU can't be programmed with a throttle blip feature. Must be a limitation of the transmission itself.
Bry
Anyways, I've often wondered if I'm harming the transmission by doing this. Anyone have an idea? It does make downshifting smoother. There must be a reason why the transmission TCU can't be programmed with a throttle blip feature. Must be a limitation of the transmission itself.
Bry
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
C63, C55 (Sold)
I believe that the 3rd to 2nd is harder since we use 2nd to start rolling in C mode, so the 2nd gear is much shorter than on other cars. I saw on Youtube a C55 doing a burnout in 2nd gear, that tells you how the gearbox was designed.
Very interesting the idea of tapping the gas pedal to make rev matches. Didn't know that. I'll try it too...
Very interesting the idea of tapping the gas pedal to make rev matches. Didn't know that. I'll try it too...
