eurowerx

just been messing around and dont understand why it is so difficult to use this setting can someone chime in with a easier way of using it sometimes it will work and some times not and i only get it to engage when i start the car in P and then put it in drive then so on.. never if the car is already in D.

wuster

i've never been able to get it to work. I don't even bother anymore. I've tried a couple of times, but it's just too complicated I gave up.

JY888

I think the car has to be at a minimum temp (180 I think) the Traction control must be set to sport. Then you have to keep your left foot on the brake, turn the transmission dial to RS (it will ask you if you want to engage race start by clicking on the right shift paddle), you have to do this quick, then keep the gas pedal all the way down. Let of the brake and it should take off. I think I got it to work, not sure though...there was a slight delay after I let off the brake then the car took off. I'm not sure if there should be a delay or I'm not doing it right? pretty confusing stuff...I think they should make it a one button thing.

callmiro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp09oRabPQs

wuster

good link, but I think this one actually shows the steps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJL1Wab4mS8

good to know. :-) not sure if I'll ever get it or try it, but good to know.

bushburninc63

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBhoEVSb_wU

so you floor the gas and let go the gas and it will move? or there is a certain rpm you have to launch it at?

eurowerx

Thanks, i have done it a few times but its not easy to do also like that video shows they start from P(park) thats no help when at a light lol

bushburninc63

So just mash on the throttle and let go of the brakes and we're good?

CAracer

Like an earlier poster said, you have to turn off traction control first. Then, confirm with right paddle shifter that you want to start RC. Left foot on brake, then floor the gas peddle. You will see about 4k rpm. Release the brake and hold on.

One more thing, be sure you are on a very quite stretch of highway.

bushburninc63

So no need to warm up the tires for good traction?

JY888

I think you have to drive a minimum of 6 miles before you can use the race start. By then the tires are pretty much warmed up.

CAracer

As far as heating up your tires, street tires don't heat up like drag radials.

Just as long as you've driven your car for a few miles should do the trick.

eurowerx

All i want to know is has anyone engaged RS without starting from park.... meaning that i have only gotten it to go into racestart if i originally put the car is drive from park. i have owned a lot fine machines and know my cars inside out.

kwaobus

mine doesn't work properly, it launches all right, but only after the tach drops to 1000rpm and about 0.5sec of "hesitation" right after rlease, then it works as supposed to, keeping revs at 4k and shifting hard all the way up. anyone have similar problem?

JY888

Thats the same problem I'm having, I'm thinking thats how it's supposed to work. I don't see how it would be useful at the track with the hesitation. I'm thinking of asking the dealer but I don't think they will know either...

kwaobus

Definitely a bug in the system, maybe its software related? With the quick moment in power loss one would definitely lose all the competitive advantage that the system is siupposed to give you from the line. I am 100% certain that this is not the way it is supposed to work. Maybe there is a software issue if we are both having the same issue, what built date is yours? I doubt dealer will be keen on fixing this, they'll take the attitude that "Race Start is bad for the car anyway and not in their interest to fix it".

JY888

I agree, you would loose too much time with the delay.
I'm not sure what the build date is on mine. How do I find that out?

As for the dealer fixing it I don't think the dealer in my area will know what to do. I may have to go to an AMG dealer, I think the closest one for me is Jacksonville to get it checked out.

Any idea whats the best way to launch with out the Race Start?

kwaobus

Built date is on label on driver door B column. Best way to launch w/o Race start is ESP Sport and S+ (unless you are a perfect M mode shifter), left foot on brake and right foot on gas pedal. When dry in and straight line it will be a great start with just partial wheel slip. IMO if you switch ESP off you will fishtail too much unless you are an expert with your throttle modulation.

nigoape1

make sure yr steering wheel is straight too when u using RS....otherwise it wont work...!

E-Ridium 63

RS mode is not that complicated to get into but rather its tricky to set up. What i mean by that is, there are a bunch of safety parameters i think the computer needs to satisfy before it will allow the car switch to RS. I imagine a bunch of owners have been turning that dial to the right and becoming frustrated at not being able to get it into RS mode on demand.

Well, this is not scientific evidence, but anecdotal from what i've tried.

1. ESC has to be off (yes, no traction control....which seems counter intuitive since its trying to launch with no wheel spin. go figure....)
2. There cannot be a car or anything that the computer thinks is a car or obstacle in front of you. You have to have a clear path in front.
3. Steering wheel has to be straight....i've found that this is actually more touchy than you think. For me, a slight twist to the left or right off of center locks you out of RS....for me it was that sensitive.
4. It can't be raining. I think the rain sensors shut you out of RS as well.
5. Foot needs to be on the brakes...guess that's obvious


if you got all those things, then its pretty simple to engage. Left foot brake, turn clockwise to RS, click on the right paddle shifter to confirm. Hit the gas to 4000 rpm and let go of the brake and you should launch.

Hope this helps some of you out there who may have been as confused as i was in trying to get into RS mode.

Vic55

I rarely do planned launches with another car lined up; its always impromptu and spur of the moment so I think this is too much work

BrianBE63

The post that went through all the steps is excellent - the only thing I would add is that after you confirm race start mode with the up shift paddle (and your foot remains on the brake until you are ready to go) - you just absolutely floor it - and hold the gas there - it won't rev past four grand until you release the brake - then it will launch and shift at 7,200 as it should until you let out of it. Last point, you can't sit there at 4 grand for more than 2 seconds! Also, you can't engage race start over and over - there is a "rest period" the car will require between uses. I've had good luck with it - but it can be finicky - sometimes refusing to engage even when you have done all the steps properly. Fortunately, the car is fast enough to outrun most anything without all the gimmicks!

Poison

Just make sure your steering wheel is straight, your tires arent completely bad yet, and MAKE SURE the RPM completely stabilizes before letting go of the brake.

If you let the brake go too early, you will often get that drop to 1000 rpm and then the slow-ish acceleration. Also, obviously if you dont have any traction at all (on a really bad road etc) it will also be sluggish (since its tryin to give you the best acceleration, which means as little wheelspin as possible) and you might get the impression of that 1 second delay.

BrianBE63

I double checked the manual - you have 2 seconds to confirm race mode with the up shift paddle - you can then stage for up to 7 seconds (e.g., foot on the brake, gas pedal mashed to the floor). Happy launching!!

Dan-the-Man

Even though I only have 600k's on the clock I had to test this.

Using all the tips posted it worked flawlessly first time.

I lifted off very early .... felt guilty