2000 C280 Poor throttle response
 

This car has always suffered from poor throttle response. When cruising or entering the highway I have to step on the gas almost through the floor board for this car to move. Additional pressure on the gas pedal has 0 response unless I stick it to the stops.
I have sent it back to the dealership many times and they have "reprogrammed the transmission".
It does seem to come back with better response but this could be in my mind (sorta like the car runs better after it is washed).
Is there something else that needs to be checked?

Thanks

Rob

The transmission is adaptive to your driving style. If you cruise
around on the highway, the trans will adapt to slower kick-down
comands. If you drive in stop and go fast paced driving, the trans
will adapt itself to downshift firmer and faster.
The trans usually upshifts to it's highest gear as soon as possible for maximum fuel economy and lower revs. It is fairly common for
a C280 to be in 5th gear at 34 mph. That means, when you hammer the gas, it has to downshift 2 or 3 gears to get the rev's
up and start acceling. Delayed throttle response is a common trait of the new 3 valve engines and the 5 spd auto.
Sorry but it normal situation. The MB engineers have solved this
problem with the new "Speed Shift" tranny on new AMG cars.
The trans is much more sensitive to throttle imputs and downshifts come 60% quicker.
I can only hope this sytem makes it into all the trannys in the future.
DR.D

Thanks for your reply.

Do you know if there is an aftermarket solution, retrofit or programing patch to help resolve the issue?

I swear that I could use a sundial to time the response of the car.
Nothing better than seeing a 18 wheel semi bearing down on you while the car is trying to decide if it should move a little faster!!!

Thanks

Rob

You should try driving a new C240 auto. Yikes!!!!!
The engine makes all kinds of noise, but the car takes it's sweet
time to do anything. I had a 240d that could kickdown and accel
faster than these things.

As far as fixing your car. I don't know of any patch. MB considers
the shift delay normal and a fluke of "drive by wire".
You might want to call Renntech or Brabus to see if they have any
goodies to fix-up the .6 transmission shift times.

You could use your "tip-shift" to manually shift yourself.
this can speed up the gear change process.
Otherwise you can go to the dealer. Ask them to reset your
transmission shift adaptation data and start driving like an
animal. If you drive like a heavy footed a-hole, the trans may
shift the way you like after a while.

Just a thought.

DR.D

Once again thanks.

Unfortunatley my wife drives the car most of the time. I guess its confused or rebelling agains my foot.

Ill check with the folks you mentioned.

Rob

Throttle response on the M112 engines is dependant on the correct signal from the air mass sensor to the fuel computer.
WE replace 5-10 air mass sensors @ day on these engines for that problem!!!

The MAF sensor was replaced last June due to the check engine light.
The throttle respopnse stayed the same.

Rob