Switch under gas pedal?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Florida
E500, Viper, and other less-fun stuff
Switch under gas pedal?
Yesterday a friend told me about a switch or relay under the gas pedal which you can feel "click" when you fully depress the pedal (WOT). He has a C-class and was asking me if the E-class has it.
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
http://www.autopartsworld.com/merced...itch_part.html
If the W211 doesn't have a kickdown switch, it could be because M-B replaced a mechanical switch with software that reads accelerator position and other variables to decide when a downshift is needed (but I really don't know).
In high school I drove a '50 Ford Convertible (slightly younger than me) with a foot-operated high beam switch, not that it made much difference with a 6-volt electical system.
If the W211 doesn't have a kickdown switch, it could be because M-B replaced a mechanical switch with software that reads accelerator position and other variables to decide when a downshift is needed (but I really don't know).
In high school I drove a '50 Ford Convertible (slightly younger than me) with a foot-operated high beam switch, not that it made much difference with a 6-volt electical system.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
My 190E 2.3 -16 did not have that switch because it was a stick shift. My 1991 300E definitely had it and you needed to press it if you wanted full acceleration. When you pushed that switch you better be prepared to feel a kick and the engine would pull like mad!
I spoke with a MB engineer years ago and he told me that the purpose of that is eliminate any doubt about you wanting full acceleration. By pressing that switch with the pedal, you are telling the system you need all it has to offer. This was sometimes needed on the Autobahn. When I get into other automatic transmissions, I get startled when the car kicks down to really low gear and the engine revs like mad WHEN I ONLY HAD THE PEDAL 1/2 way down.
This switch is still there on the W211, but it is totally computerized (needless to say). It is still a method of telling the computer you really want full power in throttle and gear.
I like this feature in Mercedes. It makes it very clear that you can floor the pedal and the system will know what to do. In most GM and Ford cars, I find that the throttle is not proportional and that the last 1/2 of the pedal is useless (most of the time).
Just my opinion,
Steve
I spoke with a MB engineer years ago and he told me that the purpose of that is eliminate any doubt about you wanting full acceleration. By pressing that switch with the pedal, you are telling the system you need all it has to offer. This was sometimes needed on the Autobahn. When I get into other automatic transmissions, I get startled when the car kicks down to really low gear and the engine revs like mad WHEN I ONLY HAD THE PEDAL 1/2 way down.
This switch is still there on the W211, but it is totally computerized (needless to say). It is still a method of telling the computer you really want full power in throttle and gear.
I like this feature in Mercedes. It makes it very clear that you can floor the pedal and the system will know what to do. In most GM and Ford cars, I find that the throttle is not proportional and that the last 1/2 of the pedal is useless (most of the time).
Just my opinion,
Steve
Out Of Control!!
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My X5 4.4i MY2004 has it.
My old LS400 MY1994 had it.
My dads SL500 MY2003 has it.
My moms LS430 MY2005 doesn't have it.
It's the kickdown button. When you depress it, the tranny knows to kick down a gear to throw you into a better torque range for passing other cars.
My old LS400 MY1994 had it.
My dads SL500 MY2003 has it.
My moms LS430 MY2005 doesn't have it.
It's the kickdown button. When you depress it, the tranny knows to kick down a gear to throw you into a better torque range for passing other cars.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
As already stated it is the kickdown button. It is a feature of every auto transmission I have ever heard of, although if you say it's not on the LS430 I'll believe you!
If you don't already know about this, then you are driving cars that are too powerful, or driving too slowly!
I had an Jaguar XJS where this didn't work, and the first time I pulled out to pass someone and put my foot down, and it pulled away gently in top gear I just about died of fright.
It is there to tell the transmission to shift down to the lowest feasible gear. I guess now with the intelligence in gearboxes (and the fact that not everyone seems to know about it), it almost makes sense to get rid of the physical switch and replace it with an accelerator position sensor.
Except, the downshift can be quite abrupt when it drops from, say 5th to 2nd, so a physical detente makes sense to ensure that the driver really wants this behaviour, otherwise I can see all sorts of complaints about jerky transmissions!
If you don't already know about this, then you are driving cars that are too powerful, or driving too slowly!
I had an Jaguar XJS where this didn't work, and the first time I pulled out to pass someone and put my foot down, and it pulled away gently in top gear I just about died of fright.
It is there to tell the transmission to shift down to the lowest feasible gear. I guess now with the intelligence in gearboxes (and the fact that not everyone seems to know about it), it almost makes sense to get rid of the physical switch and replace it with an accelerator position sensor.
Except, the downshift can be quite abrupt when it drops from, say 5th to 2nd, so a physical detente makes sense to ensure that the driver really wants this behaviour, otherwise I can see all sorts of complaints about jerky transmissions!
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Well, most US cars don't have that switch. GM and Ford cars tend to have a very touchy throttle that fools you and makes you think that the car has tons of power, but after you push the pedal more you realized that there is nothing there. As a result, I find that US model cars sometimes downshift prematurely (especially if you are used to this feature).
When friends of mine who only drive GM products drive my Mercedes they do not think it has a lot of power because they are used to that jump at the beginning of the throttle along with the downshift/kick down between 1/2 and 3/4 of the pedal travel.
I find the German gas pedal to be very good. It is very easy to accelerate smoothly and it is very easy to really rip it up. Mercedes and other better car brands know that the throttle's travel should be used completely. I personally like that!
Steve
When friends of mine who only drive GM products drive my Mercedes they do not think it has a lot of power because they are used to that jump at the beginning of the throttle along with the downshift/kick down between 1/2 and 3/4 of the pedal travel.
I find the German gas pedal to be very good. It is very easy to accelerate smoothly and it is very easy to really rip it up. Mercedes and other better car brands know that the throttle's travel should be used completely. I personally like that!
Steve
Out Of Control!!
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I like the LS430/400's or the SL500's throttle more then the X5's.
First gear in my truck just sucks. It's too touchy for off roading and too short to accelerate decently. It just goes:
VROOM *shift* so you're jerked very hard when it accelerates off the line, and then jerked again because the engine bounces off it's rev limiter.
I have to use manual mode and let the tranny shift itself into third when I come to a stop. BMW's manual mode doesn't shift lower than that.
First gear in my truck just sucks. It's too touchy for off roading and too short to accelerate decently. It just goes:
VROOM *shift* so you're jerked very hard when it accelerates off the line, and then jerked again because the engine bounces off it's rev limiter.
I have to use manual mode and let the tranny shift itself into third when I come to a stop. BMW's manual mode doesn't shift lower than that.
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Posts: 351
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
I hate to be argumentative, but every US car I have driven has had a kickdown switch.
Admittedly, I haven't driven one in the last 5 years or so, but prior to that they all seemd to. Are you sure you've just never found it? After all, you didn;t know about the one in your E!
Admittedly, I haven't driven one in the last 5 years or so, but prior to that they all seemd to. Are you sure you've just never found it? After all, you didn;t know about the one in your E!
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by johna1
I hate to be argumentative, but every US car I have driven has had a kickdown switch.
Admittedly, I haven't driven one in the last 5 years or so, but prior to that they all seemd to. Are you sure you've just never found it? After all, you didn;t know about the one in your E!
Admittedly, I haven't driven one in the last 5 years or so, but prior to that they all seemd to. Are you sure you've just never found it? After all, you didn;t know about the one in your E!
Steve
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Looks like a button, behind gas pedal up at top.
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Originally Posted by SAguirre
Well, most US cars don't have that switch. GM and Ford cars tend to have a very touchy throttle that fools you and makes you think that the car has tons of power, but after you push the pedal more you realized that there is nothing there. As a result, I find that US model cars sometimes downshift prematurely (especially if you are used to this feature).
When friends of mine who only drive GM products drive my Mercedes they do not think it has a lot of power because they are used to that jump at the beginning of the throttle along with the downshift/kick down between 1/2 and 3/4 of the pedal travel.
I find the German gas pedal to be very good. It is very easy to accelerate smoothly and it is very easy to really rip it up. Mercedes and other better car brands know that the throttle's travel should be used completely. I personally like that!
Steve
When friends of mine who only drive GM products drive my Mercedes they do not think it has a lot of power because they are used to that jump at the beginning of the throttle along with the downshift/kick down between 1/2 and 3/4 of the pedal travel.
I find the German gas pedal to be very good. It is very easy to accelerate smoothly and it is very easy to really rip it up. Mercedes and other better car brands know that the throttle's travel should be used completely. I personally like that!
Steve
it works great for selling cars at the lot - people are a bit apprehensive to floor it with a salesman in the car, but to tap it and get a good response, people kinda go "ohh.. thats nice."
fools..
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C class w203 200 cdi 2005
Does it work even with manual cars?
My 190E 2.3 -16 did not have that switch because it was a stick shift. My 1991 300E definitely had it and you needed to press it if you wanted full acceleration. When you pushed that switch you better be prepared to feel a kick and the engine would pull like mad!
I spoke with a MB engineer years ago and he told me that the purpose of that is eliminate any doubt about you wanting full acceleration. By pressing that switch with the pedal, you are telling the system you need all it has to offer. This was sometimes needed on the Autobahn. When I get into other automatic transmissions, I get startled when the car kicks down to really low gear and the engine revs like mad WHEN I ONLY HAD THE PEDAL 1/2 way down.
This switch is still there on the W211, but it is totally computerized (needless to say). It is still a method of telling the computer you really want full power in throttle and gear.
I like this feature in Mercedes. It makes it very clear that you can floor the pedal and the system will know what to do. In most GM and Ford cars, I find that the throttle is not proportional and that the last 1/2 of the pedal is useless (most of the time).
Just my opinion,
Steve
I spoke with a MB engineer years ago and he told me that the purpose of that is eliminate any doubt about you wanting full acceleration. By pressing that switch with the pedal, you are telling the system you need all it has to offer. This was sometimes needed on the Autobahn. When I get into other automatic transmissions, I get startled when the car kicks down to really low gear and the engine revs like mad WHEN I ONLY HAD THE PEDAL 1/2 way down.
This switch is still there on the W211, but it is totally computerized (needless to say). It is still a method of telling the computer you really want full power in throttle and gear.
I like this feature in Mercedes. It makes it very clear that you can floor the pedal and the system will know what to do. In most GM and Ford cars, I find that the throttle is not proportional and that the last 1/2 of the pedal is useless (most of the time).
Just my opinion,
Steve
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
From '02 on up, the button is just a clicky button that isn't connected to anything. No wires, no mechanicals. It just lets you know you've reached the bottom of the accelerator pedal's travel.
I know, double zombie thread. I'm trying to find answers to why my accelerator pedal will only push the engine to half power. I believe my sensor "B" circuit is wonky in the APPS.
2005 E320 CDI
codes: P0123, P2135, and P1222. There's also a P0673 code which I believe means I need a new glow plug on cylinder #3...
At full acceleration (at least, with my foot asking for it) in top gear, the transmission stays in 5th and the engine gently pushes along like I'm only giving it about half throttle. No kickdown of the transmission, no kick in the pants acceleration like I like. Sometimes. Other times it works just fine.
I know, double zombie thread. I'm trying to find answers to why my accelerator pedal will only push the engine to half power. I believe my sensor "B" circuit is wonky in the APPS.
2005 E320 CDI
codes: P0123, P2135, and P1222. There's also a P0673 code which I believe means I need a new glow plug on cylinder #3...
At full acceleration (at least, with my foot asking for it) in top gear, the transmission stays in 5th and the engine gently pushes along like I'm only giving it about half throttle. No kickdown of the transmission, no kick in the pants acceleration like I like. Sometimes. Other times it works just fine.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Feb 14, 2016 at 10:39 AM.
Newbie
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2003 E320
Yes
Yesterday a friend told me about a switch or relay under the gas pedal which you can feel "click" when you fully depress the pedal (WOT). He has a C-class and was asking me if the E-class has it.
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 261
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2024 GLE 450e
Not just a switch
I have a 24 450e. No question the pedal has a point of resistance when the gas engine comes on to help the acceleration. However, how long the engine stays on depends on how quickly and aggressively the vehicle is being driven. Software and other sensors are involved.
Yesterday a friend told me about a switch or relay under the gas pedal which you can feel "click" when you fully depress the pedal (WOT). He has a C-class and was asking me if the E-class has it.
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
We found a suitably open spot and I gunned it, and sure enough, when the pedal is on the floor, you can feel a "click", and after a second or so it pops back (which is why I say it's probably a relay and not just a switch -- splitting hairs I guess). It feels little like those old foot-operated high-beam switches they used to use in trucks and vans (or maybe they still do, I don't know).
I want to say I felt the transmission kick down as I clicked the switch, but it was all coincidental with accelerating fairly fast anyway, so I'm not sure if the switch did that or not.
Anybody know what this is or what it does? I did a quick, somewhat lame search for "gas pedal switch" and found nothing...
