c/s button
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2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
c/s button
the manual says to select the c/s button that changes the transmission program only when in park. anyone know why this is and if there are risks to doing this while in drive/in motion?
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2015 GL450
Yeah, I do too. But be honest -- do you think pushing it makes any discernible difference? I honestly cannot feel any difference. Even the track testers at some magazine said the same.
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From: Montreal, Canada
'10 ML550, 996 G T 3
Pulling off from a light in 1st instead of 2nd feels (and sounds
) very different to me. Subsequent shifts are just slightly crisper and occur at higher revs.I just wished that it would save the last setting chosen, instead of resetting to "C" all the time.
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
They recommend not changing the mode when driving because it alters the steering response, suspension, transmission shifting, etc. Theoretically if you were making a serious maneuver and you hit the button, it could cause you to lose control.
My thought is that if there was a serious risk, MB would program the button so that it could only be activated when the car is stopped (same as navi destination input). Changing the driving mode while in motion certainly will not damage the car in any way unless you hit something!
My thought is that if there was a serious risk, MB would program the button so that it could only be activated when the car is stopped (same as navi destination input). Changing the driving mode while in motion certainly will not damage the car in any way unless you hit something!
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From: Montreal, Canada
'10 ML550, 996 G T 3
They recommend not changing the mode when driving because it alters the steering response, suspension, transmission shifting, etc. Theoretically if you were making a serious maneuver and you hit the button, it could cause you to lose control.
My thought is that if there was a serious risk, MB would program the button so that it could only be activated when the car is stopped (same as navi destination input). Changing the driving mode while in motion certainly will not damage the car in any way unless you hit something!
My thought is that if there was a serious risk, MB would program the button so that it could only be activated when the car is stopped (same as navi destination input). Changing the driving mode while in motion certainly will not damage the car in any way unless you hit something!
The W212 C/S button only changes transmission characteristics.
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From: NY
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
Thanks for all the replies! I have had the car and have pressed it a number of times on motion, but just wondered if I was shortening the life of the tranny.
On the other point about noticing the difference, i definitely find that the car behaves differently both starting off (1st vs 2 d gear) as well as up and down shifting. In s the car holds the last gear much longer before upshifting and generally seems to downshift more quickly.
My only complaint about the system is that the shifts using the paddles in either c or s mode are too slow.
On the other point about noticing the difference, i definitely find that the car behaves differently both starting off (1st vs 2 d gear) as well as up and down shifting. In s the car holds the last gear much longer before upshifting and generally seems to downshift more quickly.
My only complaint about the system is that the shifts using the paddles in either c or s mode are too slow.
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2015 GL450
There is a corner I take every day. It's a nice wide 90-degree corner that can be taken at good speed. For fun, I typically accelerate hard at the apex. Whether in C or S mode, driving up to the corner in a sedate manner will give a downshift near the apex under acceleration (not ideal). In either C or S mode, driving "spiritedly" prior to the corner, the car is one gear lower and does not downshift (ideal). By "spiritedly" I mean kicking down the transmission two or three times before arriving at the corner. And the sound is glorious both ways under spirited driving.
Personally, I think this car is smart. I think you can be in C mode and make it behave like what I will call "a beast" by managing the throttle. (Maybe the E63 would then be a "wildebeast.") Likewise, in S mode it will behave like the same beast, also by managing the throttle. The potential difference, as much as I am able to determine, is that the S mode is perhaps quicker in moving to beast mode. But whether in C or in S, once the car is in beast mode, it is the same.
I find it reassuring that a test driver from Car and Driver Magazine also could not tell the difference.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test
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E-550 Coupe 2010 SE
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From: West Virginia, by way of NYC
2010 S550, '10 Road glide, '10 Sportster "48"
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didn't break the point to rev over 2000 RPM on my W212 yet... but from past experience through W209..... There was slight bump on acceleration and tone change on exhuast due to reving higher on gears.....
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From: Montreal, Canada
'10 ML550, 996 G T 3
I spent some time playing, and I don't see it. I confirmed several times that putting it in S mode does not automatically put in in 1st at takeoff. After sedate driving, stopping at a light, hitting the c/s button to put it in S, and taking off at full throttle, I still get a (near instantaneous) downshift from 2nd to 1st. Likewise, after some "spirited" driving, I could take off in C mode in 1st gear.
There is a corner I take every day. It's a nice wide 90-degree corner that can be taken at good speed. For fun, I typically accelerate hard at the apex. Whether in C or S mode, driving up to the corner in a sedate manner will give a downshift near the apex under acceleration (not ideal). In either C or S mode, driving "spiritedly" prior to the corner, the car is one gear lower and does not downshift (ideal). By "spiritedly" I mean kicking down the transmission two or three times before arriving at the corner. And the sound is glorious both ways under spirited driving.
Personally, I think this car is smart. I think you can be in C mode and make it behave like what I will call "a beast" by managing the throttle. (Maybe the E63 would then be a "wildebeast.") Likewise, in S mode it will behave like the same beast, also by managing the throttle. The potential difference, as much as I am able to determine, is that the S mode is perhaps quicker in moving to beast mode. But whether in C or in S, once the car is in beast mode, it is the same.
I find it reassuring that a test driver from Car and Driver Magazine also could not tell the difference.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test
There is a corner I take every day. It's a nice wide 90-degree corner that can be taken at good speed. For fun, I typically accelerate hard at the apex. Whether in C or S mode, driving up to the corner in a sedate manner will give a downshift near the apex under acceleration (not ideal). In either C or S mode, driving "spiritedly" prior to the corner, the car is one gear lower and does not downshift (ideal). By "spiritedly" I mean kicking down the transmission two or three times before arriving at the corner. And the sound is glorious both ways under spirited driving.
Personally, I think this car is smart. I think you can be in C mode and make it behave like what I will call "a beast" by managing the throttle. (Maybe the E63 would then be a "wildebeast.") Likewise, in S mode it will behave like the same beast, also by managing the throttle. The potential difference, as much as I am able to determine, is that the S mode is perhaps quicker in moving to beast mode. But whether in C or in S, once the car is in beast mode, it is the same.
I find it reassuring that a test driver from Car and Driver Magazine also could not tell the difference.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test
I definitely feel a difference in my car.
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2015 GL450
Yes, I do see the S on the dash when I push the button. As far as a difference between the two goes, I think I do see a slight difference in how quickly the car adjusts for spirited driving. In effect, pushing the button seems to say "we are about to take off" and if you confirm by indeed taking off, then the car responds more aggressively fairly quickly. In C mode, though, it seems that you have to do a little more to wake the car up (like kicking down the transmission a few times), and once you do the car is just as aggressive as it is S mode.
But if I am driving like a grandpa in C, switch to S, and continue to drive like a grandpa, I feel no difference.
Try it. Drive like a grandpa in both modes. Does the car feel any different? Then drive in a spirited fashion in S mode, switch to C, and continue to drive in a spirited fashion. Does the car suddenly seem more sluggish? For me, the answers are no.
Now I will admit that I typically switch to S on on-ramps to highways because I want the car to already be awake if I need to accelerate hard. In Washington DC it seems that many drivers like to race you to block your merge. My experience driving in Montreal (wonderful, wonderful city) is that the drivers are much friendlier and accommodating. I think it's the only place I've seen the zipper merge actually work!
OT: Do you ever get to Mont Tremblant? (north of Montreal) It has my favorite race track (won twice there several years ago), a great luge, and great restaurant ambiance, even if the food is mostly so-so. I highly recommend it. I'm not a skier, so I went in July each time.
But if I am driving like a grandpa in C, switch to S, and continue to drive like a grandpa, I feel no difference.
Try it. Drive like a grandpa in both modes. Does the car feel any different? Then drive in a spirited fashion in S mode, switch to C, and continue to drive in a spirited fashion. Does the car suddenly seem more sluggish? For me, the answers are no.
Now I will admit that I typically switch to S on on-ramps to highways because I want the car to already be awake if I need to accelerate hard. In Washington DC it seems that many drivers like to race you to block your merge. My experience driving in Montreal (wonderful, wonderful city) is that the drivers are much friendlier and accommodating. I think it's the only place I've seen the zipper merge actually work!
OT: Do you ever get to Mont Tremblant? (north of Montreal) It has my favorite race track (won twice there several years ago), a great luge, and great restaurant ambiance, even if the food is mostly so-so. I highly recommend it. I'm not a skier, so I went in July each time.
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From: Montreal, Canada
'10 ML550, 996 G T 3
Montreal drivers... relatively competent. Little use of turn signals, few/faded visible line markings on pavement, drivers expect fellow to be decisive in their driving and so few get offended when things happen quickly. In fact, slow indecisive drivers are frowned upon and cause more frustration than anything else. In short drivers here are generally awake.
Tremblant... I've done a few track events there in 96, 97, and 98. Awesome classic track. Flows well and is rewarding to drive. Never drove the track since it's slight redesign and resurfacing. You may remember it for it's abrasive surface making it nearly as quick in the wet.
C/S button... I'll keep playing that button with your comments in mind.
Cheers, fellow Merc owner.
David
Tremblant... I've done a few track events there in 96, 97, and 98. Awesome classic track. Flows well and is rewarding to drive. Never drove the track since it's slight redesign and resurfacing. You may remember it for it's abrasive surface making it nearly as quick in the wet.
C/S button... I'll keep playing that button with your comments in mind.
Cheers, fellow Merc owner.
David
Last edited by DHI; May 19, 2010 at 09:24 PM.
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