Paddle Shifters Question
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: NJ
'14 SL550 '12 e550, X5 5.0i
Paddle Shifters Question
When I first got my e550 I really didnt care about paddle shifters,but now I am wondering how do you actually use the properly while your driving? Any tips or advice?
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
One easy way to use them that will save your brakes....click on the left (downshift) lever to slow the car at a light or interstate exit. You can click more than once if you feel the car isn't braking enough. Give that a try. To get back to normal driving mode hold the right lever until the number (showing the gear) on the dash goes out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
The paddle shifting is definitely good for slowing without brakes,,but be aware that if you are already slowing in D and you use the downshift paddle,,u mite go lower than you expect because the auto trans is already shifting down..Found out the hard way
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From: Sacramento, CA
E350 BT
One easy way to use them that will save your brakes....click on the left (downshift) lever to slow the car at a light or interstate exit. You can click more than once if you feel the car isn't braking enough. Give that a try. To get back to normal driving mode hold the right lever until the number (showing the gear) on the dash goes out.
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
Instead of insulting those who might actually know how to use the shifters, perhaps you should learn yourself...and then you too can become a "know it all"....and get the maximum performance out of your car.
In this case, since I have already posted an answer prior to your post, I guess I am now an official "know it all".......
MBWorld God!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
ah! we have a bite!! it was a harmless bit of sarcasm.....but you obviously can't pass up a chance to flex
big fella, lol.....
it's one thing to know something, share information kindly, and another to be a jerk about it.....
and it's my experince that it's the ladder that rules.....most of the time ......
take it how you want man...........whatever okay?
big fella, lol.....
it's one thing to know something, share information kindly, and another to be a jerk about it.....
and it's my experince that it's the ladder that rules.....most of the time ......
take it how you want man...........whatever okay?
Last edited by hyperion667; Dec 6, 2011 at 05:09 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Doesn't anyone look up things in their owners manual? The operation of this is cover quite well in the OM. LOL. In any event, I hope you get it figured out.
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From: So. Cal.
Current: 2011 W212 Previous: 2008 W211 2006 550 2001 Rover 1997 W210
I assume that you never used the manual shift gate on any other automatic car either. You're probably right, they are useless technical inovations installed by the marketing departments of some of the lesser car companies to just look good....(that includes porsche, maserati, ferrari and a few others).
Instead of insulting those who might actually know how to use the shifters, perhaps you should learn yourself...and then you too can become a "know it all"....and get the maximum performance out of your car.
In this case, since I have already posted an answer prior to your post, I guess I am now an official "know it all".......
Instead of insulting those who might actually know how to use the shifters, perhaps you should learn yourself...and then you too can become a "know it all"....and get the maximum performance out of your car.
In this case, since I have already posted an answer prior to your post, I guess I am now an official "know it all".......
Knowing Hyp, you took his post the wrong way. He's rolling a W212 E63 and a W212 550 so i'm sure he has used the shifters... probably a lil less than those of us rolling w/ less horsies...
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
If Hyp uses them...then it would probably been more helpful (after all this is a help your friends forum, isn't it) to have answered the original question rather than poke at others who might actually try to help.
BTW, The manual is not clear...I read it and then ignored it other than some "speed tips" like holding the right paddle in for a bit longer to switch back to auto mode....and hold the left paddle a bit longer to drop to optimal speed for passing (which I have never tried).
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From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
Hype, I'm surprised you don't use them on the 63. I would be bouncing off that rev limiter all the time coming hard into turns, and exiting...lol That car must be so much fun.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
Im my experience, if you have shifted down for a long hill, to go back to normal just pop the shift lever down as if to put it in drive --- it will go back to auto D mode.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
One easy way to use them that will save your brakes....click on the left (downshift) lever to slow the car at a light or interstate exit. You can click more than once if you feel the car isn't braking enough. Give that a try. To get back to normal driving mode hold the right lever until the number (showing the gear) on the dash goes out.
I would rather not put any unnecessary pressure on my tranny and let the Brakes have it.I don't use the Paddles much, but when I need to get in my peak powerband for any reason for a quick acceleration burst, I hold down the Left Paddle, as it puts the car in the optimal/peak HP gear for the speed you're going, and will then hold the Right Paddle to put it back into regular "D" Mode. I don't use it for any goofy speed-racer and/or simulated video game stuff.
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
The most useful is on a long downgrade where the only other choice is to ride the brakes all the way down. I consider that brake abuse, and a real possibility overheating. That's when the - paddle comes in real handy.
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2012 E350 4matic
i use the paddles occasionally in my C63 when i decel. i dont downshift aggressively at all and it basically takes using the brakes out of the picture. i understand the opinions on it on both sides. im not sure i side with either camp. the car is meant to be shifted with the paddles so i dont see the harm in non aggressive down shifts when you are anticipating a stop.
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
I happen to believe Lex's assessment is right on.I had mechanical experience before I found another career,,and truckers and anyone in a hilly or otherwise un-straight venue knows the value of shifting.I think MB deserves an attaboy for doing it on a nice chassis like the E.
No harm to tranny,because after all,the torque going down is easier on it in the long run and heck,,its engineered lust like the rest of the car.
No harm to tranny,because after all,the torque going down is easier on it in the long run and heck,,its engineered lust like the rest of the car.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
, but do not use them often, I slow plan my landing with the cruise control stick and let that slow me down...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
lets face it hype,it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.I drove my 210 hard and it took every suprise with style.I know this 212 can too.
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E350
I always thought the paddle shifters were a bit "boy-racer" on the E350, and much more of a novelty than a useful feature. However, I leaned one driving situation where they are helpful when you "only" have a 268HP V6.
I sometimes find myself on a 2-lane rural road (think Vermont or Maine) where the car in front of me is going much too slow and I want to pass. Unfortunately with oncoming traffic and blind curves, the passing opportunities are limited. In this situation I hold the left paddle shifter until it drops the transmission into the optimum gear and the sweet spot in the powerband. As soon as the situation allows for safe passing, I can overtake the slow-poke ahead of me.
If you don't downshift with the paddles (and simply stomp on the accelerator) it takes additional time to downshift and get into the proper gear for passing.
Hope this helps.
I sometimes find myself on a 2-lane rural road (think Vermont or Maine) where the car in front of me is going much too slow and I want to pass. Unfortunately with oncoming traffic and blind curves, the passing opportunities are limited. In this situation I hold the left paddle shifter until it drops the transmission into the optimum gear and the sweet spot in the powerband. As soon as the situation allows for safe passing, I can overtake the slow-poke ahead of me.
If you don't downshift with the paddles (and simply stomp on the accelerator) it takes additional time to downshift and get into the proper gear for passing.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by BenzE350; Dec 7, 2011 at 09:10 AM.
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2002 CLK320 Conv, 2007 CLK63 Conv, 2011 E350
I don't use the Paddles much, but when I need to get in my peak powerband for any reason for a quick acceleration burst, I hold down the Left Paddle, as it puts the car in the optimal/peak HP gear for the speed you're going, and will then hold the Right Paddle to put it back into regular "D" Mode. I don't use it for any goofy speed-racer and/or simulated video game stuff.
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From: So. Cal.
Current: 2011 W212 Previous: 2008 W211 2006 550 2001 Rover 1997 W210
Why bother w/ the downshifting w/ paddles when the brakes work just fine. I would rather change the brakepads than the tranny.
Sorta like downshifting when driving a stick car. It's meant to be driven that way, but it definitely wears more on the clutch than if you didn't downshift. That doesn't mean I didn't do it when I had my stick.
Only time I use my paddles is when I feel like a kid again and want that extra oomph on the freeways while driving like that kid. Otherwise the horsies on my measly 350 w/out the paddles is usually more than enuff.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I'll also add that in my 63 just a slight adjustment of gas foot will drop it into
5th gear, sometimes 4th by itself.......so (in my mind) the added 'burden' of the paddles
isn't really needed....and yeah, I do mean while on the highway.....it's one of the best things about it IMO....thing is fast!
5th gear, sometimes 4th by itself.......so (in my mind) the added 'burden' of the paddles
isn't really needed....and yeah, I do mean while on the highway.....it's one of the best things about it IMO....thing is fast!
