automatic transmission
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Junior Member
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2008 S550 4Matic and 2014 E350A Cabriolet
automatic transmission
Hi: Sadly, I replaced my 1999 S320 with a 2008 S550 4matic. Just bought it. Trying to get oriented. Manual says buttons on the left and right on the steering wheel can determine the range of gears AND a number appears to the right of the D. No number appears, after pushing both buttons. Am I missing something? Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
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does the tranny shift when you press the paddles? (btw, obvious observation but you realize the buttons/ paddles are on the back of the steering wheel, right? just checking)...
keep in mind upshifts might not happen if speed is too low and you request an upshift. however, when nowhere close to redline downshifts should always happen when you request it via the left paddle.
keep in mind upshifts might not happen if speed is too low and you request an upshift. however, when nowhere close to redline downshifts should always happen when you request it via the left paddle.
Thread Starter
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2008 S550 4Matic and 2014 E350A Cabriolet
OK, I am sad and also glad to have another MB! Being new to the gear buttons on the right and left underside of the steering wheel ( no levers ), I thought I accidently pressed the left button to 1, because the car would not upgear from 1st, or 2nd, or 3rd, not sure..... but RPM's were nearing the red zone. I pulled over, turned the car off, restarted, changed from S to C program mode, pressed the right button until I saw a 6. The car seems to be fine. Not sure if I accidentally did something, or if the car may be headed for a transmission problem. Am I being too paranoid?
Super Member
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
What are you trying to accomplish? are you trying to manually shift the car as you drive? Or do you just want to put it in drive and go? If just driving and go put it in D and drive away. No need to ever touch the paddles. The car will always start out in C mode. That's second gear. If you want to be in S mode (Sport) you have to press the C/S button each time you start the car to start in first gear. The reason MB designed the car to start in second gear was for fuel economy.
DON'T BE SAD ENJOY YOUR NEW RID!E CONGRATS!
DON'T BE SAD ENJOY YOUR NEW RID!E CONGRATS!
Last edited by The Thomas J; Oct 22, 2016 at 09:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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2008 S550 4Matic and 2014 E350A Cabriolet
Thanks for all comments. I appreciate it. I love my " new 2008 S550 ". I am just trying to get oriented. When the gear did not shift upward, I thought I had done something wrong. Works fine now. I don't want to be pushing buttons while driving. Q: For a regular guy like me, is C mode preferable over S mode? and is there an optimum gear range that I should program. Once again, thanks for your help!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Thanks for all comments. I appreciate it. I love my " new 2008 S550 ". I am just trying to get oriented. When the gear did not shift upward, I thought I had done something wrong. Works fine now. I don't want to be pushing buttons while driving. Q: For a regular guy like me, is C mode preferable over S mode? and is there an optimum gear range that I should program. Once again, thanks for your help!
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Super Member
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
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In the S class they are steering wheel mounted. Just put the car in drive as you would do with any other car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I honestly don't think there is ever a good reason to have paddle shifters (or buttons in your case) with a regular slush-box tranny. Those should be reserved for SMG or DSG trannys only where they actually have a legitimate use.
