Acceleration 'lag/ delay'.

[artyman]

The thing with leaving an auto in drive, or at least mine is that there is considerable drive which almost seems to overcome the foot operated parking brake, of which I'm not a great fan, the additional energy must surely result in more fuel to create that energy, whereas slipping into N maintains the same tickover but the engine doing less work must use less fuel.

 

[aircondoc]

I was always told that for a long wait i.e red light, slip it in N then D on amber (or slip it back to 1 for the hell of it!).
I would never put an auto in park unless I was locking it up and leaving it (parking it, funnily enough) and I can't see why N in an auto is different or safer than N in a manual. D means DRIVE, P means PARK, not traffic light or junction. I'm not surprised the thing is taking it's time, it doesn't know whether it's coming or going!

 

[johny5_uk]

The thing with leaving an auto in drive, or at least mine is that there is considerable drive which almost seems to overcome the foot operated parking brake, of which I'm not a great fan, the additional energy must surely result in more fuel to create that energy, whereas slipping into N maintains the same tickover but the engine doing less work must use less fuel.

I was told that this was the very reason that the lag existed (Mercedes way to hit the required emissions).
When you pull up and stop in C mode, the car disengages the gearbox thus lower energy as even though the car is in drive, the gearbox is disengaged. When you press the pedal (or tap into 1st) the car engages the gearbox and there will be no lag.

In S mode though the lag is nearly none existent as it does not disengage the gearbox.

This is how it is on my 2011 e350 but apparently the new 7g+ box is a lot quicker in engaging the gears.

I begged Mercedes to reprogram my C mode with the same settings as S to reduce the lag but they said they couldn't.........

 

[LTD]

My attitude is based on transferring the accepted wisdom of driving a manual box.

You should leave your 'box in D unless reversing or leaving your car stationary (parked).

Wait until you discover that the proper way to drive an automatic is to use one foot for each of the pedals !!!!!

 

[markjay]

...I begged Mercedes to reprogram my C mode with the same settings as S to reduce the lag but they said they couldn't.........

Just drive it in S mode - I never drive in C mode, I find the car actually drives smoother in S.

Also, regarding stopping at traffic light with an automatic car, I read somewhere here that the best way is to do it is to leave the car in D and engage the handbrake to stop it rolling forward - this prevents transmission wear as result from the frequent swap into N or P, and also prevents brake disc warping which may result when the heat under the pressed pads is unable to dissipate.

 

[coalville126]

Wait until you discover that the proper way to drive an automatic is to use one foot for each of the pedals !!!!!

Yup, that's how I was taught to do it when I went on a driving course. Makes sense and you get the most out of the gearbox for fast A-road driving - not to mention if one was participating in traffic light grand prix! Not that I engage in that sort of activity.

 

[mobeyone]

Just drive it in S mode - I never drive in C mode, I find the car actually drives smoother in S.

Also, regarding stopping at traffic light with an automatic car, I read somewhere here that the best way is to do it is to leave the car in D and engage the handbrake to stop it rolling forward - this prevents transmission wear as result from the frequent swap into N or P, and also prevents brake disc warping which may result when the heat under the pressed pads is unable to dissipate.

Or if you have hold, I use this most times now when stationary.

 

[Rory]

The thing with leaving an auto in drive, or at least mine is that there is considerable drive which almost seems to overcome the foot operated parking brake,/QUOTE]

There is some, but it shouldn't be 'considerable'!

Just drive it in S mode - I never drive in C mode, I find the car actually drives smoother in S.

Me too, but the newer cars default to E, I think, everytime they're restarted.

The OP has a 5 speed box but the 7's do go into a neutral 'mode' themselves when stopped.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

Leaving it in 'go' with my foot on the brake to stop it going, is counter-intuitive but if a Class 1/ Advanced driver does it, i'll do it.

 

[artyman]

To me it goes against the grain, it's like a manual sitting at the lights in gear with the clutch depressed!

 

[panason1c]

I always leave mine in D if i'm expecting to be stationary for a relatively short time (eg pedestrian traffic lights), otherwise, i select N if, for example, i'm sat at road works traffic lights, or where i expect to be held up for a while, etc

 

[Slacky28]

Realise this thread is over a year old; but it keeps coming up on Google when trying to find a reason for my "newly acquired but ageing" old lady being so sleepy moving away from stationary. It has become a bit of an art in only 4 weeks... pressing "go" when pointing at the side of a panel van.
Does anyone KNOW why this happens? Seems an extremely common thread?
Slacky

 

[m2287]

Left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator, push the accelerator ever so slightly then let go of the brake when you want to go...Instant response.

 

[panason1c]

Left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator, push the accelerator ever so slightly then let go of the brake when you want to go...Instant response.

Not a good idea, in my opinion, to use both feet when driving an automatic.

 

[m2287]

Not a good idea, in my opinion, to use both feet when driving an automatic.

Whys that?

 

[panason1c]

The basic rule when driving an auto has always been to use ONLY your right foot......suggesting to someone to use both feet could, in certain situations, could cause confusion resulting in an incident.
(of course, excluding rally drivers, etc)

 

[rascalmaster]

The basic rule when driving an auto has always been to use ONLY your right foot......suggesting to someone to use both feet could, in certain situations, could cause confusion resulting in an incident.

like most good things; takes a little getting used to. ever try heel/ toe braking and accelerating?

 

[m2287]

The basic rule when driving an auto has always been to use ONLY your right foot......suggesting to someone to use both feet could, in certain situations, could cause confusion resulting in an incident.
(of course, excluding rally drivers, etc)

People use 2 feet in a manual car every day, it's pretty much the same as using the accelerator slightly as you lift off the clutch... Have a go, it's easy .

 

[deian]

So what is the proper way of driving an auto? with one foot, or with both feet?

Also if you put ur foot on the brake and give it some gas in drive, does that not wear down the box? It does sound fun though.

 

[Dieselman]

like most good things; takes a little getting used to. ever try heel/ toe braking and accelerating?

It's very bad for the gearbox as the fluid heats up.

If you watch all the clips on youtube of people having "senior moments" in automatic cars, I think they were all left foot braking.

I commonly see cars driving along with the brake lights on and not going very well...until the brake lights go out and they shoot forwards.