Stupid question, and you can call me dumb
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 69
From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
Stupid question, and you can call me dumb
I have always driven stick shifts and I always knew when I need to have the clutch replaced. This is my first auto transmission car and was wondering if the car has a clutch or something.. and how do I know when it needs to be replaced.
I always downgrade using the paddles to help the brake and yesterday after a long trip home it smelled like burned clutch
Besides changing the transmission fluid, what else do I need to do for the tranny maintenance?
I always downgrade using the paddles to help the brake and yesterday after a long trip home it smelled like burned clutch
Besides changing the transmission fluid, what else do I need to do for the tranny maintenance?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Yes, all cars have clutches. In autos, it's just managed by the computer. I'm not sure when it would need to be replaced, but you would probably be able to feel the clutch slipping when shifting gears.
Not sure about the tranny fluid, but that might be all?
Not sure about the tranny fluid, but that might be all?
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
CLK63 Black Series
No, they don't. Most automatic transmissions like the 722.9, uses a torque converter and clutch packs. But there is no real clutch that is changing gears.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
As mentioned before your transmission uses a torque convertor which is different than a conventional clutch as it uses fluid to transfer power from the motor to the transmission rather than a clutch and flywheel.
Tranny fluid and filter replacement is all that is needed for regular maintenance. You will know if something is wrong with your transmission as you will feel it slipping, chattering, bucking, or not working at all. If this is the case take it into a tranny specialist and they can diagnose the problem. I would be surprised if you actually damaged your transmission from downshifting to aid in braking unless you are downshifting at extremely high RPM's and holding it there.
Just because you "smelled" something doesn't mean anything is wrong, if you think otherwise take it in to be inspected.
Tranny fluid and filter replacement is all that is needed for regular maintenance. You will know if something is wrong with your transmission as you will feel it slipping, chattering, bucking, or not working at all. If this is the case take it into a tranny specialist and they can diagnose the problem. I would be surprised if you actually damaged your transmission from downshifting to aid in braking unless you are downshifting at extremely high RPM's and holding it there.
Just because you "smelled" something doesn't mean anything is wrong, if you think otherwise take it in to be inspected.
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
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 69
From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
503C43, thanks you made my day. I'm much less worried now. I'm planning to take my car to the shop as soon as I get my check from the Valet company that hit my car. I'm going to have all the tranny maintenance done, fluids, oil change, brakes replaced, calipers painted and new wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
c63
is there anything wrong with driving around in manual and using engine breaking? i'm not driving around at sustained 7k RPM in 1st but I do frequently drive in M and rev up to 5-6k RPM before I shift and sometimes hold at around 2.5-3.5k RPM for 30-60s. usually when I break, I will downshift progressively as low as 2nd as I slow down from my original speed. it just sounds so satisfying
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Thats really not a good idea. Brakes are far cheaper than tranny work.
No, its fine to let the engine brake in a single gear, but I wouldn't downshift when approaching a light. There is really no benefit and the resulting transmission wear is far more expensive to repair than the brakes.
is there anything wrong with driving around in manual and using engine breaking? i'm not driving around at sustained 7k RPM in 1st but I do frequently drive in M and rev up to 5-6k RPM before I shift and sometimes hold at around 2.5-3.5k RPM for 30-60s. usually when I break, I will downshift progressively as low as 2nd as I slow down from my original speed. it just sounds so satisfying
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: DC
C63
Thats really not a good idea. Brakes are far cheaper than tranny work.
No, its fine to let the engine brake in a single gear, but I wouldn't downshift when approaching a light. There is really no benefit and the resulting transmission wear is far more expensive to repair than the brakes.
No, its fine to let the engine brake in a single gear, but I wouldn't downshift when approaching a light. There is really no benefit and the resulting transmission wear is far more expensive to repair than the brakes.
Last edited by driftmotion; Jul 7, 2012 at 01:54 AM.
