How does an automatic learn/adapt to a driving style

[MaxY]

I read in a previous thread that an automatic gearbox will, over time, learn a driving style and adapt to it. I must be dim because I cannot see how this is possible. If it is auto presumably it will change gears as programmed for ever and a day. Or does it take into account playing about with it manually?

Sorry if this is a silly question to which the answer should be obvious. My car does not arrive until next week so, as yet, I have no experience of an automatic.

MaxY

 

[SLinKyjoe]

It adapts as you drive...put your foot hard down and it holds the gears longer...drive like a slipper wearer and it changes up early..change the mode to W or C for winter or comfort and it selects earlier changes or starts in a higher gear which results in less wheel spin, more fuel econmy and quieter changes.

In manual mode it chages when you selct the gear unless you bust thru the parameters that the Nice people at Mercede Benz chose to stop you blowing the engine up.

 

[louisjames]

good point, mine has w or s?? what does the s mean?

 

[mrtidy]

W is for winter,S is for summer.

 

[pascal]

MRTIDY
It learns your driving style by cotiniously monitoring your driving style (your use of accelerator, brake etc.). The computer then assesses how early to change down based on this. This used to be called 'FUZZY LOGIC' or 'ARTIFICIAL INTELEGENCE'.
The winter and summer modes adjusts this also especially gear at startoff. I think this switch sets two different parameters which each two learning curves stays within.

For instance you have a lot more control whilst reversing in WINTER mode. MB says it changes the ratio in reverse, but I think they mean the ratio of the foot travel, not actual gear (not sure). But you certainly have much more precise reversing in WINTER mode, especially uphill.

PASCAL

 

[louisjames]

so a, if you unplugged battery for couple of hours would it re-learn? like the ecu, and b, do you think its good to use w in cold winter condtions, or stick with the s in all? i mean is there any more strain or wear n tear on the box in w??

 

[guydewdney]

it has been reported that you should only use W setting (on w/s boxes, not e/s) when there is actually snow / ice on the ground / road. it develops a lot more heat than normal in w mode.

 

[Ger D]

Not meaning to be picky or anything but in the interests of accuracy W= Winter mode S= Standard Mode, otherwise we couldnt drive them in Spring or Autumn.

Happy Driving to all!

 

[SLinKyjoe]

and what about the rainy season..

in mine its S for standard and C for comfort? why? The book just says standard for normal driving and C for comfort drvivng....so i suppose you could drive it in either at anytime. good old unambiguos mercedes benz eh? they dont want to give too much away

 

[jberks]

Having had one with an E/S and a W/S I can say that the letter changes but the technology / effect doesn't.
S for normal use (summer , standard etc) , the other for economy/ slippery conditions or comfort. - basically the non S one make it softer on the torque converter and it changes up earlier, saving fuel and reducing wheelspin - all the same thing really.

 

[concordepilot19]

In my W202 C220 CDi "W" removes first gear and first reverse gear and can be quite useful when creeping in traffic queues. The car is generally useless on ice or untreated snow at which point I select Ka mode (after politely asking wife for a borrow).

I've never driven fast enough in reverse and "S" to see if it would change up into second reverse as described in the handbook. Anyone up for the challenge ?

 

[MaxY]

Hi
thanks to everyone for their input on my original question. I now have a much better understanding.

Max

 

[SLinKyjoe]

In my W202 C220 CDi "W" removes first gear and first reverse gear and can be quite useful when creeping in traffic queues. The car is generally useless on ice or untreated snow at which point I select Ka mode (after politely asking wife for a borrow).

I've never driven fast enough in reverse and "S" to see if it would change up into second reverse as described in the handbook. Anyone up for the challenge ?

go on bring it round. i will give it a crack and see if your car changes up!!!!