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Dumb question: how can I reduce throttle pedal sensitivity?
The car is too jerky in first gear because I'm a ****ty driver and the roads arent that great near me. If I dont keep my feet perfectly still, or if I hit a small bump, then the car will accelerate forward or backward due to the high torque and high engine brake resistance.
Basically, as an example, there is no difference between depressing the pedal 25% vs 100%, since even at 25% the engine is WOT already. I would like to use more of the pedal, if that makes sense. I want WOT to actually be near 100%. This would give me way more control. I run a EC tune, is this something they can change for me?
In b4 "use a higher gear"
Last edited by NotABaller; 07-25-2017 at 12:40 PM.
The only way would be through a tune, so if you have one already, I'd talk to EC about perhaps changing the sensitivity curve of the drive by wire system.
Why do you guys actually want WOT to be 25% pedal? What functional benefit does this give you over having WOT be, say, 50% or 75%? In my opinion, this was a trick by manufacturers to make us feel like their cars are faster than they actually are. I want more control over my car.
I don't know where you're getting that from, because on my car 100% WOT is a lot different than 25% gas pedal.
I'm just making up the 25% figure as an example, because I obviously don't know exactly what that % is. Maybe its actually around 50%. In any case, I think I'd be better off if 100% WOT was pushed further back.
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Originally Posted by NotABaller
I'm just making up the 25% figure as an example, because I obviously don't know exactly what that % is. Maybe its actually around 50%. In any case, I think I'd be better off if 100% WOT was pushed further back.
Same goes for 50%. My car behaves much differently with my foot mashed to the floor than it does at 25, 50, or 75, or anywhere in between.
Not sure what your prior Auto ownership has been but like the others have said, there is quite a bit of difference of power output based on the various angles of the go pedal.
The workaround if you choose, is to drive in comfort mode so that you will have 2nd gear starts.
Ok ok I get it, I guess I'm just being a girl LOL. Need some more seat time with this beast. Too much power.... Great excuse for why I need to go outside for a drive: "babe I'm just practicing driving my car, it's for your safety"
I've noticed that being fully warmed up makes a difference when starting in S or S+ in first gear. Also, coming to a complete stop keeps it from bucking on those stop/starts too.
Even with all that, finesse and feathering that pedal upon go is what's required.
i think a driver's ability to handle an aggressively programmed drive-by-wire system depends upon his prior experience with performance oriented cars or motorcycles. The more he has driven "performance" cars or bikes in the past, the easier it becomes to more comfortably meter the throttle.
Motorcycles especially are great "training grounds" for throttle control, as their power to weight ratio is much better than that of cars, and ANY large displacement motorcycle, whether a cruiser or a crotch rocket, requires a well calibrated throttle hand to prevent quick disaster!
Notaballer is a relatively young guy, especially within this forum. He also has only had the C63 a couple of months. Also, some people have great physical sensitivity while others do not. Don't discourage him. Just encourage him to "get more practice" by driving the C63 more.
I always remember the story about Bill Cosby and the car that Carroll Shelby built for him. This was decades ago (1960s I think) when a "fast car", even a Shelby, had maybe 300rwhp at most (They claimed a lot more but used "Gross" hp versus net hp), but the throttle linkages were deliberately aggressive on the faster cars to make them seem even faster. The first time Cosby drove his Shelby, the throttle sensitivity scared him so much he ultimately asked Shelby to buy the car back. No kidding. Cosby even did a comedy monologue on it, which was funny as Hell - I recall hearing it when I was still in high school.
I think he has a point, guys. I am new to the W204 C63 and find the go pedal to feel non-linear; it has more of a geometric feel; i.e. more than 10% of output when the pedal is at 10%, etc. This is not based on scientific empirical data, it is a "feel" thing. I have come to this world from the W211 E55, which had a go pedal that felt much more linear, and less jerky. I am loving this new car the more I drive it, but it has taken, and continues to take, some adjustments to my driving style and technique. From 1st gear, the pedal can feel jerky, and at the other end of the spectrum, when slowing down, the car has tremendous engine-braking attributes. I can punch it for a quarter mile, then release the go pedal, not even use the brakes, and the car will come to a natural stop in time for an approaching stop light. I love these attributes, but they are different to new drivers like me and perhaps the OP. I love the car, but again, it takes getting used to, depending on from what driving experience the driver has arrived. And I am more than happy in learning how to drive it.
But to echo the point others have made, C mode starting in 2nd gear is the "chill" mode, in terms of less jerkiness.
I've noticed that being fully warmed up makes a difference when starting in S or S+ in first gear. Also, coming to a complete stop keeps it from bucking on those stop/starts too.
Even with all that, finesse and feathering that pedal upon go is what's required.
Well said: "finesse and feathering..." These were the words I was searching for earlier.
I think non-linear is the correct way to put it, and my previous car (2009 WRX) had the same characteristic. Its just way more magnified in this car because of the higher power. I know to start it in comfort mode. This is more for when I'm cruising/driving around in M mode and need to take a left turn from a stop. I'll be turning in 1st gear all the way up to 4k rpm and if I'm not careful with my footing then it can be a little bumpy.
I'm almost 100% sure that completely flooring the pedal vs hammering it to something like 72.3% will have the same effect. At least on my car. I will have to go test this some more, and I look forward to this!!!
i think a driver's ability to handle an aggressively programmed drive-by-wire system depends upon his prior experience with performance oriented cars or motorcycles. The more he has driven "performance" cars or bikes in the past, the easier it becomes to more comfortably meter the throttle.
Motorcycles especially are great "training grounds" for throttle control, as their power to weight ratio is much better than that of cars, and ANY large displacement motorcycle, whether a cruiser or a crotch rocket, requires a well calibrated throttle hand to prevent quick disaster!
Notaballer is a relatively young guy, especially within this forum. He also has only had the C63 a couple of months. Also, some people have great physical sensitivity while others do not. Don't discourage him. Just encourage him to "get more practice" by driving the C63 more.
I always remember the story about Bill Cosby and the car that Carroll Shelby built for him. This was decades ago (1960s I think) when a "fast car", even a Shelby, had maybe 300rwhp at most (They claimed a lot more but used "Gross" hp versus net hp), but the throttle linkages were deliberately aggressive on the faster cars to make them seem even faster. The first time Cosby drove his Shelby, the throttle sensitivity scared him so much he ultimately asked Shelby to buy the car back. No kidding. Cosby even did a comedy monologue on it, which was funny as Hell - I recall hearing it when I was still in high school.
So please, ease up on Notaballer.
Jim G
Haha the enforcer has come to defend his rookie! I love it!!
07-25-2017, 12:38 PM
