Do you use the paddle shifters?
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
If you pay attention, modern transmissions downshift when car slows down without driver input into the procedure.
When each shifting comes with some wear, computerized transmission have program who equalize rpm, so shifting comes without jerking common on older, vacuum operated transmissions.
Good transmissions last for 1/2 million miles as well.
Driving heavy Sprinter, or towing big boat with my GLE I don't hesitate to downshift manually on long grades. Manufacturers are saying, that when used for braking, you can keep engine rpm in red zone without danger.
Still for small adjustment I use brakes as old wisdom "brake pads are cheaper than transmission clutches" still apply
When each shifting comes with some wear, computerized transmission have program who equalize rpm, so shifting comes without jerking common on older, vacuum operated transmissions.
Good transmissions last for 1/2 million miles as well.
Driving heavy Sprinter, or towing big boat with my GLE I don't hesitate to downshift manually on long grades. Manufacturers are saying, that when used for braking, you can keep engine rpm in red zone without danger.
Still for small adjustment I use brakes as old wisdom "brake pads are cheaper than transmission clutches" still apply
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I use the paddles on my 2011 E350 coupe whenever I am driving on twisty roads or hills. I have a lot of them where I live. I rarely use on flat roads or highway unless passing someone. I use for braking at times as well. I was wondering if anyone knows if this is bad for the car. The manual seems to encourage it as a way of extending brake life. Not sure if that's done to get you back in the shop sooner for a big trans overhaul. Also, does trans fluid need to be changed more often due to frequent paddle shift use?
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2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
i have tried using manual mode on twisty roads and grades, I find that 1-2 downshifts doesn't provide that much engine braking with the M276 NA35 engine. Under the same sort of road conditions, I like "S" (sport) mode, it delays upshifts and generally makes the car more responsive, and also smooths out low speed off and on the throttle transitions where E mode might prematurely upshift then have to downshift again.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
It is the shifting that wears them, but again, computerized system matches rpms , what is minimalizing the wear.
Obviously sport mode will do shifting at higher rpm, what speeds clutch wear.
But I don't think average owner will worry about transmission lasting 300k miles
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Clutch pack is not moving during engine braking, so it doesn't car what you do at this point.
It is the shifting that wears them, but again, computerized system matches rpms , what is minimalizing the wear.
Obviously sport mode will do shifting at higher rpm, what speeds clutch wear.
But I don't think average owner will worry about transmission lasting 300k miles
It is the shifting that wears them, but again, computerized system matches rpms , what is minimalizing the wear.
Obviously sport mode will do shifting at higher rpm, what speeds clutch wear.
But I don't think average owner will worry about transmission lasting 300k miles
And exactly what “computerized speed match” are you talking about?
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
If you pay the attention, during slowing down, you will notice the tachometer will jump up several times before you come to the stop, while it is hard to notice and braking surges.
This is your computer adjusting the engine speed during gear shifting. Not only for comfort, but also for longer clutches life.
This is your computer adjusting the engine speed during gear shifting. Not only for comfort, but also for longer clutches life.
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Older boxes downshifted fine, the problem was most were rolling on high-mileage, due for overhaul units. Or the typical "hack" was to increase the modulator pressure to mask worn clutches and resulted in jerky shifts. They were slower in shifts and if you accelerated hard and let up, it wouldn't be crisp.
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2011 E 350 coupe
Thanks for all of your input. The automatic doesn't brake the car too much when auto downshifting vs. manual though. So you answered part of my question, which I suspected, that downshifting to brake puts additional strain on the transmission which will send it to the shop quicker. I would rather pay for brakes and pads than a new tranny for sure!
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Once again, transmission can take braking strain just fine and driving heavy Sprinter, I don't hesitate to drop 3 gears and have engine close to red zone on tachometer.
Just try to avoid shifting under the strain as that is what will shorten clutches life.
Than again, how much you worry that transmission will last only 200,000 miles instead of 300,000 ?
Just try to avoid shifting under the strain as that is what will shorten clutches life.
Than again, how much you worry that transmission will last only 200,000 miles instead of 300,000 ?
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
If you pay the attention, during slowing down, you will notice the tachometer will jump up several times before you come to the stop, while it is hard to notice and braking surges.
This is your computer adjusting the engine speed during gear shifting. Not only for comfort, but also for longer clutches life.
This is your computer adjusting the engine speed during gear shifting. Not only for comfort, but also for longer clutches life.
The only clutch with speed match is the TC locking clutch. It will not engage before the transmission speed is close enough to the flywheel speed.
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W212 FL
I have a question though related to manually downshift effect on the tranny wear and tear .Well, In Sport Mode when you hold the ( - ) button to downshift the car downshifts more than 1 gear of speed . Let's say you are cruising at 6th gear in Sport Mode , you pull and hold the right paddle to be more quickly accelerate and then the car just downshifts nor just 1 but up to 3 gear to respond your demand .Well, do you think this would put more stress on the tranny or it wouldn't matter as everything is electronically adjusted
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Do you feel car jerking when downshift happen?
Read the discussion above, those cars have computer adjusting engine rpm to match transmission speed, what minimalize clutch wear.
Transmission is design to take the stress.
Read the discussion above, those cars have computer adjusting engine rpm to match transmission speed, what minimalize clutch wear.
Transmission is design to take the stress.
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
I have a question though related to manually downshift effect on the tranny wear and tear .Well, In Sport Mode when you hold the ( - ) button to downshift the car downshifts more than 1 gear of speed . Let's say you are cruising at 6th gear in Sport Mode , you pull and hold the right paddle to be more quickly accelerate and then the car just downshifts nor just 1 but up to 3 gear to respond your demand .Well, do you think this would put more stress on the tranny or it wouldn't matter as everything is electronically adjusted
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
if the engine simply momentarily lightens up on the throttle, that greatly smooths shifts.
the Ford 10 speed truck transmission doesn't even disengage the torque converter lockup once its rolling, it does all shifts with just the gearbox and electronic throttle. The 10R140 is rated for 1400 Nm or 1000 ft-lbs.
the Ford 10 speed truck transmission doesn't even disengage the torque converter lockup once its rolling, it does all shifts with just the gearbox and electronic throttle. The 10R140 is rated for 1400 Nm or 1000 ft-lbs.
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W212 FL
if the engine simply momentarily lightens up on the throttle, that greatly smooths shifts.
the Ford 10 speed truck transmission doesn't even disengage the torque converter lockup once its rolling, it does all shifts with just the gearbox and electronic throttle. The 10R140 is rated for 1400 Nm or 1000 ft-lbs.
the Ford 10 speed truck transmission doesn't even disengage the torque converter lockup once its rolling, it does all shifts with just the gearbox and electronic throttle. The 10R140 is rated for 1400 Nm or 1000 ft-lbs.
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From: NJ
2016 S212
I found that it's easier to use the accelerator pedal to downshift instead of the flaps because the transmission still stays in full auto. To downshift if preparing to pass for example, I dip the accelerator momentarily and that down shifts immediately, equivalent to using the flap or stick shift, so now in the lower gear I step on it as needed to pass, or otherwise accelerate, or to be ready for the next tturn. I always drive in sport mode btw. Haven't used the flaps since I adopted this method.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I found that it's easier to use the accelerator pedal to downshift instead of the flaps because the transmission still stays in full auto. To downshift if preparing to pass for example, I dip the accelerator momentarily and that down shifts immediately, equivalent to using the flap or stick shift, so now in the lower gear I step on it as needed to pass, or otherwise accelerate, or to be ready for the next tturn. I always drive in sport mode btw. Haven't used the flaps since I adopted this method.
Just flooring the gas pedal down shifts but it seldom gives you the best gear for acceleration.
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From: Toronto
Mercedes 2014 E350 Estate (S212)
If you really want to make a quick pass you hold the left paddle down for 2 seconds. This puts the car on gear that will give you the the best gear for acceleration at the speed you are going. Then after you floor the gas pedal and get passing the car you hold the right paddle to bring the transmission to the normal highest gear mode.
Just flooring the gas pedal down shifts but it seldom gives you the best gear for acceleration.
Just flooring the gas pedal down shifts but it seldom gives you the best gear for acceleration.
Now interestingly I have full time manual if I want it, but if I’m in an automatic mode - E, S, or A - then it behaves in this semi-automatic mode where it flips to manual and then back. If I want full time manual I need to use the mode select button.
I just came from driving a manual with 6 gears and so I do dabble with the full time manual mode - but it’s not the same. If the paddles were stationary instead of turning with the steering wheel they would be more useful for full time manual. Nothing worse than rounding a corner and having them backwards when trying to use them.
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2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
huh, especially in S mode, but even in E mode, I find if I just roll on the gas hard, it shifts down as many gears as it needs to get the engine RPMs up in the 4000-6000 range where the M276 3.5 just zooms. if I don't let up pretty quick, I'm blowing past 105 MPH before I know it.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
huh, especially in S mode, but even in E mode, I find if I just roll on the gas hard, it shifts down as many gears as it needs to get the engine RPMs up in the 4000-6000 range where the M276 3.5 just zooms. if I don't let up pretty quick, I'm blowing past 105 MPH before I know it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olHr_ebA4XY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olHr_ebA4XY
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I guess this come from driving 21 and 44 HP cars, but I never depend on car acceleration for passing.
When on busy highway, I follow slow car with some distance and when I see space to pass coming, I start accelerating some time before the space comes.
Meaning at the time when car from other direction passes us and I have some space, I am right behind the slow car, already having ca 20 mph higher speed, so it takes 3 seconds to go around slow car.
Most of the time I have no need to accelerate more after lane change.
When on busy highway, I follow slow car with some distance and when I see space to pass coming, I start accelerating some time before the space comes.
Meaning at the time when car from other direction passes us and I have some space, I am right behind the slow car, already having ca 20 mph higher speed, so it takes 3 seconds to go around slow car.
Most of the time I have no need to accelerate more after lane change.
