KINGPIN 007

Hey guys

Quick question about something that happened today while i was going to work. On my way to work, there is a huge downhill slope (about a mile long) that i go down everyday. Usually when i get to the top and start coming down, i throw it into neutral and just cruise down it all the way. I have been doing this everyday now for months. Today though, when I did it and put it into neutral, all of the lights and symbols popped up on my display and my steering wheel locked and i couldnt turn or do anything while in neutral. I put it back into drive and still couldn't do anything and the car was completely unresponsive. So i pulled over, turned the car off and turned it back on and it was fine all the way to work.

My question is, is it bad for your car to throw it into neutral like that and has this happened to anyone before? Or anyone know why it might have happened so I dont make the same mistake in the future. Any info would be appreciated, thanks!

b16

I wouldn't think it is a problem. Did the engine cut off as well?

Was this the Sunol grade?

KINGPIN 007

Im actually not to sure, i think it might have gotten cut off because I didnt hear that low rumble my exhaust is usually giving me and everything was pretty quiet, and I couldnt move the steering wheel, and luckily i didnt have any turns ahead of me and was able to pull over to restart the car lol ....and yes, this was sunol grade

Why/how on earth did the car turn off?

PatSC23

Im curious why you shift into neutral? I for one never change gears in motion - or driving modes as the Manual says not to.

KINGPIN 007

I just do it for fun because its such a steep hill that I can usually just stay in neutral for almost 2 miles without hitting the gas but I guess I wont do it anymore to be safe.

b16

I put it into neutral sometimes. I always change driving modes while driving. I can't imagine why it would be a problem. And if it were really a problem they would probably not allow you to do it via software.

CoolBDPhenom03

If the manual says not to, why does the car let you?

PatSC23

Im not saying that it's detrimental to change driving modes on the fly - but if the manual says not to I just don't. There's millions of things the C63 will allow u to do do that isn't good for it. I just don't use the rationale that if they allow us to do it, its ok for the car. I can remember one time in the beginning i did it and the car was about to shift, and it wasn't pleasant when the car lurched. I must have caught it in between a shift. So I just don't do it anymore to be safe. Besides, I can usually wait to get to a stop b4 i change driving modes.

otakki

Sounds almost like an engine stall but usually the steering wheel is working, although heavier, when that happens. Is the engine is running? Similar thing happen with my other cars and engine can always be restarted even when the car is moving as long as it's in neutral; then shift back into gear. This really sound strange.

By the way, has anyone ever restarted an engine in neutral while the vehicle is moving?

alrasheed1991

Safety thing i think , any way some thing happen to me i had an ESP ISSUE that its all over MBworld but now fixed was doing 130mph + then the ESP ISSUE came up every thing is working instead of gas paddle i had to stop and turn off car then turn on , i said why dont i put it in neutral and turn off car while car in motion thats 130mph + and turn it on and it works i done 2 times had no problem lucky i think

Thaa kiid Jlee

i believe this is called limp mode, but do not quote me on it

yazid

strange thing the ecu went into limp mode.. but you shouldn't go into neutral going down a hill.. especially when it is steep.. so as to have control of the car, rather than gravity takes control of it.. good to hear no harm was done..

AMGFTW

For what it is worth I have been changing the trans mode with my car in gear for the last 25k miles and have had no issues. That includes the 200+ passes at the dragstrip doing a burnout in "M" and switching to "S1" prior to staging.

KINGPIN 007

Thanks for all the info guys. I think it might have been some sort of safety feature but im still not sure. Car hasnt had any problems since and i hope it stays that way, appreciate all the feedback from everyone

gthal

The other issue is that coasting in neutral burns gas (the engine has to use fuel to keep the engine running as it isn't connected to the wheels) but coasting in gear burns no gas at all... coasting down hills in gear is a great way to save fuel if that matters to you. Yes this is counter intuitive but true... coasting in neutral burns gas... coasting in gear and the engine cuts all fuel and the car burns nothing as the wheels are connected to the engine and they keep the engine running without the need for fuel.

b16

Good point.

noodleman

i'm sure the manual also tells you to drive safe and don't do burn outs, and i'm sure the car lets you

cavisboung

I can't imagine why it would be a problem.

CoolBDPhenom03

I thought that was just the fine print in the commercials