What does the switch with the W & S on the transmission console do . I have an E430

Thanks

 

Winter/Summer mode...supposedly prevents wheelslip in 'winter' mode..believe it starts in 2nd gear to prevent this. Manual should address this feature BTW.

 

W mode also upshifts at lower RPM and is more reluctant to downshift. Reverse in W mode uses 2nd Reverse. (Our transmissions have 2 reverse gears.)

 

The transmission is provided with a selector switch for Standard "S" and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) "W" program modes.

Standard Mode

Press switch on symbol "S". Use this mode for all regular driving. The vehicle will start out in 1st gear.

Fast On = Depressing the accelerator pedal quickly (not into kickdown position) while driving continuously, rather than depressing the accelerator pedal in the usual manner, will cause the automatic transmission to shift down into a lower gear. This gear shifting process is dependent on the current vehicle speed.

Fast Off = There will be no upshift when releasing the accelerator pedal quickly, e.g. using the engine's braking power during performance driving.

Winter/Wet (snow and ice) Mode

Press switch on symbol "W". The vehicle starts out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick down position.

The "W" mode helps to improve traction and driving stability of the vehicle. The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle and engine speeds than in the "S" program mode.

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

Always be certain of the program mode selected since the vehicle driving characteristics change with the selection of the program mode. Dependent on the program mode selector switch position "S" or "W" and the gear selector lever in position "R", the ratio of power transmission changes.

 

...well, there goes my Reader's Digest version

 

Would the "W" mode also improve fuel efficiency?

Thanks.

 

great..I've changed from W to S while in Drive position. If I stop the car and put in P position, and press the switch again, will that reset things? lol.

 

w mode won't improve fuel economy.
Yes just shut it off and switch back to s mode,why are you playing with it?

 

was trying it out to see the difference..till I read that you shouldn't touch it when driving

 

did not harm it,it just might result in an erratic shift mode,shutting it down and switching back will make it all better

 

Welll...with my 95hp 220 Diesel it simply doesn't have the power to get into a slip changing between W and S while driving! I always 'love' it though how I KEEP telling my wife to put it in W whenever it's freezing outside.

 

W = 'wife mode'
S = 'spouse mode'


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Love it