Do you use the paddle shifters?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Do you use the paddle shifters?
I grew up driving stick shifts. I find the paddle shifters unnatural in feel.
The few times I have used the paddles for extended periods - it is nice to be in a rev band / optimum gear where both immediate power and engine braking is available.
Today I was trying again and found myself driving at 4,000 rpm in say 3rd gear ... waiting for a break in traffic to hit the gas & upshift.
When in automatic mode the revs at 4,000 +/- as the car shifts under steady acceleration - the car sounds so good.
When cruising at 4,000 rpm - I feel like I am pushing the car too hard.
The trick of holding the down shift paddle and the car shifting down on its own to the optimal gear ... is great.
Your thoughts? Suggestions?
Leave it in Drive and let the automatic transmission do the work - is my typical thought.
The few times I have used the paddles for extended periods - it is nice to be in a rev band / optimum gear where both immediate power and engine braking is available.
Today I was trying again and found myself driving at 4,000 rpm in say 3rd gear ... waiting for a break in traffic to hit the gas & upshift.
When in automatic mode the revs at 4,000 +/- as the car shifts under steady acceleration - the car sounds so good.
When cruising at 4,000 rpm - I feel like I am pushing the car too hard.
The trick of holding the down shift paddle and the car shifting down on its own to the optimal gear ... is great.
Your thoughts? Suggestions?
Leave it in Drive and let the automatic transmission do the work - is my typical thought.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
My manual overdrive last for about 10 seconds and unless I do extreme maneuver, it will switch back to automatic.
Pretty useless as I need to do DPF regeneration, what call for low speed at high rpm and 10 miles of distance was constant gear correction.
Pretty useless as I need to do DPF regeneration, what call for low speed at high rpm and 10 miles of distance was constant gear correction.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Do you mean your manual down shift by hitting the - (left hand) paddle? That should hold as long as you want till red line ... then automatically will up shift for you.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Is the car not designed to do that, for fuel economy? Maybe MB has already optimised that.
A different use for manual paddle shifting - I had not thought of.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Mountaintop, PA
'14 W212 Sport, '52 MG TD, '21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
The only time I've used them is driving down the mountain in snow. Other than that...they're pointless. Any transmission without the matching third pedal is just disappointing.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 6
From: Pensacola, FL
W212, X254, VS30
I've driven manual gearboxes my entire life. I tried the paddles once... for about a minute. The experience brought me no particular satisfaction or better control of the vehicle here in flat, warm Florida.
Since then, they have remained untouched.
Since then, they have remained untouched.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I've toyed with the paddles a couple times.
Then I remember that I'm driving a 2-ton, 4-door family sedan and it brings me to my senses.
I agree that without the clutch pedal it seems disconnected (ie., pointless).
Then I remember that I'm driving a 2-ton, 4-door family sedan and it brings me to my senses.
I agree that without the clutch pedal it seems disconnected (ie., pointless).
Last edited by DFWdude; Apr 11, 2019 at 09:34 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
But in USA I drive 99% freeways and driving diesel, it will do fast 60-80 mph acceleration without dropping the gear.
Than in rare occasions when I need it, 7G drops 2 gears in about a second, so pretty satisfactory.
Still remember how 5G with gas engine put me in trouble few times, when I punched the pedal for cutting into traffic and transmission took 2-3 seconds to "think about it"
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 85
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2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS
I use the paddles going downhill on mountain passes, and for overtaking on two lane roads. What I do like about the paddles is when you hold the downshift paddle, it will go to the gear with rpm/power perfect for quick overtaking.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
I've only ever used the paddles just to ensure they worked. Aside from that they hold no interest to me. I miss having a clutch to stomp on and dropping the car down a gear (or two) and making the car rocket off.
Last edited by TeeEl; Apr 11, 2019 at 01:42 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 158
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From: Marin County,California
2016 E350 Sedan
I also think they are pretty useless. I learned to drive on a manual and most of my cars were manuals. Maybe the paddles appeal to drivers who 'think' they are driving a stick .
Put me on the list of owners who never use them.
Put me on the list of owners who never use them.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
If I used them at all, it is just for highway merges ramps or passing situations like other have mentioned. Two taps on the left and then hold the right to return to D when I'm settled. I have tried to 'shift' with them and it feels unnatural having driven a stick many moons ago.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
I have to say, my car downshifts pretty nicely if I apply more than a little pressure to the accelerator. Do you guys use the paddles just to be a little more engaged? Because I can't imagine the car really needs it...
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
I use mine all the time for downshifting and using engine braking in the Bluetec. The V6 diesel has lots of engine braking, so I only lightly use the brakes when needed.
On the other hand, my SL55 has to be switched to manual mode for the paddles to work, and then the car stays in whatever gear you have it in. Fully Manual, which a rarely use, unless I like to hear it sing.
On the other hand, my SL55 has to be switched to manual mode for the paddles to work, and then the car stays in whatever gear you have it in. Fully Manual, which a rarely use, unless I like to hear it sing.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
This is interesting. Does it shift back right after you let go of the paddle? If you continue to hold the paddle and gun it does the car still shift if it redlines ...
I miss having a clutch to stomp on and dropping the car down a gear (or two) and making the car rocket off.
I miss having a clutch to stomp on and dropping the car down a gear (or two) and making the car rocket off.
From that optimal gear while accelerating you can pull the right paddle (+) to match gear with a rev you want, you can pull and hold the right paddle and the car will shift back up through the gears in a second or so back to the Automatic mode ... or if you forget to upshift out of the optimal gear and revs get too high - the car will automatically upshift for you.
Since you “miss having a clutch to stomp on and dropping the car down a gear (or two) and making the car rocket off” ... it might be interesting for you to perfect the above referenced procedures. Minus a a clutch to stomp on & a stick - it produces the same end result !
I hope I got that right and made it sound interesting. I would say give it an hour and you will be a pro ... rocketing & engine braking at will.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
Thanks! I may play with that this weekend. I did do the ( - ) downshift during my lunch yesterday and found that I had to upshift... but it's good to know that if I abuse the revs too much it'll do it for me. I might have to look for tutorial videos of making the most of the paddle shifters.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 261
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From: S JERSEY/PHILLY
2007 mercedes e63, 2006 bmw 530 Xi with Mtech kit , 2005 ford expedition
Rarely .. use to love using them on my old e63 , as it's truely manual and stays in manual unlike my current e400 sedan.which kicks back in auto .. so what's the point !!!?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 259
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From: southwest US
2020 GLE 350 4Matic, 2016 E350
Honestly guys, when I think about using them I have visions of over torqued motor and transmission mounts and the cost to replace them. That kewls my jets pretty quick. LOL
Last edited by FireRx Captain; Apr 12, 2019 at 07:35 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
Yeah, that's my concern about overrevving... but I'm at 110k so I'll probably need motor mounts before too long anyhow.
