Who here short shifts whilst driving??
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
2011 M Class 300CDI
Who here short shifts whilst driving??
Hey guys like the title says who here uses the paddle shifts and short shifts? I dont know a lot a bout cars but I try and do this to put less stress on the transmission?? My car is a 300CDI and if I were to drive it without shifting it would normally shift around 2000-2100rpm. But I try and shift at around 1700-1800prm (if it lets me)??? I try to get to the highest gears as possible and as quickly as possible. I try and do this to get extra miles and save the transmission. I only wish I had the option to fully control what gears I want to use which I believe is available with certain models.
Anyone do the same??
Anyone do the same??
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
2009 ML350
who in the world told you to do this..? how does this save your transmission, when you're still going through all of the gears, and probably more of them than you typically would if you just let the tranny do the work? do you know what engine lugging is?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
The paddles are there mainly for marketing purposes, so you can feel like Michael Schumacher if you find a twisty stretch of road (in your 5,000 lb sports car...). You won't hurt anything by using them, as the transmission logic will overrule any silly use -- ie: it will change up if you try to over-rev and it will change down if you try to lug the engine. However, it is highly unlikely that you will reduce wear on either the transmission or the engine by using the paddles. By doing what you do, you just might save around a tenth of a mile per gallon, but that's about it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
2011 M Class 300CDI
yeah i meant less strain on the transmission by shifting at a lower level rpm, used the wrong word. you do have a point by saying that it is a marketing gimmick. I do like to have some control of what gears i would like to use and i do short shift to save on diesel.
