SLK/R171: Question: Sport-Comfort switching
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From: Washington DC
OLD: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, NEW: 2007 SLK350
Question: Sport-Comfort switching
When I switch between Sport and Comfort, I always wait till the car has come to a complete stop.
Is it safe to switch while the car is in motion? Even at low speeds?
Is it safe to switch while the car is in motion? Even at low speeds?
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Calgary, Alberta
2005 SLK 55
No worries!
I often switch while driving. Usually it's a result of accidentally touching the shift butons. This changes the tranny to manual mode and I hit the button 3 times to get back to sport mode.
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From: Washington DC
OLD: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, NEW: 2007 SLK350
I have the SLK350 with the 7-speed automatic. My button only has 2 modes: Sport and Comfort.
To get to Manual, I have to nudge the shift lever to the left or right to choose a gear limit (1 through 7)
Anyway, back to the button: it seems like I should be ok to switch back and forth while driving. Can anyone with an SLK350 confirm this?
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From: Washington DC
OLD: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, NEW: 2007 SLK350
Awesome.. I love the Sport mode when the road is clear, but appreciate the Comfort mode when traffic is bad, so this is good to know!
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
The manual recommends only changing between C & S when you are in Park: "!Never change the program mode when the gear selector lever is out of position P. This could result in a change of driving characteristics for which you may not be prepared."
My read on this though, is that they are concerened about you changing it while you are actively switching through gears, or in the middle of a curve where a sudden change in gearing might lead to a loss of control.
I for one have been happily and safely switching back and forth for two years, with no apparent damage, or even a jolt when I do it. When the car is cold, I always start in C to keep the revs down. Once the engine is warm, I'll ususally switch to S, while on a straight section, and NOT while I am rapidly accelerating or decelerating. If I get stuck in a traffic jam, or am in a parking lot, I'll switch back to C.
My read on this though, is that they are concerened about you changing it while you are actively switching through gears, or in the middle of a curve where a sudden change in gearing might lead to a loss of control.
I for one have been happily and safely switching back and forth for two years, with no apparent damage, or even a jolt when I do it. When the car is cold, I always start in C to keep the revs down. Once the engine is warm, I'll ususally switch to S, while on a straight section, and NOT while I am rapidly accelerating or decelerating. If I get stuck in a traffic jam, or am in a parking lot, I'll switch back to C.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Washington DC
OLD: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, NEW: 2007 SLK350
The manual recommends only changing between C & S when you are in Park: "!Never change the program mode when the gear selector lever is out of position P. This could result in a change of driving characteristics for which you may not be prepared."
My read on this though, is that they are concerened about you changing it while you are actively switching through gears, or in the middle of a curve where a sudden change in gearing might lead to a loss of control.
I for one have been happily and safely switching back and forth for two years, with no apparent damage, or even a jolt when I do it. When the car is cold, I always start in C to keep the revs down. Once the engine is warm, I'll ususally switch to S, while on a straight section, and NOT while I am rapidly accelerating or decelerating. If I get stuck in a traffic jam, or am in a parking lot, I'll switch back to C.
My read on this though, is that they are concerened about you changing it while you are actively switching through gears, or in the middle of a curve where a sudden change in gearing might lead to a loss of control.
I for one have been happily and safely switching back and forth for two years, with no apparent damage, or even a jolt when I do it. When the car is cold, I always start in C to keep the revs down. Once the engine is warm, I'll ususally switch to S, while on a straight section, and NOT while I am rapidly accelerating or decelerating. If I get stuck in a traffic jam, or am in a parking lot, I'll switch back to C.
I tried switching between C and S while at constant speed, and didn't feel any jolts either.
I won't be switching while accelerating!
In the cold, I always start in C if I remember to switch it.
In traffic jams, I switch back to C, because I am easily reminded that the car is S when I step on the gas in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
shahedC
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From: Valrico, FL
2009 SLK 55 AMG
when i said while driving, i meant while engine was on NOT while driving. my bad for not being clearer. i have also changed from s to c while moving but maybe only once in a year peroid.
Last edited by jbanks15; Mar 21, 2007 at 07:23 PM.
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From: Washington DC
OLD: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, NEW: 2007 SLK350
I have been doing this since Day 1. I have switched back and forth while the car is still running, but the car is at a complete stop (still in D or sometimes in P).
Today, I switched back and forth at least a couple of times while in motion, but I will refrain from doing this again.
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
I think people are being a little too paranoid on this subject. Unless you're driving like an idiot, I can't see any damage or safety concern changing modes while moving. Besides, ESP would set you straight in all but the most extreme situations.
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In my E350, which has the same 7Gtronic transmission and engine as the SLK350, I usually end up switching between S and C at red lights. Since the E class is much heavier, while the car is stopped, I can actually feel the rear end lift up or squat based on which mode I'm switching into (I don't have the airmatic suspension, just the standard setup). This is because in S mode, the car starts off in 1st gear. In C mode, the car starts off in 2nd gear. C mode only uses 1st gear in full kickdown mode. The C mode also changes gears at lower revs.
The button is only controling the software logic. While S mode is very sporty, C mode tends to exert more torque because of the gear changes which are taking place in the middle (sweet spot) of the torque band.
I have also decided the S mode is much better for longer drives because it makes passing much quicker... the transmission can actually skip a gear while downshifting. Also, I find that I am getting better HWY MPG in S mode and better CITY MPG in C mode. In S mode, I have achieved 30.2 MPG on the highway with four people on board.
But it's all more apparent on the E class because of the car's wieght.
The button is only controling the software logic. While S mode is very sporty, C mode tends to exert more torque because of the gear changes which are taking place in the middle (sweet spot) of the torque band.
I have also decided the S mode is much better for longer drives because it makes passing much quicker... the transmission can actually skip a gear while downshifting. Also, I find that I am getting better HWY MPG in S mode and better CITY MPG in C mode. In S mode, I have achieved 30.2 MPG on the highway with four people on board.
But it's all more apparent on the E class because of the car's wieght.
Last edited by in2dwww; Mar 22, 2007 at 10:21 AM.
