Whats this switch on the gearbox?

[SSBB]

Hi all,
Ive recently bought a W203 220cdi, unfortunately the owners manual is missing. There is a switch on the gearbox with S and C. On my last car, a
C250 it said S and W, which I understand stood for Standard and Winter mode, ie winter mode starts off in second gear to enhance grip.
Can anyone tell me which is the standard ie normal position for this new switch and what do the S and C stand for / do!

 

[redspecial2000]

Comfort and Sports was always my take on this, but Im willing to be proved wrong!

Lennie

 

[robert.saunders]

Program selector button

Program selector button

S Sport
For all normal driving conditions
C Comfort
For comfort mode

Only press program selector button

when the selector lever is in position P, N or D.

Press program selector button

repeatedly until the letter (C/S) for the desired gearshift program appears in the speedometer display.

Comfort mode C is characterised by the following:

• an increase in traction. This improves the driving stability of the vehicle on slippery road surfaces, for example.
• the automatic transmission shifting up sooner. The vehicle is driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels are less likely to spin.

 

[st4]

Program selector button

Program selector button

S Sport
For all normal driving conditions
C Comfort
For comfort mode

Only press program selector button

when the selector lever is in position P, N or D.

Press program selector button

repeatedly until the letter (C/S) for the desired gearshift program appears in the speedometer display.

Comfort mode C is characterised by the following:

• an increase in traction. This improves the driving stability of the vehicle on slippery road surfaces, for example.
• the automatic transmission shifting up sooner. The vehicle is driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels are less likely to spin.

Can I ask why you cannot change the car from C mode to S mode in reverse.

This is something I do on my car - should I stop?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Who would buy a Mercedes (non sport model) and not want the most comfortable ride?

 

[Dieselman]

It doesn't alter the springs, just the pull away gear ratio.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

It doesn't alter the springs, just the pull away gear ratio.

Yeah I know but I have found 'S' mode gearchanges too jerky in all our MBs which makes it less comfortable.

I've found the difference in performance small enough not to notice but there's a good deal less thrashing in 'C'

 

[whitenemesis]

My handbook calls it Standard not Sport.

The action is the same

Reverse with C selected uses a longer gear for better control, apparently

 

[st4]

My handbook calls it Standard not Sport.

The action is the same

Reverse with C selected uses a longer gear for better control, apparently

So 5speed cars have 2 reverse gears

Is this why one shouldn't switch between the modes in C and S. I know C has a "spragg clutch" which prevents roll back, S the car can roll back in hills.

 

[Kalel]

Hi, sorry to hijack but my w203 has W and S. Only when I press the button nothing happens! Is this an MB jobby or can I go to an auto electrician? Thanks

 

[mr. shr]

Hi, sorry to hijack but my w203 has W and S. Only when I press the button nothing happens! Is this an MB jobby or can I go to an auto electrician? Thanks

You mean the symbol on your dash doesn't changed from S to W (or W to S) ??

Would need to get the fault codes read via an indy I reckon.

 

[Stratman]

Hi, sorry to hijack but my w203 has W and S. Only when I press the button nothing happens! Is this an MB jobby or can I go to an auto electrician? Thanks

Nothing will "happen" when you press the switch. It just affects the gear in which the car pulls away from rest and the automatic gear upshift points. It's not like a nitrous button