W or S mode?

[stevesey]

Have been driving my C240 Sport around in Winter mode most of the time (only had for 10 days) just dropping into Standard for the occasional quick pull out into busy traffic.

Anyone see any problems with long term use of Winter, the engine is more that capable of pulling away in second and I assume any extra "clutch slippage" (to use manual terminology) is handled by the torque convertor so should not affect the gearbox itself.

Advice please.

 

[television]

You can please yourself as to what mode you use, You cant hurt the box what ever you do, most people find little difference in the fuel consumption, I think that if I was driving doing a lot a town work then I would use W

 

[stevesey]

Thanks Television - reassuring to have someone confirm my thoughts. Not too worried about fuel consumption - more the relaxed feel and of course less gearchanges = less wear on the box.

 

[jberks]

W also sets off in 2nd. Great for rolling through jams on idle whilst never touching the pedal but it will be heavier on the brakes as a result. I knock mine into W when in a jam. Also will be a tad slower off the line, but again countered by the fact that its doing 1 less change each time.

 

[philharve]

Have been driving my C240 Sport around in Winter mode most of the time (only had for 10 days) just dropping into Standard for the occasional quick pull out into busy traffic.

Anyone see any problems with long term use of Winter, the engine is more that capable of pulling away in second and I assume any extra "clutch slippage" (to use manual terminology) is handled by the torque convertor so should not affect the gearbox itself.

Advice please.

Hi stevesey

My preference is to stay in 'S' unless the road is greasy/icy and then I switch to 'W'. Why do you prefer to stay in 'W'?

For a quick overtaking manoeuvre I usually slip the 'box from auto into 3rd, then 4th and finally back into 'D'.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

Dont forget that the shift points are higher in S when using full throttle and the change points when kicking down are different too

 

[stevesey]

My preference is to stay in 'S' unless the road is greasy/icy and then I switch to 'W'. Why do you prefer to stay in 'W'?

Given that the C240 should have more than enough torque I was after a relaxed driving style around town. However there seems to be an extra delay in W as the torque converter has to wind up more before the car gets going (because of the higher gearing in second). Trying S mode for a week now to see what I prefer.

 

[MBNuB]

I'm gonna have to RTFM.
I assumed S was sport mode so I've been driving in W mode since I got my car months ago. 46mpg (according to the dash) to-date.
Maybe I should give S a try...

 

[television]

With all of these things it does depend on where you live re the other traffic, its much cheaper to do what Phil does and change down if the need be.

Interesting that they have re surfaced my road today and in S the wheels spin on every loose stone

 

[philharve]

With all of these things it does depend on where you live re the other traffic, its much cheaper to do what Phil does and change down if the need be.

Interesting that they have re surfaced my road today and in S the wheels spin on every loose stone

Then try W.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[MotardMan]

I thought all of the autos used 2nd to pull away, unless you floored it, regardless of the mode selected? My W124's are certainly that way, but then they are 4sp boxes, not 5's like the later ones.

BTW, my E320C did 26MPG in mixed traffic on the last tank! That inlcuded some very hilly trips around Wooton under Edge, and some 100 mph blast up and down the M5. I was pleased. Though you diesel drivers will be horrified.. ;o)

 

[television]

I thought all of the autos used 2nd to pull away, unless you floored it, regardless of the mode selected? My W124's are certainly that way, but then they are 4sp boxes, not 5's like the later ones.

BTW, my E320C did 26MPG in mixed traffic on the last tank! That inlcuded some very hilly trips around Wooton under Edge, and some 100 mph blast up and down the M5. I was pleased. Though you diesel drivers will be horrified.. ;o)

Yes the 722.4-5 are second gear starts but when in S the change points are much higher

 

[MotardMan]

So using the W setting does not save you a shift as mentioned above. It will soften the changes, make the shift at lower RPM and that is it. Or am I wrong?

 

[stevesey]

So using the W setting does not save you a shift as mentioned above. It will soften the changes, make the shift at lower RPM and that is it. Or am I wrong?

722.6 Always starts in first when in S mode (and 2nd in W, unless you kickdown).

A part throttle I haven't notice the shift points being any different (I think that's only at full throttle, as television said earlier, perhaps I'll find a quiet road/drag strip and check)

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I thought all of the autos used 2nd to pull away, unless you floored it, regardless of the mode selected? My W124's are certainly that way, but then they are 4sp boxes, not 5's like the later ones.

BTW, my E320C did 26MPG in mixed traffic on the last tank! That inlcuded some very hilly trips around Wooton under Edge, and some 100 mph blast up and down the M5. I was pleased. Though you diesel drivers will be horrified.. ;o)

Horrified? You bet!

I get 28/32 depending on the type of driving I do (mainly motorway, occassional town)

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Yes this is a interesting point when I first drove my CLK230K I drove in W all the time.............However I noticed last winter that if one pulled away in second that the box wouldnt change up from 3rd...........till the engine started to warm up (we have mild winters here so I assume my engine is a ally-alloy block w steel liners). I also have a suspicion that the box changes earlier into top (5th) if I use S ?
Any comment on this, town driving of course.
TB

 

[gordofski]

With all of these things it does depend on where you live re the other traffic, its much cheaper to do what Phil does and change down if the need be.

Interesting that they have re surfaced my road today and in S the wheels spin on every loose stone

can everyone get down to television with a broom,and clear HIS road and sweep the loose stones up so the poor sod can drive his car instead of pampering it

 

[television]

can everyone get down to television with a broom,and clear HIS road and sweep the loose stones up so the poor sod can drive his car instead of pampering it

I do not pamper my car :-( but I am due for new tyres on the rear, it rained today and its much better now.

I do leave it in S 90% of the time as there would have been no point in buying the thing if I did not.

But I did get home today before it rained it must not get wet,what ever next:

 

[television]

722.6 Always starts in first when in S mode (and 2nd in W, unless you kickdown).

A part throttle I haven't notice the shift points being any different (I think that's only at full throttle, as television said earlier, perhaps I'll find a quiet road/drag strip and check)

Yes in S the full throttle changes are about 40kmh higher from 2-3 and they down shifting is higher too

 

[television]

Yes this is a interesting point when I first drove my CLK230K I drove in W all the time.............However I noticed last winter that if one pulled away in second that the box wouldnt change up from 3rd...........till the engine started to warm up (we have mild winters here so I assume my engine is a ally-alloy block w steel liners). I also have a suspicion that the box changes earlier into top (5th) if I use S ?
Any comment on this, town driving of course.
TB

Its a normal thing on the 722.6 box that it will hold onto the lower gears until that CAT has warmed up