Transmission Question "S" or "W"

[Spud]

I have a 2000 C230 Kompresser and was wondering what the difference is when "W" or "S" is selected?? I did a search on the board but did not find anything of use. What happens to the car, I currently drive in "S" but not knowing what "W" does is bothering me...

Thanks
Spud

 

[Leon]

In my manual (W210) it says that W is for winter and S is standard. W simply starts in second gear.

 

[GRAV888]

See here.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[trooper]

Winter and Summer (or sport).
Needkess to say my switch is always in "S".

 

[stats007]

S has always been referenced in the manual as 'Standard' on the MBs I've owned.

 

[Glenn Smith]

W mode car starts in second (better traction in slippery conditions) up changes also come sooner, i find with the the available torque from the c230k W mode is better than S.

 

[vijilants]

It also changes the reverse gear ratio. I always leave mine in S.

 

[television]

Yes 2 reverse speeds with W or S the change points are also higher in S

 

[Spud]

W or S

Thanks everyone for all the great info

Spud

 

[glojo]

S has always been referenced in the manual as 'Standard' on the MBs I've owned.

Doesn't the abbreviations vary with the different models and perhaps mood of the designer? The 211 has had a change of abbreviation and has seen both the W =Winter and C= Comfort. Has S = Sport been used on any of the AMG range? The manuals that list W state it is for winter driving with the aid of a higher gear when pulling away and the other listing for C mode state it is for more economical, relaxed driving. My thoughts are the C mode is not a popular choice amongst drivers?

Regards
John

 

[MBManInKen]

This topic always seems to cause a lot of confusion.

The comfort/sport switches (C/S) are found on older mercedes. They make the box behave more "sportier" in S mode. And if I recall correctly (I'm getting senile! ), my W126 had E/S on the box (economy/standard)...

However, on modern drive-by-wire cars, it seems to me that the accelerator pedal and over style of driving is what primarily defines the box' behaviour in terms of comfort/sporty character.

For example, if I accelerate gently and calmly, feathering the accelerator, my box will shift up quicker, whereas with harder and deeper accelerator pedal action the upshift is delayed and the engine climbs higher in its revs. W specifically is for winter driving, where you want to drive off in 2nd and shift up early enough to improve handling on wet and slippery roads.

The suspension has its own, separate, setting for comfort/sport1/sport2.

 

[Dieselman]

W and S are not connected to shift points, the gearbox has a seperate higher ratio FIRST gear gear which is selected on the selection of W mode.

The car uses this gear in both forwards and reverse modes and still makes 4 further shifts in forwards mode, each at normal speeds.

 

[robert.saunders]

My Mondeo has a gearbox. My feet control when I change gear. Suspension has one setting - pretty firm. Sweet simple bliss

 

[MBManInKen]

W and S are not connected to shift points, the gearbox has a seperate higher ratio FIRST gear gear which is selected on the selection of W mode.

The car uses this gear in both forwards and reverse modes and still makes 4 further shifts in forwards mode, each at normal speeds.

Dieselman, are you sure about this (because 99% of cases you are spot on )? I'm pretty sure my manual explicitly says that the car takes off in 2nd gear when W is selected - can check tonight if necessary.

 

[Dieselman]

Dieselman, are you sure about this (because 99% of cases you are spot on )? I'm pretty sure my manual explicitly says that the car takes off in 2nd gear when W is selected - can check tonight if necessary.

I've just checked and am not correct...Oops.

The W mode does engage 2nd unless 1st is selected, but it does engage a second, higher ratio gear for reverse applications.

 

[stats007]

722.6 Transmission:

 

[glojo]

Dieselman, are you sure about this (because 99% of cases you are spot on )? I'm pretty sure my manual explicitly says that the car takes off in 2nd gear when W is selected - can check tonight if necessary.

MBManIKen are you sure about this??

The comfort/sport switches (C/S) are found on older mercedes. They make the box behave more "sportier" in S mode. And if I recall correctly (I'm getting senile!

), my W126 had E/S on the box (economy/standard)....

The C/S or W/S is always a hot potato and I never tend to be specific over what car has what sticky label. I have no idea what you term 'older' Mercedes but as you can see, this 2004 E-class quite clearly has the C/S option but I do know that some OLDER 211's have the W/S marking. I personally think it all depends on the mood of either Carl Schmidt or his brother Wilf Schmidt

I believe that if the vehicle is in either the C or W mode then when you pull away it still has the ability to kickdown, and this will get the box to change down to the lowest gear.

Regards
John

 

[MBManInKen]

MBManIKen are you sure about this??

Well, I wasn't 100% sure, but it seems I was correct . If I can remember this discussion by the time I get home, I will check the manual .

The C/S or W/S is always a hot potato and I never tend to be specific over what car has what sticky label. I have no idea what you term 'older' Mercedes but as you can see, this 2004 E-class quite clearly has the C/S option but I do know that some OLDER 211's have the W/S marking.

Thank you so much for this and for the picture. I admit I never saw the C/S on more recent cars, but this clearly proves that my assumption on it only being on older cars was dead wrong. I stand corrected!

As I said before, I find the "comfort/sport" concept on a box difficult to square with modern drive-by-wire principles, but that's all academic - it clearly is there!

Unless they have a dyslexic designer at Merc?

 

[Merc-C180K]

I was told that S = Sporty and C = Comfort on my C180K.

S revs higher (6k revs), and will during kickdown drop as many gears as possible.

C changes gear much sooner (4k revs) and is a smoother drive.

I tend to drive in S, but change to C when running low on fuel.

Also during Winter when we have snow I have to turn off the traction control and set the GBox to C and leave the car to 'tick' over in order to get it going on snow filled roads. Which accounts for all of 3days last year.

 

[nigel cross]

My Mondeo has a gearbox. My feet control when I change gear. Suspension has one setting - pretty firm. Sweet simple bliss

Thats lucky, Did you buy it from Freddy Flintstone??