New to Merc E240-Help!

[Camelia]

Hi, I'm a woman (and blonde) in a Mercedes... Doesn't mean STUPID though, just not so ... knowledgeable. I would really apreciate if someone could explain to me the 2 modes set for driving in W and S for an automatic E240 Classic. Read the manual but a little bit confusing as the men at the garage that I bought the car from told me they mean Sport and whatever the W, recommending to use the W mode as it is more economical. Does this make any sense, when the S in the manual explanations indicates not Sport but a Standard mode, etc.
Please, advice!

 

[BarryG]

Malcolm will be with you shortly trust me

Barry

 

[Hanz]

I thought S stood for either Standard, sport or summer, and W was winter.

My E class has S for sports, and E for economy.

 

[Hanz]

W and S settings on transmission. Normal is S, which stands for Standard or Sport or Summer. W stands for Winter or Wet and gives 2nd gear start and a taller reverse gear to keep you from spinning your tires in crummy conditions.

The Winter position is quite clever: it gives smooth second gear starts in casual driving, and has no qualms about downshifting instantly back into first if you punch it. This needs more research since the Winter position might save fuel, give a comfier ride and not lose any performance.

 

[Camelia]

Thanks Hannah,
but this is quite different isn't it?My hubby changed it in the S mode and today it just drank all the petrol it had in the tank. What's the secret, actually?

 

[Hanz]

He's a man, they seem to like to play with the kickdown probably... lol

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Hannah's explanation is spot on. I have a C240 so same engine but a smaller car. I must say that I find the gearbox in S (or standard) can be a bit harsh so W (or winter) can be used all the time to smooth things out a bit.

 

[Camelia]

Ok, that makes sense.So I should set in back on W mode in that she can serve me better with the little drizzle outside? I'm in Ireland, so no big problem with extreme weather.

 

[daveenty]

Think that the W mode sets off in 2nd gear and is altogether more gentlr (Winter...no sporty starts to avoid skidding)
The S mode was for standard, and uses all the gears (and holds them a bit longer, hence the fuel consumption, or lack of it)

A couple of years since I had one of the W210 E classes, so I'll apologise now if I'm wrong

 

[Hanz]

What age is the car?

 

[Hanz]

Ok everyone else beaten me haha

 

[daveenty]

Rapid thread this one

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Ok, that makes sense.So I should set in back on W mode in that she can serve me better with the little drizzle outside? I'm in Ireland, so no big problem with extreme weather.

A couple of years ago I got snowed-in at Galway airport! Cancelled the flights and had to bus us all to Dublin. Worse places to be stuck I suppose.

 

[Camelia]

If Hannah is indeed a women I am thrilled, as I feel a bit out of place, in this men's world - mechanics. Hi also to the long name that came. Please to meet you and thanks for the comment.:-D

 

[Hanz]

Oh yes, I haven't got much to do, I'm just waiting for threads and replies to appear!

 

[Hanz]

If Hannah is indeed a women I am thrilled, as I feel a bit out of place, in this men's world - mechanics. Hi also to the long name that came. Please to meet you and thanks for the comment.:-D

I am a woman yes, lol. Don't worry there's two of us on here already, we can stick together

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

If Hannah is indeed a women I am thrilled, as I feel a bit out of place, in this men's world - mechanics. Hi also to the long name that came. Please to meet you and thanks for the comment.:-D

according to Malcom she's very much a woman (sorry, in-joke).

btw, Welcome to the forum.

 

[Camelia]

Ok then. But I am happy that actually the guys can give us some good advice.

 

[Camelia]

Who is Malcom?

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

dont expect much sense from me, I tend to let the guys at the garage get their hands oily. I'm well past my "laying under cars" phase of life. Been there, done that, got the oily T-Shirt.

you can call me Omni if the names a bit long (or even Neil if you want something a little more sensible)