S mode OR C mode for the Tranny
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 406
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From: Bowie MD
2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)
S mode OR C mode for the Tranny
I currently run my car in the "C" mode and I like the soft take off.
Do I need to occasionally run it in the "S" mode? so not loose that
capability if I never use it and want to later?
Do I need to occasionally run it in the "S" mode? so not loose that
capability if I never use it and want to later?
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Frederick
2000 ML320, 2005 E320 CDI
Depends on the speed. I have went from C to S before on a slightly slick road and lost traction at low speed. Just need to be mindful of what you are doing. But as stated...you can change it and generally speaking is nonsense in the book.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
You lost traction? Were you doing 2mph? It only changes shift points and whether the car starts in 1st or 2nd.
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
What should you expect to happen? Nothing!?! You really shouldn't expect anything to happen if you switch between C and S while driving I do it all the time. It really doesn't do anything besides change a few transmission dynamics. It also doesn't "go away" if you don't use it, I almost always keep my car in S and it goes into C as easily as it did when I first got it. C and S change both what gear the car starts in (in Drive and Reverse, the 722.6 transmission has two reverse gears) and also the shift point at either 5500rpm (C) or 6000rpm (S). Really. It's nothing more than that 
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; May 12, 2014 at 03:03 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
C or S or M only has to do with transmission such as gears and shift points. Cars with airmatic have the option to go between Comfort, Sport 1 (10% stiffer + lower 0.3 inch), and Sport 2 (20% stiffer + 0.6 inch lowered) which deals with suspension via the center button below the shifter knob.
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Lemon is correct, in your E350 Honcho your suspension is not adjustable on the fly as it is a traditional shock and strut design. Our transmissions are also driver adaptive logic meaning they learn how we drive based on our previous 40-50 shifts, and so I'm sure the response of the shift and other such parameters are also changed along with shift points and starting gear, but if you want adjustability with your suspension you either need AirMatic or a good set of Bilstein B16 RideControl coilovers.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
In theory yes. Throttle response becomes less responsive than it already is. You start in 2nd gear in Comfort mode and gear shifts at a lower RPM, therefore consuming a little less gas. In practice though, it depends more on your driving habits. A granny could probably achieve a higher mpg in sport mode than you can in comfort.
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
^ Truest statement I've read on this thread comfort can help you squeeze out a few extra MPG when you're driving grandma style due to throttle response, second gear, and shift points but that all goes out the window when you peg the throttle. I was surprised, I was able to get 27mpg with the A/C on on the highway after an extended trip across Colorado. Not bad for a 5.5L V8 making 400hp.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
Agreed. I see that shift points change, but I don't see how that is more "Comfortable", and the only thing that affects MPG is how I drive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
The shift points are lower in C and starting off in second gear keeps your RPMs lower than if you were to start out in first and have to shift sooner. It's also more comfortable in the fact that it's smoother without that wave of torque you get even at partial throttle in first gear.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Oh the shifts are more comfortable with it in C on the 7G since it can be such a rough shifter anyway.. but the saving gas thing, no. Starting off in 2nd is not going to save gas. And the shift points being at lower RPMs is very, very slight. The only real way to get more MPG is to drive differently.
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2005 E500
I did not know the ride height changed with the Airmatic sport settings. Cool....
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Oh the shifts are more comfortable with it in C on the 7G since it can be such a rough shifter anyway.. but the saving gas thing, no. Starting off in 2nd is not going to save gas. And the shift points being at lower RPMs is very, very slight. The only real way to get more MPG is to drive differently.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: United States
2009 C63
What should you expect to happen? Nothing!?! You really shouldn't expect anything to happen if you switch between C and S while driving I do it all the time. It really doesn't do anything besides change a few transmission dynamics. It also doesn't "go away" if you don't use it, I almost always keep my car in S and it goes into C as easily as it did when I first got it. C and S change both what gear the car starts in (in Drive and Reverse, the 722.6 transmission has two reverse gears) and also the shift point at either 5500rpm (C) or 6000rpm (S). Really. It's nothing more than that
Lemon is correct, in your E350 Honcho your suspension is not adjustable on the fly as it is a traditional shock and strut design. Our transmissions are also driver adaptive logic meaning they learn how we drive based on our previous 40-50 shifts, and so I'm sure the response of the shift and other such parameters are also changed along with shift points and starting gear, but if you want adjustability with your suspension you either need AirMatic or a good set of Bilstein B16 RideControl coilovers.
Also, to the issue of saving gas in C or S, in my experience it's more about driving like grandma than anything else. Personally, S mode simply encourages me to drive in more sporty fashion - and I do, gladly. This consumes more fuel.
On the other hand, driving like nanna in S would sometimes have me in 7th gear @ the 47-50 mph range...............normal for C, but inexplicable in S (to me.) Kinda thought about the driver adaptive logic, but now it's been confirmed. It was reading my last 40-50 pedal inputs. Who knew?
Now I have a question.
Does the steering feel lighten up in S mode? Seems that way when I whip it around corners or tight S-turns, and I've even asked a couple people; no luck finding out for sure yet. Of course, in C it seems to feel more sturdy and requires a bit more effort. Nothing tremendously different but noticeable.
So, am I feeling something nonexistant or does the vehicle similiarly adjust steering feel to match selected drive mode?
Any info you can provide or link or title to another thread is much appreciated.
Thanks.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
OK, who wants to try using the C/S button to shift the different reverse gears while backing up?
It will either be really cool, or will crash the gearbox.
It will either be really cool, or will crash the gearbox.
