Downshifting
12-04-2010, 02:56 PM
#1
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Downshifting
Does constant downshifting the E63 AMG cause any potential damage to the engine or tranny?
I try to avoid doing this but it helps reduce brake dust and hate cleaning the wheels.
Downshifting from 7 to 5 also provides a good slowdown from higher speeds and avoids lag if you need to accelerate some.
Does anyone else do this? Or does anyone know if this can mess up something else? Logically, this would put stress, heat to the tranny and brakes are less expensive to replace but would be interested to hear some thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Sack
I try to avoid doing this but it helps reduce brake dust and hate cleaning the wheels.
Downshifting from 7 to 5 also provides a good slowdown from higher speeds and avoids lag if you need to accelerate some.
Does anyone else do this? Or does anyone know if this can mess up something else? Logically, this would put stress, heat to the tranny and brakes are less expensive to replace but would be interested to hear some thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Sack
12-04-2010, 03:00 PM
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Flying Spur
Does constant downshifting the E63 AMG cause any potential damage to the engine or tranny?
I try to avoid doing this but it helps reduce brake dust and hate cleaning the wheels.
Downshifting from 7 to 5 also provides a good slowdown from higher speeds and avoids lag if you need to accelerate some.
Does anyone else do this? Or does anyone know if this can mess up something else? Logically, this would put stress, heat to the tranny and brakes are less expensive to replace but would be interested to hear some thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Sack
I try to avoid doing this but it helps reduce brake dust and hate cleaning the wheels.
Downshifting from 7 to 5 also provides a good slowdown from higher speeds and avoids lag if you need to accelerate some.
Does anyone else do this? Or does anyone know if this can mess up something else? Logically, this would put stress, heat to the tranny and brakes are less expensive to replace but would be interested to hear some thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Sack
Can't help with the answer though.
12-05-2010, 08:07 AM
#4
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12-06-2010, 09:53 AM
#6
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12-06-2010, 10:18 AM
#7
I've done this almost daily since getting the car. I don't go 5th to second or 5th to 3rd very often, but 5th to 4th and 4th to 3rd I do alot. So far no tranny issues but I agree it does put more strain on the transmission and can affect gas mileage if you rev high for extended periods of time.
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12-06-2010, 01:53 PM
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12-06-2010, 03:19 PM
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2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
I downshift all the time in M mode...The engine braking on this engine is surprising sometimes...I've clicked to 3 near 6500 on the track, and with the brakes planted I was over 100 feet early for the apex a few times...I rarely actually use 7th unless I'm on a long drive...
12-06-2010, 03:59 PM
#12
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I like all of you, had these same questions. So I asked my AMG Master Tech at my local AMG Performance Center. He told me, that there isn't any need for concern, that you will not hurt the transmission. The transmission has fail safes built in it, that won't allow your to hurt it. i.e. Letting you downshift from a high RPM down to like say 2d gear, at 100 mph. He said AMG designed this transmission to do just that, engine braking. I wouldn't try to downshift from 50 mph, directly into 1st gear mind you. I don't think that tranny will allow you to anyway. I know that at all the AMG Driving Experience events, they encourage you to do this very thing. And those cars are driven harder then you will drive your car. I do agree with them, but part of me, says that its cheaper to replace brake pads then a transmission. But I get a thrill when downshifting my C63, because it blips the throttle to match the RPMs.
Last edited by Yuille36; 12-06-2010 at 04:01 PM.
12-06-2010, 04:07 PM
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2007 E63, ML350
I like all of you, had these same questions. So I asked my AMG Master Tech at my local AMG Performance Center. He told me, that there isn't any need for concern, that you will not hurt the transmission. The transmission has fail safes built in it, that won't allow your to hurt it. i.e. Letting you downshift from a high RPM down to like say 2d gear, at 100 mph. He said AMG designed this transmission to do just that, engine braking. I wouldn't try to downshift from 50 mph, directly into 1st gear mind you. I don't think that tranny will allow you to anyway. I know that at all the AMG Driving Experience events, they encourage you to do this very thing. And those cars are driven harder then you will drive your car. I do agree with them, but part of me, says that its cheaper to replace brake pads then a transmission. But I get a thrill when downshifting my C63, because it blips the throttle to match the RPMs.
12-06-2010, 04:07 PM
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2005 E55 / 2008 E63
Ahhh, this one of the reasons I bought the 63. Nothing like sliding up to a red light while ripping downshifts. Love the bug eyes from the rear view mirror in front of me
05-02-2011, 04:00 PM
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Volvo S60R (Soon E63 or C63 AMG)
I know from driving on the track a lot in my current car with a 6 speed downshifting (rev matching first) is critical as it is the only way to really avoid brake fade etc. I think from what I have read the transmission in the E is pretty beefy and made to downshift. The only question I have does it rev match upon downshifting like the C63 AMG does?
05-02-2011, 04:08 PM
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05-03-2011, 01:38 PM
#17
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The 10-11 E63 do, now that they have the MCT.
That is a feature that I wish my 07 E63 had, as I always downshift in my C63, love the exhaust note.
05-03-2011, 01:51 PM
#18
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excuse the obvious noob questions/comments:
- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right?
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5?? im use to the regule 'old fashioned' manual gear shirfter but not the paddles...
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
Thanks
- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right?
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5?? im use to the regule 'old fashioned' manual gear shirfter but not the paddles...
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
Thanks
05-03-2011, 03:44 PM
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excuse the obvious noob questions/comments:
- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right?
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5?? im use to the regule 'old fashioned' manual gear shirfter but not the paddles...
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
Thanks
- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right?
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5?? im use to the regule 'old fashioned' manual gear shirfter but not the paddles...
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
Thanks
When I pull the downshift paddle, the shift mode automatically switches to "M" mode.
A nice feature of the paddle shifters is that if you pull and hold the downshift paddle for a couple of seconds the transimission will downshift the correct number of gears automatically for you. You don't have to "queue up" the downshifts with multiple quick pulls on the paddle.
(This is a quick way to change from "M" mode to automatic mode when upshifting as well... just hold the upshift paddle for about 2 seconds and the transmission will go into "C" or "S" automatic-shift mode for you)
Blipping the throttle helps to match the revs of the engine to the expected speed of the transmission on the pending downshift. If going from 3rd gear to 2nd (at a given speed) will cause the engine to rev 2000RPMs higher (as an example) then the idea is to blip the throttle so the RPMs will be in that range when the downshift completes..... The idea is to have a smooth transistion where the engine does not cause the car to "surge" forward (accelerate) or "lurch" (decelerate) as the gearshift happens.....
-G
05-03-2011, 03:44 PM
#20
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- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right? Yes
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5??
Yes, you can use either the paddles or the gear shift.
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
blipping the throttle refers to a technique used in racing motorcycles and cars with manual transmission. As you downshift to a lower gear, the rpms will rise, blipping the throttle simply matches the rpms so as to eliminate lose of power. So AMG does this electronically, so to eliminate jerking motion when engaging gears.
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5??
Yes, you can use either the paddles or the gear shift.
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
blipping the throttle refers to a technique used in racing motorcycles and cars with manual transmission. As you downshift to a lower gear, the rpms will rise, blipping the throttle simply matches the rpms so as to eliminate lose of power. So AMG does this electronically, so to eliminate jerking motion when engaging gears.
05-03-2011, 05:24 PM
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Volvo S60R (Soon E63 or C63 AMG)
- you guys are downshifting using the M mode and paddle shifters, right? Yes
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5??
Yes, you can use either the paddles or the gear shift.
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
blipping the throttle refers to a technique used in racing motorcycles and cars with manual transmission. As you downshift to a lower gear, the rpms will rise, blipping the throttle simply matches the rpms so as to eliminate lose of power. So AMG does this electronically, so to eliminate jerking motion when engaging gears.
- using the paddles, how can you shift from 7 to 5??
Yes, you can use either the paddles or the gear shift.
- what does 'blip the throttle' mean..push the revs to the red?
blipping the throttle refers to a technique used in racing motorcycles and cars with manual transmission. As you downshift to a lower gear, the rpms will rise, blipping the throttle simply matches the rpms so as to eliminate lose of power. So AMG does this electronically, so to eliminate jerking motion when engaging gears.
I wanted to know if the E63 actually does a blip or just figures out the RPMs. The M5 SMG does a real blip of the RPMs when down shifting.
05-04-2011, 01:12 PM
#23
Member
Thanks for the great info...will have to try this....also, see below....
When I pull the downshift paddle, the shift mode automatically switches to "M" mode.
- ok, yes that I have experience by inadvertently hitting the paddle...
A nice feature of the paddle shifters is that if you pull and hold the downshift paddle for a couple of seconds the transimission will downshift the correct number of gears automatically for you. You don't have to "queue up" the downshifts with multiple quick pulls on the paddle.
- so this is how you get from 7-5 I assume...pull the down paddle for a few seconds and it will automatically go from 7-5 if 5 is the right gear...or may stop at 6 if it senses 5 is too low?
(This is a quick way to change from "M" mode to automatic mode when upshifting as well... just hold the upshift paddle for about 2 seconds and the transmission will go into "C" or "S" automatic-shift mode for you)
Blipping the throttle helps to match the revs of the engine to the expected speed of the transmission on the pending downshift. If going from 3rd gear to 2nd (at a given speed) will cause the engine to rev 2000RPMs higher (as an example) then the idea is to blip the throttle so the RPMs will be in that range when the downshift completes..... The idea is to have a smooth transistion where the engine does not cause the car to "surge" forward (accelerate) or "lurch" (decelerate) as the gearshift happens.....
- so it sounds like the 07-E63 does NOT blip as described above and below....someone above mentioned that 07-09 E63s do not automatically do this.
- I assume that means the engine will surge or whatever as there is no manual blip methodology?
-G
- ok, yes that I have experience by inadvertently hitting the paddle...
A nice feature of the paddle shifters is that if you pull and hold the downshift paddle for a couple of seconds the transimission will downshift the correct number of gears automatically for you. You don't have to "queue up" the downshifts with multiple quick pulls on the paddle.
- so this is how you get from 7-5 I assume...pull the down paddle for a few seconds and it will automatically go from 7-5 if 5 is the right gear...or may stop at 6 if it senses 5 is too low?
(This is a quick way to change from "M" mode to automatic mode when upshifting as well... just hold the upshift paddle for about 2 seconds and the transmission will go into "C" or "S" automatic-shift mode for you)
Blipping the throttle helps to match the revs of the engine to the expected speed of the transmission on the pending downshift. If going from 3rd gear to 2nd (at a given speed) will cause the engine to rev 2000RPMs higher (as an example) then the idea is to blip the throttle so the RPMs will be in that range when the downshift completes..... The idea is to have a smooth transistion where the engine does not cause the car to "surge" forward (accelerate) or "lurch" (decelerate) as the gearshift happens.....
- so it sounds like the 07-E63 does NOT blip as described above and below....someone above mentioned that 07-09 E63s do not automatically do this.
- I assume that means the engine will surge or whatever as there is no manual blip methodology?
-G
05-04-2011, 01:13 PM
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05-04-2011, 01:19 PM
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I can never get to "7"..... I drive the lowly E55 which only has 5 speeds. HA!
These type of threads cause me to wonder if the transmission software can be "updated" to give the new throttle-blipping feature to an older car? Tuners have hacked the engine management software, so I'm sure it's possible to hack the transmission controller, ESP functions, or whatever.... somebody with the knowledge and resources would just need to invest the time to do it.
-G
These type of threads cause me to wonder if the transmission software can be "updated" to give the new throttle-blipping feature to an older car? Tuners have hacked the engine management software, so I'm sure it's possible to hack the transmission controller, ESP functions, or whatever.... somebody with the knowledge and resources would just need to invest the time to do it.
-G
