dlinjuly2009

So it's-so been awhile since I drove a manual, let alone a 7-speed.
I believe that you push the stick to the left to downshift to lower gears 1, 2 and 3 and push the stick right to upshift to gears 4,5,6,7?
If you just downshift will it upshift automatically?
Any damage to the transmission if it's done improperly?

MB_Owner

I haven't tried this since I'm still in the engine break-in period. However, I believe these two notes in the Interactive Owner's Manual will answer your question about any possible transmission damage:

"To prevent the engine from overrevving, the automatic transmission does not shift down if you push the selector lever towards D- while driving at too high a speed."

"If the maximum engine speed for the shift range is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts up in order to prevent the engine from overrevving, even if the shift range is restricted."

The referenced page seems to be about the same as what's in the Owner's Manual as far as how to use Touchshift.

dlinjuly2009

Thanks MB_Owner. I also found this at MB's Canada site:

" Fast gear-change using the principle of repeated downshift

When the driver switches down rapidly through the gears (kickdown), the new transmission does not always select the individual gears in strict order. Instead, 7G-TRONIC will miss out a particular gear if necessary, switching from seventh gear straight down to fifth, for example, and from there directly to third. In this situation, only two gear changes are actually required – instead of the normal four – in order to accelerate quickly using kickdown.

Shift quality, meanwhile, also hits new heights. The new transmission glides through the gears extremely smoothly and yet with impressive speed. Gear-change is barely noticeable, especially in the higher gears."

BostonPrince

Left shift lowers the gears and right shift takes them higher (depending on the gear at which you are traveling)...but the computer does overide as MB owner suggested.
There is no 7gear, it is 6 forward plus 1 reverse...
Bp

MB_Owner

Didn't know that. Never crossed my mind that M-B advertising would count reverse as one of the transmission's seven gears! I (incorrectly you say) assumed a seven speed automatic transmission meant seven forward speeds.

NYCGLK

NO

7 forward, 2 reverse

BostonPrince

Thanks NYCGLK:

But am unable to see the D7 when I turn the gear shift to the right.

At high speeds when I turn the shift to the left, I see D5, my impression was that if it had 7 forward, then it would have been D6.

Help us understand, including the 2 reverse....

NYCGLK

I have detailed specs of the GLK in this nifty pdf that I actually found somewhere on this forum back in winter. It lists 7 ratios for forward and 2 for reverse.

BostonPrince

Thz NYC, can you share that for my benefit.

QuadBenz

When shifting manually (without being in M mode, ala AMG cars), you can only use gears 1 through 6. The car DOES have a 7th gear which is used when in automatic mode or in M mode.

BostonPrince

Great!

NYCGLK

http://www.mediafire.com/?dndn24zz3dz

Here it is, I think that's where I got it from. One mistake I saw was about corner illumination, so some specs might differ a bit, but those would be small details.

BostonPrince

Thank you very much NYCGLK....have a good nite.

NYCGLK

dlinjuly2009

Thank you all for sharing!

chilledbenz

+1 7 forward 2 reverse

But lets face it, the manualmatic mode is just there for people that get bored easily, it has no meaningful purpose. It doesn't help in performance (see above mentioned paragraph about it not letting you hold gears) nor does it help in improving gas mileage. It does however give the driver something to fiddle with.

NYCGLK

I disagree on this one as it does hold gears. When driving on curvy roads with sharp turns auto mode rushes to upshift to keep rmps at 1.5-2k when you brake, then when you floor out of the turn it has to downshift 2-3 gears and then acceleration kicks in (not the smoothest driving this way). When using Manual mode you can keep rpms high, do more engine breaking before the corner and be in gear you want to be through the corner and ready to accelerate out of the corner. This made a big difference in driving experience.

Also if you are towing the M mode would be helpful to keep rmps higher that auto is programmed to do.

billyt

I agree, it makes a great difference if u keep the car in lower gears when making and getting out of corners, especially on mountian highways.

dlinjuly2009

I agree but try it only after he first 1,500 km. From the manual:

"Do not shift down a gear manually in order to brake.
try to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
only use ranges 3, 2 or 1 for slow driving, e.g. in mountainous terrain."

And not when it is slippery. From the manual:

" ! When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes by
shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces
wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended
period of time, e.g. on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage
to the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty."

dlinjuly2009

Went up to Whistler and back in comfort mode about 2 weeks ago. There wasn't any snow on the road but the ride (car and scenery) was really nice. Resisted the temptation to really push it because I was still braking it in, and because of the radars .

No problems with the glk. Just have to be more careful parallel parking with those 20 inch wheels. Now that I have the 17's with snow tires it will be less of a problem (thanks Baby G). Had a couple of funny incidents - I thought the engine was off and couldn't understand why I couldn't lock the car - the car is so quiet when it stops!

Finally got to try out sport mode and manual shifting. I think having paddle shifters would be better because both your hands are on the steering at all times. It was still fun though and the engine sounded sweet! Stayed in 2nd and 3rd in the city, 4 and 5 on the highway. Have yet to try optimal acceleration and deceleration - see page 108 of the manual. I'll stay in comfort mode in the rain and snow.

W210

Agree with your point about paddle shifters, wonder if we can add them aftermarket.

And where did you get your snow tire package locally?

Thanks in advance!

dlinjuly2009

W210, I got my rims and tires from back east, with Baby G's help. Check out his long thread.

W210

Thanks, shipping wasn't too much to Vancouver? How much extra did you pay, if you don't mind me asking.

dlinjuly2009

Paid $ 1,400 for rims/wheels, tires and studs. I had them shipped by Fedex ground, cost about $ 200 or so. You have to open a fedex account and arrange pickup. Came in 4 packages, tires on rims and balanced. And another $ 70 for shorter studs/screws for front tires (10 at about $ 7 each from Kal Tire) because the ones for the back are about 3-4 threads longer.

W210

Thanks dlinjuly2009! Useful info. Which wheel did you go for at the end, pictures?

And $1,400 before or after tax?