One of the partners at my firm heard this re: AMG and down shifting...true?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 75
From: San Diego
Hyperion's Candy-Coated 4 x 4
One of the partners at my firm heard this re: AMG and down shifting...true?
He was told/or read on some other forums, that with automatic transmissions, you shouldnt use the paddle shifters to downshift (or presumably downshift at all) because it screws up your transmission and engine, but instead should just brake when he needs to slow down. He has a 2007 E63 and I said that didnt sound right to me, but would post on this forum and see if there was a consensus opinion. Thoughts?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 75
From: San Diego
Hyperion's Candy-Coated 4 x 4
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: St. Albert, AB
2011 C63 P31
I do it all the time too, but I seem to remember someone saying that an instructor at the AMG driving school said never to slow down this way - always use the brakes primarily...
With that being said, I don't care. Downshifting sounds too sweet not to do!
With that being said, I don't care. Downshifting sounds too sweet not to do!
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
I saw a previous post where someone commented that an AMG engr suggested you never do that. That in itself leads me to believe we need to investigate just a bit further before we start calling someones comments dumb.
Do you have knowledge that would support downshifting vs. braking as an OK option? And to simply say, "I do it all the time," won't cut it for me. it's not worth ruining the engine block or something else just to downshift. i've done it many times but until we get some concrete evidence that its an OK practice, I will cease with it.
Kindly
EH
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 14
From: Sydney, Australia
Vath ML63 Brabus C63 SL63 CLK63BS C63BS
Maybe i was a bit harsh.
Aside friom the fact that thre throttle blipping function is designed precisely for this purpose, you listen to any promotional video on AMG website - the video on the SLS minisite comes immediatley to mind - and the downshifting engine braking features prominently, Note that my Mercedes instructor from my recent AMG drive day encouraged me to downshift the hell out of the car.
Aside friom the fact that thre throttle blipping function is designed precisely for this purpose, you listen to any promotional video on AMG website - the video on the SLS minisite comes immediatley to mind - and the downshifting engine braking features prominently, Note that my Mercedes instructor from my recent AMG drive day encouraged me to downshift the hell out of the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 14
From: Sydney, Australia
Vath ML63 Brabus C63 SL63 CLK63BS C63BS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 3
From: Thick Ascending Limb
2017 BMW X5M DG/AB
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
Maybe i was a bit harsh.
Aside friom the fact that thre throttle blipping function is designed precisely for this purpose, you listen to any promotional video on AMG website - the video on the SLS minisite comes immediatley to mind - and the downshifting engine braking features prominently, Note that my Mercedes instructor from my recent AMG drive day encouraged me to downshift the hell out of the car.
Aside friom the fact that thre throttle blipping function is designed precisely for this purpose, you listen to any promotional video on AMG website - the video on the SLS minisite comes immediatley to mind - and the downshifting engine braking features prominently, Note that my Mercedes instructor from my recent AMG drive day encouraged me to downshift the hell out of the car.
Many kind thanks for your reply.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 27
2021 Yukon XL Denali, 2017 GLS450 4MATIC, 1993 Chevy Corvette
Downshifting is an essential part of driving for "sport". That being said, the way I have always thought of it is: "What is easier/less costly to replace - brakes or differential/transmission?". Invariably, downshifting to slow the car or downshifting while enjoying spirited driving puts intense strain on the differential. Now, the differential in an AMG is designed to withstand a good beating for sure. However, I would put my money on the fact that those drivers who downshift very infrequently (myself) versus drivers who downshift constantly, will have their transmissions/diff. last much longer. That is not to say that downshifting will lead to differentials demise in a vehicle's lifetime. But for those who are conscious of a costly diff. replacement at 80,000 miles, it would definitely be safe to avoid downshifting, at least as a means of regularly slowing down the car. I am all for spirited downshifting when really "getting after it", but just not daily consistent downshifting.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 2
From: NY
See Sig
Downshifting is an essential part of driving for "sport". That being said, the way I have always thought of it is: "What is easier/less costly to replace - brakes or differential/transmission?". Invariably, downshifting to slow the car or downshifting while enjoying spirited driving puts intense strain on the differential. Now, the differential in an AMG is designed to withstand a good beating for sure. However, I would put my money on the fact that those drivers who downshift very infrequently (myself) versus drivers who downshift constantly, will have their transmissions/diff. last much longer. That is not to say that downshifting will lead to differentials demise in a vehicle's lifetime. But for those who are conscious of a costly diff. replacement at 80,000 miles, it would definitely be safe to avoid downshifting, at least as a means of regularly slowing down the car. I am all for spirited downshifting when really "getting after it", but just not daily consistent downshifting.
No question. Anyone blipping their car every day in M mode will find their tranny gone way before someone who doesn't.
You can have the best of both world driving in sport mode and anticipating traffic and letting the car downshift on its own and letting the engine do the job of slowing you down. Its not as fun and doesnt sound as good but it will save you a tranny after your warranty expires.
Every car except this Ive owned since 18 has been a manual so im used to letting the engine stop me and I wear my pads out very slowly.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
C63
You can have the best of both world driving in sport mode and anticipating traffic and letting the car downshift on its own and letting the engine do the job of slowing you down. Its not as fun and doesnt sound as good but it will save you a tranny after your warranty expires.
Every car except this Ive owned since 18 has been a manual so im used to letting the engine stop me and I wear my pads out very slowly.
Every car except this Ive owned since 18 has been a manual so im used to letting the engine stop me and I wear my pads out very slowly.
got at least %60 left on the pads
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
If your coming to a full stop in normal street diving, just use the brakes, they are cheaper than tranny parts. (Same as in a manual tranny). The paddle shifters are to match revs (just like heal and toe on a manual tranny) when your working it hard. Let the brakes take the brunt of scrubbing off speed then down shift as the revs match to a lower gear to exit the turns. The car downshifts itself anyway with rev matching but not as far as you may like. Guy's tate seriously track their cars do not expect to get lots of milage out of clutches, sychros, clutch assemblies, pads, rotors, and tires.
Last edited by DuaneC63; Apr 20, 2011 at 10:33 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
'11 C63, '22 GLS 63, Porsches, M3, M4
The car has an engine to make it go faster, and brakes to slow it down. Why not let each do its proper job? Using S-mode sounds like a reasonable compromise, since it at least lets the car control the downshifts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,677
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
C63
The transmission will be fine. Its ok to use the paddles.
But abusing the transmission will cause more wear and tear, just common sense.
But abusing the transmission will cause more wear and tear, just common sense.
Last edited by _AMG_; Apr 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM.
