Starky_

So I recently started using manual mode once the car is to operating temps and I seriously don't think I can go back to C mode. Holding your revs through a corner is way too much fun.

I usually let the car downshift automatically from 4th gear coming to a stop which feels pretty smooth - almost exactly like it does in C mode.

My question is, will driving in M mode (say casually shifting around 2k-3k rpms, similar to that in C) put extra wear on the transmission compared to just leaving it in C mode?

I have a 2010 so the torque converter transmissions, but I would be interested in hearing opinions on the MCT as well

kimeran

I would assume so, judging by the fact that the shifts are more abrupt, but don't think by much.
I love driving in M mode, only annoying thing is having to take off in 1st gear everytime.

alrasheed1991

i always drive in M mode and my transmission died last week changed new one :P car has 100000km on the odd 2011

mr747

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CMC-63

Hmm… I almost never let the computer downshift for me when I drive in M-mode. I'm probably putting some crazy wear on my engine now that I think about it.

Is it really that bad to rely on engine braking instead of your brakes? Anyone chime in?

whoover

The old saying is "brakes are cheaper than synchros." Updated, it's "brakes are cheaper than transmission clutch packs."

m a x i m u s

should be fine with the blips.

jvanbrecht

My clutch packs are crapping out, so yes, Manual mode is more wear and tear. I have 96k miles on my transmission.

-Marlin-

Whoa, you have a rare high mileage C63!

Congrats....any other issues along the way?

jvanbrecht

There is a laundry list of problems lol.

Air Intake gasket (warranty)
Ignition failure, entire steering column replaced (warranty)
Rear window sunshade (warranty)
both rear lights cratered and smoked, burnt plastic smell, hmmm (warranty)
both fuel pumps (warranty)
Secondary Air injection failure, pump works, but something else in the chain is failing (currently diagnosing, no warranty, working on it myself)
HVAC Blower motor seized up (no warranty, working on it myself, not the AC compressor thankfully)
Clearcoat on the roof rails around the roof rack mounts is peeling off (not much I can do about that)

Had a transmission issue around 45k miles, but they could never reproduce it or diagnose it, on 2 occasions I hit the gas while in gear going left, and the engine just redlined, gears did not engage

I have consistent ticking now, not just before it warms up, I plan on pulling the valve covers, I suspect warn cam lobes.

Sounds very anemic when I start it, like it is starving for air, no fun rumble. I suspect this may be related to the secondary air injection problems, since the purpose of that is emissions, it pumps more air into the engine to help heat up the cats faster.

Thats what I can remember off hand. I suspect I got a semi lemon, but I love my lemon non the less lol.

ZephyrAMG

I don't think you have a lemon but from reading your posts through the years and judging from what you have written, you have really thrashed on your car.
I mean everything from parking it outside for days, airport terminals with corrosive Calcium dripping on it, to commuting everyday with it over many miles to work, hauling bikes, dogs, etc, not to mention the wet Seattle weather you live in...

jvanbrecht

Lol, I live in Washington DC (Well just outside it but still).

Everything else is correct, I drove it like I stole it.

jcfay

That's awesome. No one could ever argue that they got more out of that car than you have. I hope I get as much pleasure out of mine. I guess a little sour has to come with the sweet...

roadtalontsi

no manual mode has no significant wear on the transmission than any normal mode. You say your transmission is slipping... are you stock? serviced every 39k miles? Make a video i want to see this. Automatics dont work like most people think. Quicker, harder, faster shifts cause less wear on the clutches. It actually wears them more for slow smooth gentle shifts. Think of driving a manual. Does is wear the clutch out faster when you slam gears or ride the clutch? If anything it may pro-long it lol. Heat is what kills automatics.

AMG Boost

Can you describe the cars symptoms of this?

unagi1

Blips are better than no blips

jvanbrecht

Heavy slipping on gear shifts, between 3 and 4 and 4 and 5 in manual mode, about 500 rpm worth of silppage, before engage.

I should have been more specific, not neccesarily more wear in M mode, rather mid range (4k to 5k) downshifts take their toll.

And yes, regular fluid changes, first one at 45k, was a little late, second one at 85k. I ran out of time on the second one, so I did not change the TC fluid (don't do tranny flush in winter in DC when its freaking cold and dark out).

I plan on doing that in the next few weeks time permitting. I am putting together a parts and cost list for service, someone did it in another thread (also about slippage between 3 and 4), I am hoping they drop the parts list soon so I do not buy any extras.

CMC-63

I think the real question is how much blip is safe for the car. And by safe I mean relatively normal deterioration of the transmission. I typically let the car rev up 3 - 5k RPM in downshifts, and I'm beginning to seriously worry how much I'm reducing the cars life. I don't have a tune and my car typically only blips up 2 - 3k rpm in S+ mode, which I believe is a safe range.

But to be honest, I love the high rev blips. Especially with a straight pipe res delete, its a serious head turner and catches a lot of attention.

m a x i m u s

it blips in neutral.

CMC-63

Forgot to mention in the post that I was talking about downshifting hard in manual mode.

m a x i m u s

well, the blips match the revs in the box so shouldn't be a problem, unless you are downshifting when you shouldn't be. if downshifting properly, the revs should match.

glennhl

Very good answer. I can remember doing shift kits on the older GM trannies on muscle cars and we were always told that the harder shifts resulted in less clutch wear. If you shift quicker, the clutches engage more quickly and don't slip as much. And slippage is what causes clutch wear.

-Marlin-

Oh SHlT! I didn't expect that. Thanks for being thorough, but damn I hope for my sake your car may have been a "lemon."

I've got to run out now and get an empty water jug so that I can start saving for my warranty extension.

OlegKouz

I try not to abuse it too much, but sometimes you just have to hear the gears roar (especially with exhaust mods)

iyad.2010

i Dont think its because you are driving in M mode all the time

but because you are racing alot and your car has bolt-ons plus you had a supercharger + drifting