power problem

[Hocky]

Its 33 degrees C at the moment and I had to have my a/c on with 2 passengers on board. The area is very hilly and the roads can get quite steep. My car won't kickdown automatically far enough like 4 to 3 only so I have to use the kick switch and it goes another gear to 2. This does not happen to be low enough so I move the handle to 3 and nothing happens because its already in 2? I didn't move it to 2 because this is not advisable when the car is running and the accelerator is on the floor? Its a Euro C180 with already 194,000kms. It feels so powerless that people are getting around me and accelerating off when I cant't do anything but creep along. Very disgusting it is. I kickdown twice and three times, but no further changes occur with the gears. Is the engine buggerred? Are the pistons worn out? I know the car is ridiculously underpowered, don't tell me! But then it should be able to go uphill even with a full load of 4 reasonably weighted people. Whats wrong with it. Don't tell me its normal again for the C180!

[deanyel]

In the U.S. we don't see anything less than a 220, plus we're in the winter mode here, thinking about snow tires and things. I would get the compression checked, maybe drive another 180 and see if it feels like it has more power. It doesn't seem like the engine should be going already - 220s here have a great reputation.

[ctaylor738]

Our C220 is no ball of fire with four adults aboard going up a steep hill. But I have never had to go lower than 3rd gear to keep moving at highway speeds.

What speed are you trying to maintain going up the steep hill?

[hocky1]

The trouble with my neighbourhood is that its very hilly being a former fruit orchard district. They made the roads on the ups and downs instead of cutting a lot more to level the road's gradient. There are a few traffic lights along these roads and some at the bottom. Also there are intersections which we have to slow down to avoid collisions in case of another car entering the main road suddenly. The speed limit is 70kph and you cannot keep this speed going up and down. Very often we are caught at the bottom red light or slowed down by heavy vehicles. My car struggles uphill unless I can go at 90 to 100kph and it will get through without too much fuss. However, the cops are usually there when you don't expect them and the radar is pointing at you! I reckon the C220 or higher will be able to cope with this better. I'll have to move to a flatter area or change to a higher powered car.

[RKreutzer]

There are dots on the speedometer that tell you how fast you can be in each gear. I have one dot at about 65 km/h, indicating I can be in first gear up to that point. The engine will be at its max. rev point at that spot. I have 2 dots at 115 km/h and 3 dots at 195 km/h for second and third gear respectively.
So if you need to go uphill and your speed is below that 2 dots on your speedometer, it is save to shift manually into 2.
I don't know the 180 engine, but second gear should be good for 70 km/h.
Give it a try.
Now weather your transmission is adjusted properly is another story.

Reinhard Kreutzer

[ctaylor738]

I fiddled around with manual shifting in the 220 yesterday. The kickdown to 2 over about 60 kph or higher is pretty ugly at full throttle and would have to be tough on the transmission. Maybe it would be better to stay in 2 from the stop, not allowing a shift to 3, when you are in a traffic situation. At least then you would not have the violent downshift.

[RKreutzer]

That would be my way of driving, too