JDenhamCLK320

I notice next to the shifter there was C n S button. I currently been driving in C mode. What's the 411 on this option ?? Can I switch between C n S while driving ?? Or does the car have to be in park ?? Thanks guys -JD

Mka77

Sport and Comfort shift modes. Have a manual?

ahmadk

+1

S lets you start from first gear
C lets you start from 2nd geat

JDenhamCLK320

Auto. Does the car have to be in park when switching between the 2 modes ?

togaclk55

All I use is S mode

JDenhamCLK320

what's really the diff ? Is it bad to switch between the two while driving, bad on the tranny ??

Schmitty63

i dont believe it has to be in park. i normally switch while stopped though. c seems better in city driving but more fun in s. have read c works better in snow...guess ill find that out soon.

JDenhamCLK320

So basically all it does is change the gearing ? I put it in S mode one day and notice the rpms held higher

bheng

easy test: pull up to a stop, put it in C, then move shifter to the left to downshift to lowest gear possible (shift left and hold it there), and i believe it will stop at 2. you have to do it once more to get it down to one.

S shifting to the lowest gear moves it down to 1.

i dont think it really makes a difference between the two other than starting up acceleration. and i believe its better in the snow because starting in second gear gets your car going slower than starting in first. im guessing less wheel spin thus safer.

mnje350

S is sport shifting mode, more performance, etc. c is more economical. I think it can be switched any time. If your car is 2000 or newer you can download a manual for free that tells you all about this.

Have fun. . .

JDenhamCLK320

Ahhhhh I see :

Frank Rizzo

Also in "S" mode it hold off on upshifts longer and will downshift sooner when being sporty while driving thru the canyons. It works better than most "S" mode transmissions I've driven, but I wish it did rev matching on the downshifts.

The owners manual suggests that you only change from C to S at a stop, but I switch mine while driving all the time.

mikata

Not trying to be an as* but how about using the search function?
This question has been asked 5 times last 6 months
Yes you can put it in S or C while driving.

Rudeney

The only caveat to switching between S/C when driving is that it may cause an unexpected sudden upshift or downshift depending on what the transmission is doing when you press the button. It won't harm the vehicle, but the abrupt shifting could surprise the driver. Also, (and this doesn't apply to the OP's MY2004) if you have the 722.9 7Gtronic transmission, you actually have two reverse gears (hence the ".9" = 7 forward + 2 reverse gears) and putting it in "C" mode will use the higher reverse gear, which may be helpful in low-traction (snow, ice, wet) conditions.

mnje350

Don't be too hasty. Remember he said he was a newbie. That may also mean new to these forums. We all gotta learn.

JDenhamCLK320

Thanks man the Search Function is my new buddy

JDenhamCLK320

Frank Rizzo

But the owners manual clearly tells you that this is not recommended. Bad advice if you ask me... especially for a noob

.

mikata

mikata

Well if you don't take my advice, read the others. Whats that have to do with anything that he's a noob?

mikata

So if I want to put the car in "sport" mode while driving on the freeway, I have to stop the car first at the side of the freeway, put it in S and then drive of again?
Doesn't make any sense to me, even though it might say that in the manual.

Frank Rizzo

I didn't write it. It's what is ways in the owners manual of a CLK 550 with a 7spd.

It might be different for a 5spd car....

mikata

Still, Im not trying to be an a-hole, so don't get me wrong, but if Mercedes can't make a car/transmission box that can change from C/S/M while driving they should stop making cars or hire new engineers
It shouldn't matter what tranny you have.
Mercedes also recommends filling the car with mobile1 oil, but will the engine blow if you fill it with Castrol with same spec or with no name oil that meets the requirements?

I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong and vice versa

Rudeney

Guys, you need to RTFM - it's not that changing the C/S mode can harm anything, it's that ti might surprise the driver. Quoted from page 176 of the 2007 CLK owner's manual:

"Never change the program mode when the gear selector lever is out of park position P. This could result in a change of driving characteristics for which you may not be prepared."

mikata

That's what I was trying to explain. Thanks Rudeney!