A 5 speed observation
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From: Club202.com
1998 C43
A 5 speed observation
Hey all:
Today I noticed something about my car. For fun I put my car in fourth gear and was cruising along. I wanted to get around traffic so I punched my accelerator and flew past everyone. On a normal day, I would have my car in fifth and do the same. In fifth, there is a slight lag in throttle response and then you have to bulid up speed again. In fourth, the acceleration was instantaneous. Since I never owned or really driven a stick, this little discovery really amazed me. I am guessing that fourth is an optimal gear with fifth being the icing on the cake.
So, my guess is that from a 60-80mph cruise it is better to be in fourth and then shift up to fifth at a higher rpm, as opposed to always be in fifth and just punching it. In fifth, I assume that the lag is from the car downshifting to gain speed and then back up to fifth. Seems like valuable time and power is lost here.
Please share opinions/observations.
DLS
Today I noticed something about my car. For fun I put my car in fourth gear and was cruising along. I wanted to get around traffic so I punched my accelerator and flew past everyone. On a normal day, I would have my car in fifth and do the same. In fifth, there is a slight lag in throttle response and then you have to bulid up speed again. In fourth, the acceleration was instantaneous. Since I never owned or really driven a stick, this little discovery really amazed me. I am guessing that fourth is an optimal gear with fifth being the icing on the cake.
So, my guess is that from a 60-80mph cruise it is better to be in fourth and then shift up to fifth at a higher rpm, as opposed to always be in fifth and just punching it. In fifth, I assume that the lag is from the car downshifting to gain speed and then back up to fifth. Seems like valuable time and power is lost here.
Please share opinions/observations.
DLS
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From: West Palm Beach
99 C43
I was under the impression that the whole shifting map changes once you put it in "4", meaning that all gears will rev up higher and therefore you'll get more overall performance for spirited driving then you would if you were in "d". I thought it also was more responsive to sudden reductions in throttle, meaning it would downshift to slow the car like you might do in a manual.
Not sure where I got that opinion from?
WTS
Not sure where I got that opinion from?
WTS
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i have a 95 c36 with 4 gears. i find that when i cruise in 3rd in the city, i have way more power than in 4th. but it depends on the speed and rpm, when i floor the gas pedal there is a click from a button and it downshifts when i click it. try this, it works great for shattering egos next to you. enjoy.
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the way most automatic transmissions work is... when you shift the gear selector from "D" to "4" or "3", you are limiting the number of gears available to the drivetrain.
for example, if you have a 5 speed car (ie, c43), this will prevent the car from shifting into its fifth gear, and will therefore keep the car in fourth when you are traveling at speeds where the car would normally shift into fifth. if you have a 4 speed automatic (ie, c36), it will only leave gears 1,2, and 3 available for the tranny to drive in. this keeps your rev's up, and most cars have more readily available horsepower at higher rpm's. that is why your car feels faster at higher speeds when you leave the gear selector in "4" or "3."
this is fine for when you want that extra kick or if you have to go up a steep hill, but when cruising on the highway, you will get a lot better mileage and put a lot less stress on your drivetrain if you shift into the sluggish "D" gear selection.
hope this helps guys!
for example, if you have a 5 speed car (ie, c43), this will prevent the car from shifting into its fifth gear, and will therefore keep the car in fourth when you are traveling at speeds where the car would normally shift into fifth. if you have a 4 speed automatic (ie, c36), it will only leave gears 1,2, and 3 available for the tranny to drive in. this keeps your rev's up, and most cars have more readily available horsepower at higher rpm's. that is why your car feels faster at higher speeds when you leave the gear selector in "4" or "3."
this is fine for when you want that extra kick or if you have to go up a steep hill, but when cruising on the highway, you will get a lot better mileage and put a lot less stress on your drivetrain if you shift into the sluggish "D" gear selection.
hope this helps guys!
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From: NZ
'86 2.3-16 '93 320TE '97 C36
Re: A 5 speed observation
Originally posted by Denlasoul
Hey all:
Today I noticed something about my car. For fun I put my car in fourth gear and was cruising along. I wanted to get around traffic so I punched my accelerator and flew past everyone. On a normal day, I would have my car in fifth and do the same. In fifth, there is a slight lag in throttle response and then you have to bulid up speed again. In fourth, the acceleration was instantaneous. Since I never owned or really driven a stick, this little discovery really amazed me. I am guessing that fourth is an optimal gear with fifth being the icing on the cake.
So, my guess is that from a 60-80mph cruise it is better to be in fourth and then shift up to fifth at a higher rpm, as opposed to always be in fifth and just punching it. In fifth, I assume that the lag is from the car downshifting to gain speed and then back up to fifth. Seems like valuable time and power is lost here.
Please share opinions/observations.
DLS
Hey all:
Today I noticed something about my car. For fun I put my car in fourth gear and was cruising along. I wanted to get around traffic so I punched my accelerator and flew past everyone. On a normal day, I would have my car in fifth and do the same. In fifth, there is a slight lag in throttle response and then you have to bulid up speed again. In fourth, the acceleration was instantaneous. Since I never owned or really driven a stick, this little discovery really amazed me. I am guessing that fourth is an optimal gear with fifth being the icing on the cake.
So, my guess is that from a 60-80mph cruise it is better to be in fourth and then shift up to fifth at a higher rpm, as opposed to always be in fifth and just punching it. In fifth, I assume that the lag is from the car downshifting to gain speed and then back up to fifth. Seems like valuable time and power is lost here.
Please share opinions/observations.
DLS
funny you should say this, I've just recently started leaving it in 4 for city driving I find it doesn't seem to wallow around in the gears as much as when it's in D since it's only running 1500-2000rpm. I'd prefer it shouldn't even go into 5 at these speeds... so been leaving it in 4. I've also been thinking instead of the adaptive program in the transmission I think I'd rather just have a manual switch for "sport" and "economy" so I can have an instant mapping change rather than having to wait for it to learn what I'm doing. After a weekend run it's good then I go back to a few days of city driving in heavy traffic it forgets what I taught it... I'd rather just have a switch. I've never had a need for the W setting.
I've just gotten back from a blast in the 16v after not having driven it much since I got the 36... that car is fun. It's not as comfortable and it's noisy but it sure does get you involved in the whole driving experience.
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From: Seattle, Wa.
C43 AMG
That makes a lot of sense. I have never tried it, but I feel I will now!
So does that mean that you can drive it from about 10 mph, than manually shift it to 2nd, than 3rd, than 4th if you want optimal performance from the start?
How did you get into 4th on the freeway? Were you driving in just Auto, than moved the knob into 4th, or did you start shifting manually from the onramp or whenever...?
I need to go try this!
So does that mean that you can drive it from about 10 mph, than manually shift it to 2nd, than 3rd, than 4th if you want optimal performance from the start?
How did you get into 4th on the freeway? Were you driving in just Auto, than moved the knob into 4th, or did you start shifting manually from the onramp or whenever...?
I need to go try this!
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From: Club202.com
1998 C43
Wyatt:
I was taking a turn and downshifted to play around with the power. Coming out of the turn, I gunned it and felt really strong, responsive power immediately. I am guessing that if I were to pop it into D, the car would maximize the power coming from the 4th gear. I noticed that when I am in D and gun it, the power isnt as immediate as in 4th. It makes sense since in 4th you can bring the rpm and power higher before utilizing the 5th (higher gear). Whereas in 5th you are just bringing the car to max power, and that seems to take longer.
DLS
I was taking a turn and downshifted to play around with the power. Coming out of the turn, I gunned it and felt really strong, responsive power immediately. I am guessing that if I were to pop it into D, the car would maximize the power coming from the 4th gear. I noticed that when I am in D and gun it, the power isnt as immediate as in 4th. It makes sense since in 4th you can bring the rpm and power higher before utilizing the 5th (higher gear). Whereas in 5th you are just bringing the car to max power, and that seems to take longer.
DLS
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Out Of Control!!
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From: around the world
monowiper
just like manual tranny
think of it that way
i can't believe you guys haven't driven like that before !!!
would you ever try to race someone in 6th gear with manual tranny? i think not, you'd drop it in 3rd and smoke it
think of it that way
i can't believe you guys haven't driven like that before !!!
would you ever try to race someone in 6th gear with manual tranny? i think not, you'd drop it in 3rd and smoke it
Thread Starter
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From: Club202.com
1998 C43
Eurosport:
That's what my wife said! :P I got your calls this weekend, sorry I havent gotten back to you. I was at a house warming party yesterday and today I was watching the Matrix. I amgoing on an interview tomorrow, what are you doing? Have you painted your calipers yet?
DLS
That's what my wife said! :P I got your calls this weekend, sorry I havent gotten back to you. I was at a house warming party yesterday and today I was watching the Matrix. I amgoing on an interview tomorrow, what are you doing? Have you painted your calipers yet?
DLS
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From: around the world
monowiper
np man
was in Kirkland getting loaded with a friend tonight
got calipers done yesterday
if you wanna do yours silver, i have half of the paint left and should fit for 2 coats on yours np. it's pretty easy to do it as long as no rain.
was in Kirkland getting loaded with a friend tonight
got calipers done yesterday
if you wanna do yours silver, i have half of the paint left and should fit for 2 coats on yours np. it's pretty easy to do it as long as no rain.
