Manual Mode Is Much More Fun

[munchkins]

After spending slightly more than two weeks with my CLA180, I found the seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox to be frustrating at times.

 

The ECO and Sport modes are far from perfect.  The fast gear changes in ECO mode makes the car feel sluggish.  The moment I moved off from standstill, the gears move up too fast even before the rev counter reaches two thousand RPMs.  In Sport mode, the gears hold on far too long that I found myself revving up to four thousand RPMS at times.

 

I tried a combination of ECO/Manual and Sport/Manual which just do not work well.

 

Today I decided to go into full Manual and found it to be much more fun.

 

In Manual mode, I would let the revs go up to about two thousand five hundred RPMs before flipping the paddle shift to change to the next gear.  This allowed me to choose the gear of my preference everytime.  Once I've reached fourth gear or fifth gear, I can hold on much longer without the rev counter going beyond two thousand five RPMs unless I'm reaching expressway speeds.

 

It's just like going back to those days of a manual car but instead of the clutch pedal and gear stick, it's with the shift paddles on the steering wheels.

 

When I first got the car, I always thought that it was underpowered and even contemplated on putting in Racechip or something equivalent.  But after I got a better understanding of the 7-G DCT, I just need to know how to work it to bring the best out of the CLA.

 

Other than the gear box (and the stiff suspension but that's another story in another of my post), the CLA is still a joy to drive.  The design, especially with the AMG kit, makes its presence felt.  It's quiet and stable on the expressways, even when going above 100km/h.  The steering is wonderfully precise with the right amount of weight.  The stock audio system is better than those in most Japanese mid-sized sedans and I love that I can play music through my iPhone (connected via Bluetooth), Compact Disc player, iPod Classic and USB.  The CLA also maintains it's poise when cornering or going around bends at higher speeds.

 

Now that I've got a good use of the paddle shifters, I hope they don't break down due to my frequent usage.

[asiadj]

actually, u can give ur ride a little more time.. it learns as u drives...

 

perhaps u could step a little harder so the gear won't change "so fast" even before it reach 2k rpm.

 

as time pass the car will learn ur behaviour then behave as wat u wan.

[AsteroidS]

nice read... future new owner of the A180 AMG Sports

[AsteroidS]

actually, u can give ur ride a little more time.. it learns as u drives...

 

perhaps u could step a little harder so the gear won't change "so fast" even before it reach 2k rpm.

 

as time pass the car will learn ur behaviour then behave as wat u wan.

 

wah the car will learn driver's behaviour one? 

[asiadj]

wah the car will learn driver's behaviour one? 

 

yes. it will learn ur throttle patterns, sterring pattern, etc etc. very smart ar. then ecu will match up to those, "unknowningly" to u.

 

y unknown, cos u everyday drive, u also dun feel any difference ar..

 

lastly, the coffee cup, that will sound out to u, when it sense u are too tired or falling asleep...

 

it all "works" by learning the driver's pattern / behaviour..

 

think quite a lot of cars of other makes also have these feature liaoz.

[AsteroidS]

yes. it will learn ur throttle patterns, sterring pattern, etc etc. very smart ar. then ecu will match up to those, "unknowningly" to u.

 

y unknown, cos u everyday drive, u also dun feel any difference ar..

 

lastly, the coffee cup, that will sound out to u, when it sense u are too tired or falling asleep...

 

it all "works" by learning the driver's pattern / behaviour..

 

think quite a lot of cars of other makes also have these feature liaoz.

 

just curious, what if there are 2 or more different drivers?

[asiadj]

just curious, what if there are 2 or more different drivers?

 

alamak. ur mar see lee is 220cdi? comfort deigo?  

[AsteroidS]

alamak. ur mar see lee is 220cdi? comfort deigo?  

 

LOL :s13:

[Darkseid]

Only time i use Manual is when i come down from Cameron or Genting. 

[Raider]

usually, i use M before entering a bend, shift down and power out of the bends.

[Darkseid]

oh, to each his own. In singapore for me manual is rather redundant.  I drive like turtle most times and go into and come out of bends slowly.

 

The desecent phase from Cameron is where the manual is of use as i dont wana use the brakes all the way down. I use manual for better control and rely on braking power of the engine.  Only danger here is that the brake lights do not come on when i shift to lower gear so the car behind me wont know i am slowing.

 

I dont use manual even when i went up Cameron and Genting.  No need imho as car has enough tracting and control as we ascend.  The descent is where i need the control from manual.  Also, relying on brakes alone do not give the same degree of control and i can feel the different from the way the car slows and shifts when relying only on brakes for the descent.

 

I was alerted to this when i was driving convoy and my convoy sweeper asked me if i was paddle shifiting and told me he had no warning when my car slowed.

 

usually, i use M before entering a bend, shift down and power out of the bends.

[blackmercs]

Just curious, since you are going down hill your speed is slow by using the brake should be sufficient? By tapping the brake will do if there is hump and bend.

[Darkseid]

Again this preference differs from driver to driver.  You are right brakes will slow the car but for me, its HOW THE CAR IS SLOWED that matters.

 

I did afew journeys to Cameron and Genting and i found its safer and easier to go up. More difficult to come down.  Again this is subjective.  Each leg up and down can take over an hour, depending on traffic situation.  If u are unlucky and there is a big lorry in front then the whole convoy slows and it takes longer.

 

If you use brakes 100% all the way down, the brakes get warm and used alot and unless u have ceramic brakes these may lose their braking power at high speeds. But even at lower speeds using manual gave me better all round control of the car. I cant describe it, i can only feel it especially when descending around a bend as i feel the car "shifts' less. 

 

if i leave the car in 2nd (and some times even in 1st gear) in manual, i can maintain a slow gradual constant controlled descend speed below 50kph.  I dont even need to tap the brakes so often as i rely on the braking power of the engine. And it really takes the stress of the brakes. And when i do need to use the brake, the car is slowed not just by the brakes alone, but by the braking power of the engine too.

 

I am sorry i cant give u a more detailed reply. You really have to go up hill and down dale afew times to feel the diference for yourself.

 

Of cause i am sure most of the more adventurous drivers will max out manual mode when they accelerate fast.  And get the thrill. I dont try that here so i dont comment.  My use of manual is just to slow car down. I know it sounds very boring and is contrary to the spirit of "fun" in this tread so i do appologise if i rained on the TS's parade.

 

Just curious, since you are going down hill your speed is slow by using the brake should be sufficient? By tapping the brake will do if there is hump and bend.

[blackmercs]

Thanks for sharing