Clever Gearbox software

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Bryan Allman

Active Member
SUPPORTER
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
606
Location
San Lorenzo Nuovo - Lazio, Italy
Car
SLK55 (R172) 62.
I must be getting old but I'm constantly amused by the cleverness of the software in the E63.

Most of the time the car is set to C mode on the gearbox - even at that setting it will see off most of the kids in Hot Hatches should I have a mind to, and it has a much more relaxed approach to town traffic starting in 2nd gear etc.

However, like most of us I guess, there are favourite bits of roads that offer an opportunity to use some of the more brisk features of the gearbox and it is immediately switched to S+ and off we go. The immediate downshift to 5th sets the mood and thereafter the faster shifts, engine blips on downshifts, manually selected lower gears being held on a constant throttle until the right moment for an overtake, and perhaps the use of full revs before up-shifts being the cream on the cake.

At the end of the 'special stage', a quick switch to C and we are back to calm and serenity.

The odd thing for me is that I just don't get the same sense of enjoyment out of the full M setting - always seem to be in the wrong gear, too many maybe for a manual selection?
 
Hi,
Interestingly - I don't use M on my ML63 - as S is so good.
The up and down shift pops and barps are so satisfying to hear!
Cheers
Steve
 
Don`t quite understand the need for a thread reminding us of the obvious!...

If in C mode it will start in 2nd gear but if too much throttle then it susses a quicker getaway and starts from 1st gear despite being in Comfort mode...

My 7g although does not mention S+...... if in C mode with more than a certain percent of quick throttle actions, acts the same as if in S mode! .......when returning to a more comfortable action and sedate ride it goes back to C mode with out telling you...it is automatic!
 
Don`t quite understand the need for a thread reminding us of the obvious!...

If in C mode it will start in 2nd gear but if too much throttle then it susses a quicker getaway and starts from 1st gear despite being in Comfort mode...

My 7g although does not mention S+...... if in C mode with more than a certain percent of quick throttle actions, acts the same as if in S mode! .......when returning to a more comfortable action and sedate ride it goes back to C mode with out telling you...it is automatic!

Hi,
Are you sure about that?
My car definitely pulls away from stop totally differently in C and S modes - both in terms of acceleration and noise.
I will look more closely tomorrow - but have not seen it go down to 1st whilst in C mode.
Is it the same action on all models and variants? AMG vs non-AMG, for instance.
Cheers
Steve
 
Hi,
Are you sure about that?
My car definitely pulls away from stop totally differently in C and S modes - both in terms of acceleration and noise.
I will look more closely tomorrow - but have not seen it go down to 1st whilst in C mode.
Is it the same action on all models and variants? AMG vs non-AMG, for instance.
Cheers
Steve

If you floor it away from a standstill in C mode it will pull away in 1st gear and will act as though in S mode until you go easy on the throttle when it will revert back to C mode.....through out this process it still says C on the dash.

Although I had an ATF change and an update on STAR.......it says so in my owners manual!

Whether it is because mine is Sport Edition with AMG bits ...I don't know?
 
Last edited:
If you floor it away from a standstill in C mode it will pull away in 1st gear and will act as though in S mode until you go easy on the throttle when it will revert back to C mode.....through out this process it still says C on the dash.

Although I had an ATF change and an update on STAR.......it says so in my owners manual!

Whether it is because mine is Sport Edition with AMG bits ...I don't know?

The software in the TCU will be specifically written for the AMG.
The 7 speed box in post 2011 AMGs is different to yours it will have a 7 speed AMG Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) Gearbox, It doesn't use a torque convertor.
Hence why the behaviour of the O/Ps car will behave differently to a non AMG vehicle, you can read about the 7 speed and the MCT box in the link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_7G-Tronic_transmission
 
The software in the TCU will be specifically written for the AMG.
The 7 speed box in post 2011 AMGs is different to yours it will have a 7 speed AMG Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) Gearbox, It doesn't use a torque convertor.
Hence why the behaviour of the O/Ps car will behave differently to a non AMG vehicle, you can read about the 7 speed and the MCT box in the link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_7G-Tronic_transmission

Hi,
Thanks for confirming what I thought!
Cheers
Steve
 
Thanks andy27168 for the link about the AMG Speedshift MCT...very interesting about the mechanics of the newer box and i see from 2009!

But the OP was on about Software of the box and it does basically what the ordinary 7g still does........ok, so the large engine may not need to drop into 1st gear because of the grunt it has if in C mode but what i was saying is that if one floors the throttle with a 7g in C mode from a standstill in WILL pull away in 1st gear and not 2nd gear and the box will act as though it is in S mode until the throttle is eased back and then it will revert back to the more leisurely changes of C mode.

It doesn`t matter what others say or think they agree with it is a FACT that my 7g acts this way as i own and drive it!......and there is nothing wrong with it as it has just had an ATF change and been on STAR for an update at my specialist, so no problems.

Also it the Wiki link about the 7g it only says what the box can do ...it does not give all operations under different conditions!

A few paragraphs from my owners manual:
 
Last edited:
Thanks andy27168 for the link about the AMG Speedshift MCT...very interesting about the mechanics of the newer box and i see from 2009!

But the OP was on about Software of the box and it does basically what the ordinary 7g still does........ok, so the large engine may not need to drop into 1st gear because of the grunt it has if in C mode but what i was saying is that if one floors the throttle with a 7g in C mode from a standstill in WILL pull away in 1st gear and not 2nd gear and the box will act as though it is in S mode until the throttle is eased back and then it will revert back to the more leisurely changes of C mode.

It doesn`t matter what others say or think they agree with it is a FACT that my 7g acts this way as i own and drive it!......and there is nothing wrong with it as it has just had an ATF change and been on STAR for an update at my specialist, so no problems.

Also it the Wiki link about the 7g it only says what the box can do ...it does not give all operations under different conditions!

A few paragraphs from my owners manual:

Hi,
There was no dispute that this happens on your car - but it does not happen on modern E63, ML63 etc.
These cars have a totally different driving sound and character in S mode rather than C mode.
In S mode on my car - it starts off in 1st rather than 2nd gear, it holds higher revs, it makes a loud exhaust bark on up shifts, it double de clutches and barks from exhaust on downshifts.
In C mode - it is much more calm and serene!
Cheers
Steve
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom