thenew3

I've been experimenting with the E vs S mode on the console. It seems the car drives smoother in S mode.

The car always reverts back to E after shutdown. Is there a way to permanently fix it into S mode? So I won't have to remember to press the E/S button each time I start the car?

(Economy vs Sport?)

The service adviser thought I was smoking crack when I asked him this question. Apparently he didn't even know there was a E/S button.

VINBENZO

I thought the E mode is much smoother than sport mode. I always leave it at e when I'm driving my parents or have my infant daughter in the car. I only switch to Sport when I'm driving alone
I don't know how your S mode is smoother than E? The sport mode firms up the suspension and it's definitely a sportier ride.
Perhaps you should bring your car info your dealer and ask about permanently changing it to Sport.

mbuster25

I don't think E and S have anything to do with supension, but rather engine and notable transmission shifting (S starts in first gear). There is no way to have it automatically revert to S upon startup. MB are you listening? Some want this feature

thenew3

I don't see how it affects suspension. I have a 2013 E350 sport wagon. It affects shifting and maybe engine performance.
I think in E it normally starts in 2nd gear where as in S it starts in 1st. What I find is in E, sometimes stepping on the gas, it takes it a while to start moving the car, I step some more then it suddenly jumps. where as in S it starts as soon as I touch the gas pedal. so no lag.

Plus for some reason in E the shifts are sometimes harsher than in S. At least in my car that is how it is.

Yes MB, are you listening, please add ability to set this mode instead of always reverting back to E.

neverlose

the 550s have a sport mode which alters the suspension not the 350s. In the 350s all S does is start you in first, wind out gears longer, and keep you in a gear lower than you would normally be in (in E).

thenew3

It does a little more than start in first. It shifts smoother/quicker.

Also the E350 wagon does have an active suspension in the back. a pump raises the rear suspension about an inch when you start the car. when you shut if off, after about 30 seconds you can hear it let the air out and watch the rear lower by about an inch.

Its automatic so no way to controller it (as far as I can tell).

hyperion667

wow, even the '13s can't do it?
no one has found a fix as far as I know,
one of the first things I do is hit the button for S

but mine isn't 2013, good luck and welcome

instantfob

E or S makes no differences on the diesel burners.
We have 400lbs torque across the whole rev range. (4k)

threeMBs

Exactly. It (S mode) also feels quicker off the line and allows a lot quicker and much more confident passing (IMHO) on highways.

BM2BZ

i used to use the s mode a lot but not any more after i reset the pcm:

https://mbworld.org/forums/5615037-post291.html

and you can do it as often as you like.

thenew3

What exactly does a PCM reset do?

K-A

E and S don't affect suspension on 350's at all. You just start in first gear, and it holds gears a tiny bit longer. Overall I felt on mine that the Sport Mode isn't so comprehensive as to really affect the cars character too much, which also made it to be overall an nicer feeling drive than Comfort as it didn't sacrifice the smooth drive yet added that extra bit of pep and subtle sharpness. Though, I had the 268HP E350.

PilotAlan

Most times when there's something that seems stupid, there's a government rule involved.

EPA requires the car has to revert to "E" at engine start, and is maximized to perform best on the EPA mileage test at factory defaults. Once it learns your driving style it drives better.
EPA requires that if the mode can be set and remain in "S" mode, then MB can't use "E" mode on the fuel economy tests.

BM2BZ

solve the throttle delay.

R-N

When all else fails read the owners manual where it spells out how the car was designed to operate...here's a small excerpt (p. 157)

Automatic drive program

Drive program E (drive program C on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
The vehicle pulling away more gently in forward and reverse gears, unless the accelerator pedal is depressed fully; increased sensitivity, this improves driving stability on slippery road surfaces. For example, the automatic transmission shifting up sooner; this results in the vehicle being driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels being less likely to spin

Drive program S (drive programs S and S+ on AMG vehicles) is characterized by the following:
Sporty engine and automatic transmission settings, the vehicle pulling away in first gear, the
automatic transmission shifting up later, the fuel consumption possibly being higher as a result of the later automatic transmission shift points

thenew3

The manual doesn't answer my original question, and that's how to keep it in S without having to hit the button each time the engine is started.

GoBlando

It isn't possible, but if it is jerky in E then it is possible that the initial drives of the car were very fast and erratic. When I bought my E used, the throttle was almost non-responsive in E (most have been driven by a very smooth slow driver). I did the reset and now there isn't much difference between E/S except for holding gears longer in S and 1st gear at stop. Search the forum for the procedure to reset the learning system.

CEB

The EPA does not require MB to revert to the "E" mode. DOT and EPA rules require that if there are different "performance" modes then the fuel economy will be tested in the default mode.

MB could have just as easily made the "S" the default mode but then fuel economy testing would have been done with that setting.

This isn't a "stupid government rule" but it is a rule to keep a manufacturer from cheating - or else you get the Bugatti being tested using one cylinder to get acceptable ratings.

Not everything the government does is a conspiracy against the consumer.

VINBENZO

My daily commute is about 40 miles round trip and I have tested E and S mode along the same route a few times. I found that the ride is much smoother in E mode even when I push the pedal to the metal. I don't know if it's just me or it's because the 2014 is different from your 2013. I can feel more bumps in the S mode.

Bigglen1

Very interesting! I'll be sure to reset the PCM when I pick up my new 2012 next week. I certainly want that baby to drive the way I like!

thenew3

I'll try resetting the PCM after I hit 1k miles and see if it makes it better. Been taking it easy so far during the "break-in" period.

mikemargolis

Hah, so true. I've never even tried the S mode.

K-A

It's prob the more snappy throttle giving an illusion of a tighter ride, I'd think. The '14's ride on the same suspension as the 13's and is a steel suspension (i.e non adaptive).

R-N

It does actually, p. 156 in the 2012 version of the manual says "The automatic transmission shifts to automatic drive program E each time the engine is started."

In short you can't make it start in S mode by default.

Arrie

Yes,

You can't and I can't but Mercedes Benz could if they wanted to.

It's just a frigging computer program setting to do.