GLE350 - odd "resistance" issue
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22
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GLE350 4Matic (Emerald Green Metallic)
GLE350 - odd "resistance" issue
I've had the GLE350 for about 18 months now and in the past couple of weeks did the first really long trip in it (IL-FL-IL).
I set off in the early morning, in the rain, in N Georgia on the interstate. Lots of downhill driving. The best I can explain the issue is that the car was facing constant resistance. As I went down the hills at 70-75mph, I would lift off the throttle and the car would start rapidly slowing down. I'd need to keep on the pedal to keep the speed constant. It felt like the brakes were constantly on. I pulled off at the next rest area and turned the car off. There was no brake pad smell coming from it. I applied and released the electric brake a couple of times and set off again. The behavior was better but not completely resolved. It wasn't until I descended the 5% grades in TN just north of Chattanooga the the problem seemed to clear.
Has anyone else has experienced the same thing?
I set off in the early morning, in the rain, in N Georgia on the interstate. Lots of downhill driving. The best I can explain the issue is that the car was facing constant resistance. As I went down the hills at 70-75mph, I would lift off the throttle and the car would start rapidly slowing down. I'd need to keep on the pedal to keep the speed constant. It felt like the brakes were constantly on. I pulled off at the next rest area and turned the car off. There was no brake pad smell coming from it. I applied and released the electric brake a couple of times and set off again. The behavior was better but not completely resolved. It wasn't until I descended the 5% grades in TN just north of Chattanooga the the problem seemed to clear.
Has anyone else has experienced the same thing?
Last edited by aroby; Oct 14, 2022 at 02:44 PM.
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
It could be that the brakes were apply light pressure in the rain to “clean” them for when you need it. Was it only during the rain part of your long trip?
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From: US-PNW
GLE350(V167) C300(W204)
How high was the RPM? Comfort / Sport / Eco mode? I have a feeling the car probably downshifted by itself, which I also notice a lot with ours when we come down our steep neighborhood hills.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
That's unlikely, but it's the only thing I can think of that would forcefully slow the car.
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2020 Mercedes GLE350 4Matic; 2023 Tesla Model Y
Was the cruise on (powered)? Make sure it is off if you’re not using it. Distronic will brake to maintain the desired speed. I’m guessing you we’re experiencing engine braking down hill to slow the vehicle-mine will do that downhill in comfort. Drive in economy mode if you want the car to glide downhill (no engine braking).
Oddly, I and others find the GLE-350 drives better in economy mode, the throttle tip in is a little more aggressive—which is counter intuitive. It also starts from a stop in 2nd gear (vice first) so the auto start feature is a lot less jarring. The second gear start is probably why the throttle tip in is more aggressive. As mentioned above, it will glide with engine on, but disengaged from the transmission.
Give it a try for a few days. It will need to learn your driving style in eco mode.
Oddly, I and others find the GLE-350 drives better in economy mode, the throttle tip in is a little more aggressive—which is counter intuitive. It also starts from a stop in 2nd gear (vice first) so the auto start feature is a lot less jarring. The second gear start is probably why the throttle tip in is more aggressive. As mentioned above, it will glide with engine on, but disengaged from the transmission.
Give it a try for a few days. It will need to learn your driving style in eco mode.
Last edited by TexAg91; Oct 15, 2022 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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GLE350 4Matic (Emerald Green Metallic)
No cruise control. I just learned about the glide with Eco. Seems bizarre that engine braking would be used. As I said, this seemed to clear up after a while - it certainly didn't slow itself down going down the north side of the hills after Chattanooga. They are 5% grade and you always have to brake going down there.
