Autobox W/S setting.

[whitenemesis]

On a different note, I read before that using W everyday may cause the box to overheat, as it is not designed for everyday use, compared to gearboxes with the C/S switch - is this true?

No, this is not possible. MB have designed the box to work in both modes, there is no mention of time restrictions.

Limo drivers tend to use W (or C as they the same thing) all the time as it gives a "smoother" take-off, a more refine ride.

Edit.. Ooops! Sorry Malcolm, I should have read to the end before posting

 

[Wezzel]

I've been driving in W for the last few months and I am definately getting more mpg (approximately 40 miles per fill-up)

Well worth having and I am enjoying the more laid back driving style. No more racing away from the lights etc. I just let the sad boy-racers go and catch them up at the next set of lights

 

[television]

I've been driving in W for the last few months and I am definately getting more mpg (approximately 40 miles per fill-up)

Well worth having and I am enjoying the more laid back driving style. No more racing away from the lights etc. I just let the sad boy-racers go and catch them up at the next set of lights

Thats good thinking Batman

 

[blackscooby]

I've been using "W" on the C32 since the road turned greasy and nasty. Much smoother, and the box doesn't seem to thunk through the gears any where near as agressively.
Really don't notice that you set off in second, in fact the traction control light is really quite easy to illuminate if you're not concentrating.

 

[daveandfleur]

Thanks for all the replies folks. Will do a few mpg comparisons either way and see if it's worthwhile leaving in W with perhaps switching to S for the quicker warm up. Have only had the car three weeks, getting 26 around town and 29 on a run. Pretty impressive for a heavy automatic with the performance and no worse than my last two cars, a 1.6 MX5 and a 2.0 924, both 5 speed manuals.

 

[television]

Thanks for all the replies folks. Will do a few mpg comparisons either way and see if it's worthwhile leaving in W with perhaps switching to S for the quicker warm up. Have only had the car three weeks, getting 26 around town and 29 on a run. Pretty impressive for a heavy automatic with the performance and no worse than my last two cars, a 1.6 MX5 and a 2.0 924, both 5 speed manuals.

Just leave it in W the car will take care of the warm up, if you kick down, it will go into 1st if you need to.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I too read somewhere or other that W can cause problems. But having checked the manual there was no mention, and concluded that it probably wasn't true.

Like blackscooby, I too have been making use of W given the poor traction this time of year. Even a tickle of the accelerator pulling out of a t-junction starts the disco lights.

 

[television]

I too read somewhere or other that W can cause problems. But having checked the manual there was no mention, and concluded that it probably wasn't true.

Like blackscooby, I too have been making use of W given the poor traction this time of year. Even a tickle of the accelerator pulling out of a t-junction starts the disco lights.

I had new rear tyres fitted last week, and it was like driving on ice, they have bedded in now, but W was most welcome.

 

[BTB 500]

Bizarre, I've hardly ever got my R129 to break traction?!

BTW my gearbox had a habit of going into 'limp home' for a while (conductor plate - fixed now), which locks you into 3rd. Sort of "Super W" mode!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I've been driving in W for the last few months and I am definately getting more mpg (approximately 40 miles per fill-up)

You must live in Saudi Arabia if you're happy with a tank that only gets you 40 miles

 

[Wezzel]

You must live in Saudi Arabia if you're happy with a tank that only gets you 40 miles

Boom, Boom!

I'll line 'em up and you knock 'em down

 

[Glenn Smith]

I'm assuming that as the winter setting changes up earlier there will likely be fuel consumption benefits. On my SLK 230K there doesn't seem to be any noticeable loss of performance using this setting. Is more strain put on the box by using the winter setting?
Dave
Vito 108CDI; SLK 230K

I use the W setting a fair bit, for the smoother take off and better traction, and to be honest the 230K engine is very torquey and is probably better suited to the early upshifts and less frequent downshifts. As for fuel consumption, i don't know, in theory it should be better. As i'm off to Holland at the end of the week i may try it, normally we go in the summer in S mode, fully laden with roof box we get 27mpg, although if i keep to 70-80mph i have seen 35mpg, again fully loaded with roof box, 120mile run mostly motorway. Only disadvantage with W mode is having to use a bit of throttle when reversing where you normaly wouldn't have to which makes parking a little more difficult.

 

[nickcc101]

Average mpg improves on my non turbo C180 by app 2 to 3 mpg when in W mode. Still drops into 1st when using kickdown.

 

[124fan]

I've been reading this thread with interest as when we bought our car the rep said keep it in 'W' mode for a while to get used to the car. So after about a week I put her in 'S' and I'm finding that it is almost the opposite of the comments on here with the exception of starting off in second gear! I find 'S' mode to be much smoother, takes much less throttle to get things to happen and in general a much nicer mode. Will of course be using 'W' mode when things turn to snow and ice.

Cheers

 

[ShinyF1]

I've been driving in W for the last few months and I am definately getting more mpg (approximately 40 miles per fill-up)

Well worth having and I am enjoying the more laid back driving style. No more racing away from the lights etc. I just let the sad boy-racers go and catch them up at the next set of lights

Only 40 miles per tank?

OOPS, better keep reading before any I make any more smarta*sed replies...Parrot has beaten me to it!

Back on the subject -
S=carsick sprogs
W= not carsick sprogs

All I need to know....

 

[glojo]

On a different note, I read before that using W everyday may cause the box to overheat, as it is not designed for everyday use, compared to gearboxes with the C/S switch - is this true?

Completely untrue and the 211 highlights this fact. when they were first produced the switch had one set of abbreviations, but one day someone decided to alter the characters. Same gearbox, different letters.

Yes it will be more economcal but................ It is down to the driver. If you want rapid getaways, then you will need to floor the throttle in W mode which then defeats the object of using it? W or C for comfort should be used wisely and sensibly. If you want to be at the front of a queue then get a Sprint Booster or use the Sports mode. If you want a calm, relaxed drive, then switch into comfort mode, relax, let everyone hoot away from the lights, then when they brake for the next hazard you can cruise to a halt alongside them, or perhaps drive right by them

Good luck with the decision.

John

 

[rf065]

If you want to be at the front of a queue then get a Sprint Booster

Can anyone tell me if they are worth the outlay, £159 seems a bit steep for what looks like a very small performance benefit.

Russ

 

[television]

Can anyone tell me if they are worth the outlay, £159 seems a bit steep for what looks like a very small performance benefit.

Russ

It is a psychological feeling with it, you just touch the throttle to get a good response rather than push it ½ way down to get the same, nothing changes other that you feel that the car goes better as you do not push the pedal as far

 

[IanA2]

.... you just touch the throttle to get a good response rather than push it ½ way down to get the same....

....comes as standard on a 60

 

[television]

....comes as standard on a 60

I refuse to answer on grounds of poor health (jealousy)