Ok, here’s a real 1st World Issue…. :-) Too much torque! 2017 SL550 w/ 23k. Typical scenario:

Idling at a red light and it turns green. With all nannies on their default settings in Sport Mode (and very much so in Sport +), the gas pedal is extremely sensitive. Flooring it spins my rear tires for 1-2 seconds until they catch, so I don’t do that at all anymore. But what for me and my past cars has always been a typical default of pressing the gas pedal down over 2-3 seconds or so into a ⅓-½ position now turns me into a lurching monster. Let’s say I move the pedal 2” or so over 1-2 seconds time—the car rips forward so quickly that my entire body literally recoils backwards into the seat, which also causes my foot to move backwards off of the gas pedal a little bit. Just that little bit markedly slows the car momentarily which then causes my body and foot to then rock forward, therefore blasting off yet again. My “solution” has been to barely press the pedal down no more than about ½”, and then the car takes off smoothly and accelerates RAPIDLY.

In Comfort Mode this is never an issue due to all the changes in shift points and also bc the car starts in 2nd gear so I never get any kind of lurching, even if stomping the pedal down full force.

I know there are probably several owners here of MB’s, Porsche’s and Ferrari’s that are shaking their heads at my dumb-assery, but I’m curious if everyone’s 550’s throttles are as sensitive as mine is. Offhand, 3 of the tires are about 6 years old, 1 is a year old and they are the stupid Conti run-flats. I would imagine that perhaps a tire like the Pilot’s might grip better and not cause so much burnt rubber with a floored start, but I still assume the lurching issue is due more to the high engine torque and HP vs a tire issue. Also I drive with the seat well-conformed to my body; snug and comfortable.

Did any other noobs to bi-turbo V8’s and the like ever go through this kind of learning curve as well, or does my car seem particularly sensitive? While I’ve learned to start “like having an egg between my foot and the gas pedal”, occasionally I forget and feel really stupid as my car blasts off into an intersection (with the top down and all eyes on me), does the lurchy-thing, and then I get more control and take off again. It’s a double PITA when I’m turning at that intersection and I probably look like a maniac at my worst moments. Other drivers have had the same experience in my car when they took over the wheel as well, usually followed by a few choice expletives.

 

Sport and Sport+ will change the throttle mapping.

Probably the traction control via rear brakes kicking in. It never really turns off on the regular SL's.


Honestly this sounds like a seating position issue. Make sure to utilize the dead pedal and play with your seat distance, height/leg angle to the accelerator pedal. It may help control the pedal movement a little better. I've had this happen several times over the years, especially with older high powered cars (with clutches). It may also just take some 'getting used to'.


How long have you owned the car?



Good Luck

 

You'll likely get used to it. If not, trade it for a Kia. Until then, six years is a long time for tires and they probably need to be replaced anyway. Check for signs of aging, like cracks in the sidewalls. Being in Florida, they will be exposed to greater UV radiation than tires in Yankee states. By me, my Mercedes dealership was very competitive with tire pricing.

 

Take your foot off the skinny pedal and get some better tires. The new Pilot Sports are great.

 

I know exactly what you're experiencing. I too don't like the overly sensitive gas pedal in Sport/Sport+ mode. I do love the way it throttle blips the downshifts when I use my preferred Manual mode. I wish I could customize my Individual settings to give me normal throttle response, but keep the blips. This is why I usually drive in Comfort or Economy mode. Honestly don't know the difference between the 2 yet. Maybe someone could help a fellow member out and explain the difference?

 

I’ve been thinking that too. The seats are phenomenally comfortable and w/ new passengers riding shotgun I always go through the seat settings for them as well, explaining that the car really can do tremendous support work on the body and make an 8 hour drive feel like 2. In terms of distance from the pedals, I’ve alway been more of a stretched-out kind of guy. I have snugged myself up a bit more which helps but is uncomfortable overall for my normal driving position. I sure do miss the setting on my Caddy that exclusively moves the brake and gas pedals closer or further back; that final bit of adjusting would probably fix what I’m dealing with. Thanks for your reply.
It’s been just over a year and I put about 2900 miles on it during that time. There’s no doubt I’ve learned to finesse it over time and honestly don’t have the bucking-bronco look so much anymore, but I’m still astonished by what minute amounts of pressure can do on this car. Don’t get me wrong….I love the beast! The only real time I’ve spent behind sporty cars were RX-7’s, Nissan 300Z’s and Porsche 944’s. I’ve driven better but really as one-off moments.

 

LOL…that’s funny. I’m not complaining, don’t misunderstand me! I know how lucky I am to own this car, nevermind the deal that I got on it at a time when used car prices were through the roof. I have mentioned to several people that this is probably the last V8 twin-turbo with a folding hardtop that may ever be made and it’s a joy to drive. It did spend its early life in CA and when my local dealership had a tire sale this summer, they didn’t carry Michelins(!). As I do eventually plan to drive this for half the year in upstate NY I have wanted to get the Pilot Sport A/S’s and maybe upgrade the rims as well. The tires are in pretty good shape overall; I don’t recall the exact tread depth measurements offhand though. They were inspected by 2 MB dealerships (1 tire replaced under CPO) and a local Benz specialist who all agreed that they don’t need replacing now unless I’m looking for a ride-feel change.

 

That’s good to hear that you’ve had a similar issue; I'm sure the car is fine but a reply like yours is kind of what I was hoping to see and know that I’m not the only one or that the car is tuned oddly. I’m with you in generally using either Comfort or Sport and have also wondered what the Eco differences are beyond the vague descriptions I’ve read. I think it defaults to Eco in Curve settings? But I guess Curve only comes with ABC as well so dunno how other cars may be mapped.

 

Getting new tires is obviously a great idea. Michelin Pilot 4s would be my preference. Changing the seating position as suggested will be a good move as well.

Since the car was used, have a quick look at the gas pedal and see if a previous owner may have installed a pedal box. This is a device that allows changes to the throttle response. Usually recognized by another cable running up from the pedal to the center console and then having a controller somewhere by the side of the seat.

 

Thanks. No throttle box or cables but I think it’s time to spring for the Pilot 4 A/S’s. And I will move my seat up a bit more. Thanks everyone!

 

I switched to Pilot Sport A/S soon as I got my SL550, because it came equipped with Bridgestone Runflats. They don't have good grip at all on dry pavement. Nothing like a good sticky summer tire.

 

*Blatant self promotion* If you want better traction, I have a virtually brand new set of Bridgestone S001 Extended Mobility Extreme Performance tires I took off my SL550 with less than 100 easy miles on them, 10 mo ago. I'd like them out of my garage. Want to save a cool $1000? These cost $1600 at Tire Rack. Yours for 600. Message me with interest.

 

Well, that sucks to hear. There has been a lot of love on this forum for the Pilot Sports and living in Florida they probably would be the best tire for me, but if I do plan on going up to New York at the extreme end of my trip before returning to Florida in October and November temperatures under 45 and snow dustings are certainly possible. I don’t like the idea of using the Continental run flats so that’s why I thought the all seasons would be a better model. I also thought they might be an advantage when it rains in Florida, which is a lot.

 

Fun fact. Per Tire Rack, Summer tires perform better than all seasons in the wet. Look it up!

 

Reading Tire Rack reviews can drive one insane. Currently the Pilot 4 reviews have the crap kicked out of them by the A/S’s, and the Pilot 4 ZP (run flats) have the best reviews of the bunch!

In the past few years in this forum there have been many advocates for the Pilot Sport 3’s. So far I haven’t heard anything specific yet about the 4’s.

I do think I could get away with summer-only and just leave NY before November when the temps really drop rapidly and snow starts. I believe what you say about wet roads not being really helped by A/S’s. Comfort with my ABC suspension, low noise and sticky grip through heat and rain are definitely my main priorities. I’ll probably wind up with the PS 4’s in the long run. Going to change my wheels as well as mine came pretty beaten up. And whether to go 285 or 295 in the rear…..so many choices! In any case – – this is turning into yet another tire thread, which is off of my original post. I thank those who have replied to it.