Manual mode - extra wear on transmission?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne
C63 AMG 507 Edition
Out of curiosity, how do people mostly drive? I use C mode when parking, and M mode everywhere else. In S, or S+ I can't get the satisfaction of hearing the engine build up a few revs without exceeding the speed limit by ridiculous amounts. Driving in M lets me have fun on roundabouts and punting between 60-90km/hr around town. S, S+ just don't feel aggressive enough.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 475
Likes: 36
From: South Africa
2012 C63 AMG, 1991 325iS. Ex: 2011 C63 P31
I permanently drive in M mode, from the get go.
Only time I leave it in C, is if I'm sitting in traffic. Purely because the 1st gear take off gets annoying in traffic
Only time I leave it in C, is if I'm sitting in traffic. Purely because the 1st gear take off gets annoying in traffic
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: North East
2011 C63 AW
Guess I am the odd one out. I drive the car for longevity. For the most part. I keep it in C. For more spirited driving, S does it for me. I've played with M a bit, but honestly, the car sucks gas like nothing I've ever seen. In M mode, I can go through a half tank of gas in no time and I'd rather not wear out this ridiculously expensive tranny. The engine is a monster and everything it relies on (tires, brakes, transmission) gets dominated.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: United States
2009 C63
Guess I am the odd one out. I drive the car for longevity. For the most part. I keep it in C. For more spirited driving, S does it for me. I've played with M a bit, but honestly, the car sucks gas like nothing I've ever seen. In M mode, I can go through a half tank of gas in no time and I'd rather not wear out this ridiculously expensive tranny. The engine is a monster and everything it relies on (tires, brakes, transmission) gets dominated.
Having had mine for a few years now, I'd done my fair share of occasional S & M driving (no pun intended), but several months back settled on leaving it C-mode the vast majority of the time.
Once in a blue moon I might go to S, as it's quite intuitively nice.....but encourages hooliganism; still a recovering addict.
M is nice as well, but the rapid downshifts that we don't get kinda annoys me. You know, how the auto trannys will downshift from 7th to 4th in - for instance, in what seems like a split second.......in a highway passing scenario?
I'll get to tappin-tappin-tappin and the #%^ing thing won't downshift!! Ahhh!! Well, a decent automatic it may be considering the torque converter, but not perfect. (I know, duhh!!??)
Oh, and forget about getting a downshift when simultaeously braking. Don't know 'bout you guys, but it's never happened with me.
But all that said, the engine's still a monster in C. It just drives us around like it's a Mercedes, not an AMG. Of course, until we need it to be.
Adios, my people.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 475
Likes: 36
From: South Africa
2012 C63 AMG, 1991 325iS. Ex: 2011 C63 P31
Ah, not really Marlin.............suffice to say, we'll just have to be the odd two out, so far at least.
Having had mine for a few years now, I'd done my fair share of occasional S & M driving (no pun intended), but several months back settled on leaving it C-mode the vast majority of the time.
Once in a blue moon I might go to S, as it's quite intuitively nice.....but encourages hooliganism; still a recovering addict.
M is nice as well, but the rapid downshifts that we don't get kinda annoys me. You know, how the auto trannys will downshift from 7th to 4th in - for instance, in what seems like a split second.......in a highway passing scenario?
I'll get to tappin-tappin-tappin and the #%^ing thing won't downshift!! Ahhh!! Well, a decent automatic it may be considering the torque converter, but not perfect. (I know, duhh!!??)
Oh, and forget about getting a downshift when simultaeously braking. Don't know 'bout you guys, but it's never happened with me.
But all that said, the engine's still a monster in C. It just drives us around like it's a Mercedes, not an AMG. Of course, until we need it to be.
Adios, my people.
Having had mine for a few years now, I'd done my fair share of occasional S & M driving (no pun intended), but several months back settled on leaving it C-mode the vast majority of the time.
Once in a blue moon I might go to S, as it's quite intuitively nice.....but encourages hooliganism; still a recovering addict.
M is nice as well, but the rapid downshifts that we don't get kinda annoys me. You know, how the auto trannys will downshift from 7th to 4th in - for instance, in what seems like a split second.......in a highway passing scenario?
I'll get to tappin-tappin-tappin and the #%^ing thing won't downshift!! Ahhh!! Well, a decent automatic it may be considering the torque converter, but not perfect. (I know, duhh!!??)
Oh, and forget about getting a downshift when simultaeously braking. Don't know 'bout you guys, but it's never happened with me.
But all that said, the engine's still a monster in C. It just drives us around like it's a Mercedes, not an AMG. Of course, until we need it to be.
Adios, my people.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne
C63 AMG 507 Edition
To be honest though, I generally find it shifts when it wants to shift, and I am adopting my manual shift timing to when I know it will shift rather than it being entirely in my command...
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: United States
2009 C63
Do you have the pre-MCT gearbox? Under brakes is when I get the most consistent quick downshifts.
To be honest though, I generally find it shifts when it wants to shift, and I am adopting my manual shift timing to when I know it will shift rather than it being entirely in my command...
To be honest though, I generally find it shifts when it wants to shift, and I am adopting my manual shift timing to when I know it will shift rather than it being entirely in my command...
First off the upshifts are okay; no issue there.
But to your point, which is well taken, my regular shift timing or commands are not ignored. It's just quick and unanticipated downshifts that seem to go unanswered - downshifts more for quicker deceleration (out of necessity). Which is to ask, do I infer correctly that you have the better-functioning MCT?
Either way, will continue trying to refine my technique when I do go manual, as it could be user error.
The sad truth is "practice makes permanent" - not perfect, and if I've been practicing incorrectly the result will certainly not be perfection. (Assuming the torque converted auto can do any better.)
So Kimeran, as I try to improve my timing, will try your special technique. Thanks for the advice.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 352
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, QC
2013 C63 coupe P31
Yeah the downshift thing is a pain. Double-tap for dropping two gears should work on a 85k$ car. Since it's really just a software issue, I'm surprised no one already fixed it.
Holding the downshift paddle is a workaround that works though.
Holding the downshift paddle is a workaround that works though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 381
From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
You guys act like the mct is so superior. I'd say its about 20% improvement at most. Sport plus mode is pretty annoying to drive around it since it is always just pointlessly hanging gears. Ya it shifts faster an snappier but still the same limitations as with any true automatic transmission.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
It's not a software issue. Any shift in this transmission requires one friction pack element (brake or clutch) to disengage and one other one to engage. Skipping a gear invalidates this rule of one-off-one-on, possibly in fairly complicated ways. It's possible to do for some shifts but, in general, it's a very thorny problem.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne
C63 AMG 507 Edition
It's not a software issue. Any shift in this transmission requires one friction pack element (brake or clutch) to disengage and one other one to engage. Skipping a gear invalidates this rule of one-off-one-on, possibly in fairly complicated ways. It's possible to do for some shifts but, in general, it's a very thorny problem.
Of all the problems, my biggest gripe is this one. Manual mode drops down to 1st when slowing or coming to a stop, causing significant lurch, even though in C mode, it is happy to stay in 2nd gear even if you stop. This can actually be dangerous when slowing down for a tight corner or turn as the car will lurch forwards unpredictably just when you need smooth acceleration to match speeds with other traffic.
Apart from being dangerous, the lurching just feels cheap.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
There are significant software issues with the tranny, however, that I am surprised have not been fixed.
Of all the problems, my biggest gripe is this one. Manual mode drops down to 1st when slowing or coming to a stop, causing significant lurch, even though in C mode, it is happy to stay in 2nd gear even if you stop. This can actually be dangerous when slowing down for a tight corner or turn as the car will lurch forwards unpredictably just when you need smooth acceleration to match speeds with other traffic.
Apart from being dangerous, the lurching just feels cheap.
Of all the problems, my biggest gripe is this one. Manual mode drops down to 1st when slowing or coming to a stop, causing significant lurch, even though in C mode, it is happy to stay in 2nd gear even if you stop. This can actually be dangerous when slowing down for a tight corner or turn as the car will lurch forwards unpredictably just when you need smooth acceleration to match speeds with other traffic.
Apart from being dangerous, the lurching just feels cheap.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 352
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, QC
2013 C63 coupe P31
Besides that, I'm pretty sure that my MCT is able to drop two gears at once in S or S+ modes, but I need to double check because I always drive in M
And yeah, engaging in 2nd gear in M is also a software issue, most likely. I also want to be able to shift up earlier, instead of the 1600rpm minimum, there's far enough torque for that. It should also, like my old dual clutch, store the shift up request for 2-3 seconds until it can actually shift so you can short shift much easier in traffic.
Really most trans issues are software related to me. M works just fine in spirited driving or on the track, but not in daily driving. I want to get the source code and fix it !!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Well it should be fixable by just programming. I mean all you have to do is store in a variable the requested gear, and let the gearbox do its thing until it gets to that gear. Double tap down and decrease the requested gear by two, trans would shift down, and once re-engaged, shift down again. Real basic stuff.
Besides that, I'm pretty sure that my MCT is able to drop two gears at once in S or S+ modes, but I need to double check because I always drive in M
And yeah, engaging in 2nd gear in M is also a software issue, most likely. I also want to be able to shift up earlier, instead of the 1600rpm minimum, there's far enough torque for that. It should also, like my old dual clutch, store the shift up request for 2-3 seconds until it can actually shift so you can short shift much easier in traffic.
Really most trans issues are software related to me. M works just fine in spirited driving or on the track, but not in daily driving. I want to get the source code and fix it !!
Besides that, I'm pretty sure that my MCT is able to drop two gears at once in S or S+ modes, but I need to double check because I always drive in M
And yeah, engaging in 2nd gear in M is also a software issue, most likely. I also want to be able to shift up earlier, instead of the 1600rpm minimum, there's far enough torque for that. It should also, like my old dual clutch, store the shift up request for 2-3 seconds until it can actually shift so you can short shift much easier in traffic.
Really most trans issues are software related to me. M works just fine in spirited driving or on the track, but not in daily driving. I want to get the source code and fix it !!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: North East
2011 C63 AW
Speaking of trannies, I have a question!
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Speaking of trannies, I have a question!
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
'10 C63 AMG
Speaking of trannies, I have a question!
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
If I could change one thing, other than the gas mileage, it would be the retarded lurching forward on downshifts to come to a stop....and in C. It's annoying as hell. Anything I can do here? .......I have a feeling someone is going to recommend a flash with throttle blips. It lugs you forward HARD usually going from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2.
I really just like to cruise, but this beast reminds me at every opportunity that it is ready for a Cup Touring Car Challenge. Kind of ridiculous when I drop my kids off at school.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: North East
2011 C63 AW
Nope. Not braking hard at all. Especially with the cost of a brake job, I take my time and come to a smooth stop. Or atleast try, because the downshifts from 10mph to 0 pull me forward. I guess it's just my car and not a common issue
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 352
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, QC
2013 C63 coupe P31
Could be just your car, since C mode usually starts in 2nd. Sometimes it starts in 1st when it's uphill or when it feels like. Maybe you can try a trans reset ? I believe the procedure was explained somewhere in this thread.
