The "S" and "W"
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: California
1998 E320
The "S" and "W"
In the center, by the shift knob, there is a switch that will switch from either "S" or "W." I am assuming that "S" means sport and "W" means weather. Is there really a difference when using "S" rather then "W?" Can anyone please tell me the exact difference. Will it really have more torque with "S" and by how much? Help would be appreciated and thanks in advanced.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 133
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From: Gator country
2001 e320 2004 e55
I believe its summer and winter. Winter makes the transmission start off in 2nd gear and reduces the reverse gear torque. Your car will launch better in S because its using 1st gear.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
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1999 E-320
I was told by a Mercedes service advisor that setting the car in "W" will help prevent car rollback when starting the car on a hill.
Does anyone know if there is any difference in gas mileage if you use "W" or "S"?
I hadn't driven in "S" in a long time, but tried it recently. My 1999 E-320 usually has a bit of a jolt when shifting from 1st to 2nd, when in "S" mode. Is this normal? In "W", the car was very smooth when shifting.
Does anyone know if there is any difference in gas mileage if you use "W" or "S"?
I hadn't driven in "S" in a long time, but tried it recently. My 1999 E-320 usually has a bit of a jolt when shifting from 1st to 2nd, when in "S" mode. Is this normal? In "W", the car was very smooth when shifting.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Northeast
e300d
S = standard
W = wet
In my W210 cars, the W position yields the following:
Some have said there "should" be an improvement in fuel economy, others say hogwash.
W = wet
In my W210 cars, the W position yields the following:
- Earlier upshifts
- car starts in 2nd gear
- hill-holder function
- softer action from torque converter
- lower reverse gear
- great for low speed crawling while stuck in major traffic tie-up
Some have said there "should" be an improvement in fuel economy, others say hogwash.
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John Deere
Hogwash. Simply accelerating in 2nd gear will give you a marginal gain in fuel economy simply because it will rev lower for a brief second pulling from a stop. Not significant. The point is to reduce wheelspin before TCS can engage should you be in snow. Less available torque.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
In the center, by the shift knob, there is a switch that will switch from either "S" or "W." I am assuming that "S" means sport and "W" means weather. Is there really a difference when using "S" rather then "W?" Can anyone please tell me the exact difference. Will it really have more torque with "S" and by how much? Help would be appreciated and thanks in advanced.
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.
Important! 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.
