"W" Mode vs "S" Mode
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Richmond BC, Canada
335is
"W" Mode vs "S" Mode
what is the difference between "W" mode and "S" mode? I know that "W" starts off with 2nd, but other than that is there any other difference? i also notivce the the reverse gear in "W" mode feels heavier. I have to gas it a lot mroe revving it to like 3k to reverse into my garage while i can just let the car roll in in "S" mode... also does "W" mode use more gas compared to "S" mode? thanks
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
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From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
Originally Posted by Chappy
No clue, sorry.
Since it feels more sluggish, you might end up using more throttle to get going, so it might use a big more fuel in stop/go city driving. On highway drives / or once rolling, it upshifts more slowly to avoid breaking loose when upshifting to a higher gear. A lot like accelerating and shifting more moderately when using a manual shift car going through the gears.
In heavy traffic (as the Bay Area often gets), the "W" mode makes for smoother acceleration in the stop & go stuff and precludes the shifting back & forth between 1st & 2nd gear, likely saving some wear & tear on the clutch pack materials. Once the traffic starts moving, I'll switch back to the "S" mode. I've spent anywhere from 45 - 60 minutes in particularly bad days when approaching the bridge toll plazas.
The pre '96 models (the 4 speed trannys) had that 2nd gear start, and the only way to take off in 1st was to really mash the throttle or there were after-market retrofits to make the tranny start off in 1st gear.
I think MBAG engineers felt it made for smoother take offs from a stop w/o the car lurching from a stop. You sacrificed some off the line acceleration for a more 'refined' feel in urban driving.
