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2011 E550 downshifts even when in manual mode?

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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 09:20 AM
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2011 E550
2011 E550 downshifts even when in manual mode?

So I just recently started using the paddle shifters and driving in manual mode... one thing I noticed is if I'm in 4th gear around 2-3k RPM and I punch it, the RPM suddenly jump to 4-5k which suggests to me the car downshifted even though it still shows "4" as the gear i'm in.

Then, as I hit the paddle to shift up (or wait for the car to redline and do it on it's own) the number STAYS at 4, and the RPM go back down to 2-3k again.

It appears to me the car is downshifting on it's own even when i'm in manual mode, but not changing the number from a 4 to a 3. Is this normal?
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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 05:35 PM
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I have noticed that also when slowing down and forgetting to paddle shift down. My sense is the system has a lower limit override just like it has a higher limit. In your case, perhaps it is showing that throttle input could override manual as well. Manual mode is not truly manual.
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Old Aug 7, 2015 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by cc16177
So I just recently started using the paddle shifters and driving in manual mode... one thing I noticed is if I'm in 4th gear around 2-3k RPM and I punch it, the RPM suddenly jump to 4-5k which suggests to me the car downshifted even though it still shows "4" as the gear i'm in.

Then, as I hit the paddle to shift up (or wait for the car to redline and do it on it's own) the number STAYS at 4, and the RPM go back down to 2-3k again.

It appears to me the car is downshifting on it's own even when i'm in manual mode, but not changing the number from a 4 to a 3. Is this normal?
Yes, that's normal. The paddle shifters and gear indication will act as an upper limit. If you are merging on to the highway and have it in 4th gear and then floor it, the transmission will downshift. I believe if you peg the rev limiter in whatever gear you have selected it will automatically upshift as well. Only AMG's will hold a gear at redline.

You can hold down the the downshift paddle and it will automatically drop you into the correct gear based on speed if you are looking to launch on an on ramp etc. Then right click away.
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Old Aug 7, 2015 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Grego3031
Yes, that's normal. The paddle shifters and gear indication will act as an upper limit. If you are merging on to the highway and have it in 4th gear and then floor it, the transmission will downshift. I believe if you peg the rev limiter in whatever gear you have selected it will automatically upshift as well. Only AMG's will hold a gear at redline.

You can hold down the the downshift paddle and it will automatically drop you into the correct gear based on speed if you are looking to launch on an on ramp etc. Then right click away.
Yes, like Grego posts the manual mode only sets the highest gear limit, i.e. the transmission still works as automatic by will not change to higher than what is selected unless you red line the revs and the car will upshift to protect the engine.

Last edited by Arrie; Aug 8, 2015 at 04:38 PM.
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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
Yes, like Grego posts the manual mode only sets the highest gear limit, i.e. The transmission still works as automatic by will not change to higher than what is selected unless you red line the revs and the car will upshift to protect the engine.
Gotcha. Thanks for the responses guys! I never knew I could hold the down/up paddles to automatically shift to lowest gear/D which is SWEET!

That's one of the main reasons I hadn't used my paddles much... this is my first automatic in 10 years so i'm used to just shifting from 6th to 3rd or whatever it is... pressing the paddles three times down/up was annoying to me but holding is way better!

The more I drive this car the more I realize MB has thought of everything
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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by cc16177
Gotcha. Thanks for the responses guys! I never knew I could hold the down/up paddles to automatically shift to lowest gear/D which is SWEET!

That's one of the main reasons I hadn't used my paddles much... this is my first automatic in 10 years so i'm used to just shifting from 6th to 3rd or whatever it is... pressing the paddles three times down/up was annoying to me but holding is way better!

The more I drive this car the more I realize MB has thought of everything

I would like to use the manual shifting way more than what I do but as I cannot hear the engine I end up revving the engine way higher than I like.


But I do use the shifter sometimes on 2-lane highways to pass where room can be limited. Holding that left side paddle for a couple seconds really sets the gear that gives you the best acceleration but you need to be quick hitting the right side not to red line it.
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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Arrie
I would like to use the manual shifting way more than what I do but as I cannot hear the engine I end up revving the engine way higher than I like.
LOL. Can't tell you how many times I don't noticed the engine is rev'ed up to 4k rpm as I cruise along. This and the lag in gear changes are the only downside to the paddles IMO.
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