Driving an auto

[soulcar]

Have just bought my first Merc, a 2006 320cdi sport estate.
I`m also new to auto boxes and quite surprised how `hefty`you have to be with the accelerator, compared to a manual, to get a decent response.
(I have noticed this in autos I`ve briefly loaned so it`s not my vehicle at fault but a general observation - 1 cm accelerator travel in a manual equates to 2 inches in a 190E I once drove - LOL)
My car wants to be in 7th at 1200 revs asap where it may as well be a 1.0 litre hatch responsewise. I find for town driving with 40mph limits, I`m `capping` it to 4th or 5th to have some response when needed. On the other hand, kickdown itself seems brutal when the car really shifts but has to be reined-in fast round town...
So first impressions of driving an auto is that it is too `all or nothing` powerwise and requires insensitivity by the user. Feel free to put me in my place here folks !
I`m sure I will learn with experience. Certainly going into a bend fast is unnerving if you`ve let the auto box decide. I now manually change down to get a feel of the car/the drift in the bend if I`m pressing on.
What still surprises me is that holding it at 2000 revs in e.g 4th, that the power is not more instantaneous if you gently squeeze the throttle, it seems to be more about how quick and brutal you are with accelerator more than where you are in the rev range to get a `normal` manual`s response which I find odd - must be down to all the complex electrickery...

 

[timskemp]

Hi and Welcome!

Firstly - the pedal travel may be a lot longer than you're used to, and the pedal is heavily weighted. If you're coming from a smaller car then you'll notice it more - the car doesn't rev to the redline at a touch of the pedal but the accelerator is much longer travel for the same effect.

Secondly - check it's not in "comfort" or "winter" moder (there'll be a c/s or w/s button and the display will show C / S / W or maybe M if you have paddles)

Thirdly the lack of instantaneous response at low rpm is partly due to being turbocharged - you'll get used to it.

Your dealer or independant can reset the throttle adaptations and gearbox adaptations - it could be the previous owner drove like a nun - the cure for that is to either have it reset or drive it like you stole it for a few days.

 

[markjay]

Welcome soulcar.

See this threads:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/91605-delay-before-accelerating.html

 

[mbenz76]

Do the box adaptations reset themselves over time? I ask because I drove my E350 like a nun when running it in, and now I am a bit more spirited with it, the box sometimes seems to react like I still want to drive like a nun!

 

[Meldrew2]

Hi Soulcar, and welcome to the forum.

What you must realise is that when driving an automatic, the car only changes gear when you hit the accelerator.

When you are in a manual, you see the road ahead, and change down in anticipation of accelerating, so your car is already in the right gear when you press the pedal.

Just bang the "tip-effect" selector to the left in advance of accelerating, and your auto will down-change ready for when you need to go.

Bang it to the right after you have started to speed up, and the car will up-change when appropriate.

.

 

[renault12ts]

It's not fair to generalise about autos. You have a particular car, which will drive differently to other cars, just as not all manuals are the same.

I feel that my older model does all the things you complain yours doesn't, but then I am well used to it now. But I remember my first test drive in a E300td, that felt strange too....coming from a BMW 520 manual.

Get used to the car and how to drive it...and you'll never go back to a manual.

Sitting in 3rd, waiting for a gap in the traffic...floor it...that thing will pin you to the back of your seat.

 

[soulcar]

Thanks for the useful advice, was in parts overstating for effect but you`ve all been very tolerant.

 

[st4]

No bother, MBs ( more so than say other posh german marques) have a very long throttle pedal and they are firmer.

You'll find the 1st 20% of depression may only give 10% fueling, means its easier to make low speed manouvers.

The car can lunge forward when needing to, but a TD is never the more responsive type of engine.

The 7 speed box, is mapped for economy, A powerful car like a C320cdi can pull the high gear at low RPM, let it, if you depress the pedal sharply you will be off when you need to be

 

[billywhiz]

Tell me about it.... 1st 'pedal push' in the E55 is interesting.... :O)

 

[ianp320]

I have a 320CDI with auto box and you are correct the pedal travel is different compared to a manual, and you have to be more aggressive. Most auto boxes are like this and it's just something you get used too.
After a while you will be able to control the up / down shifts with your foot, however there are some instances when I find it's best to change manually ( approaching a bend / anticipating overtaking etc .
To be honest once you get used to an (good) auto you won't go back to a manual.
good luck

 

[stevieb15]

Tell me about it.... 1st 'pedal push' in the E55 is interesting.... :O)

and in mine

 

[corned]

however there are some instances when I find it's best to change manually ( approaching a bend / anticipating overtaking etc

And that's exactly what the tiptronic gear selector, or steering wheel paddles, are for!

Maybe the OP needs to just acclimatise, or experiment a little with the controls he has on offer.

 

[englishdas]

Have just bought my first Merc, a 2006 320cdi sport estate.
I`m also new to auto boxes and quite surprised how `hefty`you have to be with the accelerator, compared to a manual, to get a decent response..

Oddly, I was just thinking about this today. Reason being, I've just dropped my E320CDI off at JAR Motorsports (my car's official second home) for it's B service and some MOT work, so he lent me a... wait for it... ROVER 216 (the Honda, repackaged in walnut) !!!

I can't believe how many times I've stalled it. I'm having to really keep the revs in to stop it stalling, and it's not like there's a problem with the car, John's maintained it and he's a mechanical mastermind. It just needs revving, which made me realise how effortless the Merc 320 Oiler is.

I will say though, on a 'just how bloody wonderful every car is, i love em so much' note, I was expecting to get in the Rover, thinking I'd landed in Russia circa 1973, being forced into some Eastern Bloc tin and formica shed on wheels. But you know, it's not a bad little car, I think I may even miss it come Monday morning...

 

[corned]

Oddly, I was just thinking about this today. Reason being, I've just dropped my E320CDI off at JAR Motorsports (my car's official second home) for it's B service and some MOT work, so he lent me a... wait for it... ROVER 216 (the Honda, repackaged in walnut) !!!

Ha ha. He gave you that too?!!! I went to my last MB GTG in that.

 

[Colin_b]

Ha ha. He gave you that too?!!! I went to my last MB GTG in that.

I read that as MGB GT, and scratched by head.

 

[corned]

I read that as MGB GT, and scratched by head.

It was actually an MB GTG V8.

 

[PJH]

I have a 320CDI with auto box and you are correct the pedal travel is different compared to a manual, ....

Only guessing, but the pedal travel on a diesel may also be different from that of a petrol engined car of similar capacity.

SOULCAR, what did you drive before ?