2014 E vs S Transmission Mode
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
2014 E vs S Transmission Mode
There's a subtle difference between my 2011 E350 and my 2014 that I haven't seen discussed before. It is in the operation of the E/S modes.
In prior years, the E mode would start the car in 2nd gear unless you stomped the pedal. In S mode, the car would start in 1st and hold the gears longer. The owner's manual described this.
In 2014, the car always starts in 1st gear and the only difference between E and S is that S still holds the gears longer. The owner's manual no longer mentions starting in 2nd gear in E mode.
Since I'm a pretty tame driver, I only noticed this because on the new dash you can see the forward gear you are in (D1, D2, etc.).
This may have been done to help address the throttle lag issue many here have complained about.
Has anyone seen this change on an earlier model?
Regards,
Don
In prior years, the E mode would start the car in 2nd gear unless you stomped the pedal. In S mode, the car would start in 1st and hold the gears longer. The owner's manual described this.
In 2014, the car always starts in 1st gear and the only difference between E and S is that S still holds the gears longer. The owner's manual no longer mentions starting in 2nd gear in E mode.
Since I'm a pretty tame driver, I only noticed this because on the new dash you can see the forward gear you are in (D1, D2, etc.).
This may have been done to help address the throttle lag issue many here have complained about.
Has anyone seen this change on an earlier model?
Regards,
Don
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
My paper owner's manual no longer has this in it. Instead, it references you to the Digital Owner's Manual accessible through COMAND. The DOM has similar language but leaves out the part about starting in 1st in 'S' mode.
The owner's manual on the MBUSA web site for 2014 is not the one I received with the car.
Regards,
Don
The owner's manual on the MBUSA web site for 2014 is not the one I received with the car.
Regards,
Don
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
[QUOTE=instantfob;If you turn off ECO then you'll notice the car likes to wait on 2nd gear.[/QUOTE]
I tried that but mine always starts in 1st from a dead stop.
Regards,
Don
I tried that but mine always starts in 1st from a dead stop.
Regards,
Don
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2016 GLE350 2014 E350 Sport
On my 2014 E350, it will always start at D1 whether in E or S mode.
while on my wife's GLK350, it will start at D2 after initial engine start.
My Transmission has an intermittent D1 to D2 lag. 3 visit to dealer in a year, they always say can't reproduce the problem.
The 2015 E350 coupe loaner starts at D2. and it does not have the lag problem.
Does anyone know how to set it at D2 like 2015 model ?
while on my wife's GLK350, it will start at D2 after initial engine start.
My Transmission has an intermittent D1 to D2 lag. 3 visit to dealer in a year, they always say can't reproduce the problem.
The 2015 E350 coupe loaner starts at D2. and it does not have the lag problem.
Does anyone know how to set it at D2 like 2015 model ?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
...just wished the E/S button transformed more than just the tranny logic, like engage a sportier suspension setting, firm up the loosey goosey steering and open bypass valves in the exhaust. It doesn't, but it'd be nice if it did. Just saying.
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2010 E550 4Matic, P1, P2
The E550 2010 to 2012 has the airmatic and you can set the suspension in sport or comfort. Sport lowers the car and firms up the suspension noticeably.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 61
2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
In my 2012 E550 4M - both E and S start out in 2nd 
- unless you floor it in S or paddle shift down then it goes to 1st.
My 2014 C63 - Comfort "C" starts in 2, everything else (S, S+, M, RS) starts in 1st.
My 2006 E320 - E started in 2 and S started in 1st
- unless you floor it in S or paddle shift down then it goes to 1st.My 2014 C63 - Comfort "C" starts in 2, everything else (S, S+, M, RS) starts in 1st.
My 2006 E320 - E started in 2 and S started in 1st
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
My 2011 E is a second gear start and also the higher ration reverse. Yes there is a 2nd reverse gear in the 7 G transmission.
In S it is first gear and the primary reverse.
In S it is first gear and the primary reverse.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
The '14 E350 starts in 1st whether you are in "E" or "S" provided you come to a complete stop. This is different from pre '14 models. Unlike earlier models, the '14 has a display of the forward gear in the multifunction display allowing you to confirm this.
Regards,
Don
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
