5G 'box C/S mode mythology?

[jaymanek]

Im pretty sure most mercedes since the beginning of time start off in 2nd. Only if you floor it will it use 1st.

 

[BTB 500]

The only thing I can presume is that my 'tests' have been conducted when the 'box still considers itself to be cold. Or. as Renault suggests, mine is not working properly.

Could simply be the selector switch - IIRC this is a reasonably common problem.

 

[BTB 500]

Here you go ... could be relevant:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/6722-sorting-s-w-switch-problems.html

 

[Stratman]

My W203 5G definitely starts in second in C mode, and first in S. It comes into its own in motorway crawling jams, where creeping in C seems to be the right speed to keep up with the traffic, just occasionally flicking it into S for a few moments then back into C.

 

[Dryce]

It comes into its own in motorway crawling jams, where creeping in C seems to be the right speed to keep up with the traffic,

Exactly my experience.

 

[John]

Reading more about this... it seems that when in C it will only start in 2nd if you start-off gently, but if you do so with a heavy foot then it will start in 1st anyway.

This seems to be what mine does.

I know because if I floor it in C, it starts in first.

If I don't, it sounds similar to how a manual car does starting in 2nd i.e. makes a lot more noise and doesn't pull away as quick.

 

[Superspec]

I suspect there are many iterations of the electronics governing these gearboxes and as such everyone is right! The boxes that are labelled W and S start in second in W. My gearbox, C , S, M starts is first everytme no matter what the selection is. The only difference is in C it changes early and holds the gears longer when coming down the box and the change is smoother. In S it will hold the gear to the red line if I keep my foot down and changes down much sooner if needed. M obviously changes when I tell it (or at least when it agrees its a good idea lol)

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind the car starts in first every time. My Dad's first E class started in second though in W - his car had W & S.

 

[corned]

Bill - thanks but the selector button works fine. C and S displayed in the cluster, and the change patterns are definitely different between both modes, and in C there is a lot more 'clutch slip' in the changes.

But still 4 changes up in either mode. Just at different points in the rev range...

I have still to try my 'fully warmed up' test.

 

[corned]

Well well.

After a trip out this evening entirely in 'C' mode, I noted the following. Start out from home, cold, all four gear changes. Came away from destination, warmed up, and only three perceptible changes. When I got home, I did a stop/start again and set off gently. Then when up to about 10mph, I pushed the tiptronic lever left and lo and behold - it dropped into first!

So, we have confirmation that it does indeed start from cold in first, but starts in second once it has warmed up a bit.

Exactly what the book (or rather, presentation!) said! Thanks to all for your input.

 

[Benzowner]

Just to throw a slight spanner in the works, does the gear selection of first or second also depend on whether the engine is diesle or petrol? I also see that the first gear ratio in some 5g boxes are slightly different either 3.59:1 or 3.95:1 see 5G-Tronic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[whitenemesis]

Just to throw a slight spanner in the works, does the gear selection of first or second also depend on whether the engine is diesle or petrol? I also see that the first gear ratio in some 5g boxes are slightly different either 3.59:1 or 3.95:1 see 5G-Tronic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No, the only criteria are those listed in the attachment to post #6

 

[renault12ts]

No, the only criteria are those listed in the attachment to post #6

Interestingly, that link also confirms that these boxes are adaptive to driving style...which the US guys always believed but some on this forum would deny.

 

[whitenemesis]

Interestingly, that link also confirms that these boxes are adaptive to driving style...which the US guys always believed but some on this forum would deny.

Are you referring to the 5G or 7G? I didn't think anyone here doubted both these boxes adapt (continuously) to one's driving style? What was hotly debated was the possibility of resetting these adaptions without using STAR . Which they can't.

 

[renault12ts]

Are you referring to the 5G or 7G? I didn't think anyone here doubted both these boxes adapt (continuously) to one's driving style? What was hotly debated was the possibility of resetting these adaptions without using STAR . Which they can't.

I see. I think the US guys merely reset them to the default position.

 

[whitenemesis]

I see. I think the US guys merely reset them to the default position.

Which is all one can do, even with STAR. It wipes the memory of how the driver has been driving and returns it to factory default.

Don't confuse 'adaption' with 'update' they are two separate things.

 

[renault12ts]

Which is all one can do, even with STAR. It wipes the memory of how the driver has been driving and returns it to factory default.

Don't confuse 'adaption' with 'update' they are two separate things.

Was I?

 

[whitenemesis]

Was I?

Was you what??

If you weren't someone was, is,, might be. But hopefully wouldn't, won't be, now ....

Possibly

 

[ShinyF1]

My manual states that in W (or C for later cars) the car will start off in 2nd (except if 1st is selected). I can confirm that no matter how heavy footed I am in W, the car starts off in 2nd.

No myth here.

Corned, maybe yours is not working as it should. Try this test. Stop your car on a hill, release your foot from the brake. Now note what happens when in C or S. If I do this, the car creeps forward in S, but stops and stays put in W. In fact I can control the car by flicking the switch between the two.

You can feel the transmission change, see the revcounter needle move and hear the engine note slightly change if you flick between W and S in mine [both D and R] when held on the footbrake