That mysterious European E/S shifter switch

[gsxr]

You've probably seen that E/S shift program selector switch on most European 124 models, also used on a number of other chassis. There's some debate as to the exact meaning of the letters but it's basically "Economy" vs "Sport/Standard". Now, I always thought the USA cars without this fancy setup were defaulted to the "Economy" setting, and if we installed the system we could get a "Sport" setting.

Well, I fiddled around with one of these units on the bench, and made a depressing discovery. The additional function adds the Economy mode. In other words, all US-spec models already have the "Sport" mode all the time. Adding the switch, vac plumbing, and dual-chamber Bowden cable (photo attached) would just allow you to add an Economy mode. Bah, humbug!

Basically the system limits the travel of the control plunger in the tranny... instead of the normal 40mm total travel on the cable, the Economy setting limits the travel to about 25mm max. So you'd always get relatively low shift points, even at (for example) 50-90% throttle. At 100% throttle the kickdown switch/solenoid should activate and bump the shift points to redline, in either E or S mode.

On the bright side, now I don't need to bother obtaining all the parts for the E/S system and installing it on any of my cars.

 

[Jelmer]

You could've just gotten the info right in the first place. E/S isn't "Economy" vs "Sport", but "Enconomy" vs "Standard", which would've told you that if you lack this switch, it's prolly in "Standard" mode
[sub](tho, credit where credits due on the figuring out the fine details -- well done)[/sub]

 

[gerryvz]

:

 

[gsxr]

Good point - but MBNA has this habit of keeping the "good" stuff from us folks on the wrong side of the pond, and I could not find any info on which was the default setting. Oh well, now I know how the silly thing works!

 

[Jelmer]

Adding this feature would be a bit too much effort, I agree, but sometimes it kind of pleasant to drive in E-Mode. Somehow the gearshifts feel more gentle, making the car feel more like a limo

 

[500AMM]

..... making the car feel more like a limo

Hi.

Yes, another paranoic emmision thing and S-class adoption on the .036 - sh..! Just as the air pump, pumping air into the sump tray?! (and wasted money to maintain all this)

Keep in mind that this Economy modus squeezes the gearbox to work harder to transfer the high torque.

Regards
-arnt-

 

[Jelmer]

Keep in mind that this Economy modus squeezes the gearbox to work harder to transfer the high torque.

Really? Are you able to explain why? And, is that only when accelerating or also when cruising?

 

[DerFuror]

A most clever alternate use of this item on North American market cars (as some members have done) is to implement the E/S switch as an "F/S" switch for controlling 1st or 2nd gear starts.

Economy...who purchased one of these cars for its economical traits??

My 500E(conomy) mode is when the car sits in the garage.

 

[500AMM]

Really? Are you able to explain why? And, is that only when accelerating or also when cruising?

Jelmer,

On moderate throttling/accelleration it holds the higher gear longer before it shifts down, so the engine works harder and that forces is undertaken by the tranny. For easy cruising it may not be that critical.

As I say for fun - my cars use sligthly below 1.0 litre/10kilometers - the additional fuel consume on top of that is called hobby...

 

[Cavanman]

While the "Economy" mode may get better fuel consumption, for me the primary advantage is the slightly different driving mode it gives.

I find this mainly in city/town driving. If you're in traffic but you just want to slot into a another lane, in standard mode the car is liable to change down and launch forward with more noise and speed than I want. In economy mode it will stay in gear and just use the torque to accelerate without the same drama.

I wouldn't pay any extra for it though and most of the time I leave it in standard mode.

 

[need2speed]

A most clever alternate use of this item on North American market cars (as some members have done) is to implement the E/S switch as an "F/S" switch for controlling 1st or 2nd gear starts.

Exactly! I prefer to think of it as "Easy goin" and "Shite!"

 

[alexis]

Hi,
I also have this feature on my car as it is a european model.
I usually use the E mode in town where there is no need and no place for hurry and as the gear changes are softer.
Out of town, I switch to S because the reactions of the car are more adapted to our "national" roads usually made of large curve and short straight portions : easier to overtake quickly.
And in fact, the last mode, the crazy one, I mean the kick down, is not that often needed but always so enjoyable.
All together, I quite like the gearbox that, in my mind, works pretty well with the engine, especially considering the power available.
Alex

 

[Davide]

I've been playing with this switch on my european model and found the S setting to be more economical than E! In E, I regularly got between 18 and 20 MPG, in the S setting it's in the range of 22-25 MPG. Much the same type of driving in both situations. The S mode obviously provides better kick down, but is that all it does? Seems strange to get a 20% increase in economy in the non economy mode. Either way, it's staying in S mode, more fun and if you're gentle, perfectly smooth too!

Davide

 

[amerh]

Stupid question I know, but if the switch is covering say the "S" (withe the "E" visible) does that mean it is in sport mode? I have assumed this was the case, but playing around with it while driving...it almost seems the reverse...lol.

 

[doolar]

Stupid question I know, but if the switch is covering say the "S" (withe the "E" visible) does that mean it is in sport mode? I have assumed this was the case, but playing around with it while driving...it almost seems the reverse...lol.

The letter that shows is the mode you're in. We have these switches on almost all models with auto tranny. Not very useful at all, however more so on the cars with smaller engines. But it's mainly a blank shot regarding MPG. I never have mine set on anything but Standard mode in any of our cars.

 

[Cadence]

At Wide Open Throttle will the transmission shift at the same RPM and with the same gear change speed in both settings?

 

[gerryvz]

At Wide Open Throttle will the transmission shift at the same RPM and with the same gear change speed in both settings?

I believe that when the WOT switch is pressed, shift points default to occur (whether in E or S mode) at max RPM.

I use my E/S switch to control the Bergwerks FGS mode between "regular" and "sport" modes. I think of "S" as "slow" and "E" (I need to modify it to an F) as "fast" mode -- which holds the gear longer before upshifting.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

At Wide Open Throttle will the transmission shift at the same RPM and with the same gear change speed in both settings?

Yes, I believe so. At WOT, the upshift is primarily controlled by the kickdown solenoid, and the WOT up shift RPM should be at 6000rpm or slightly above.

EDIT: At WOT, the upshift is primarily controlled by the kickdown solenoid, but also requires the correct signal from the control pressure (Bowden) cable. This assumes the gear selector is in "D".

 

[Klink]

All above is true. Also, the circuit to the solenoid vacuum valve that applies the cable de-tensioner is routed through a set of additional normally closed contacts in the kickdown switch, so that under kickdown, the vacuum is immediately removed from the cable. That's those unused terminals that many of us may have noticed in the kickdown switches over the years.

 

[Yuka]

"E" is from German, it is not English. Mean Comfort in English. "S" is Standart. In "E" gearbox change gear less time this is what name Comfort and yes it is more fuel consumption.

 

[Christian_K]

I have a different discovery of that thing... Ill post it later

 

[Davide]

"E" is from German, it is not English. Mean Comfort in English. "S" is Standart. In "E" gearbox change gear less time this is what name Comfort and yes it is more fuel consumption.

That's not right, I have the original german manual and E definitely stands for economy. Translation for the E program:

"The E program enables a quiet, comfortable and economical driving style and facilitates driving on flat roads."

S definitely does mean Standard and not Sport, but it's essentially the same, in S, the gearbox is somewhat more reactive and tends to drop down earlier and shift up later.

 

[Christian_K]

Ok here is my Input:
"E" stands for "ECONOMY" and "S" for "STANDARD". I assume that every German Benz owner knows that and its written in the factory booklet.

According to my knowledge and test drives of various 500Es its like that in germany:

"S" Mode: Starting with Full-Throttle, the car switches Back to first gear and you more or less start in first gear.
"E" Mode: Starting with Full-Throttle, the car remains in second gear and start in second gear.

"S" Mode: You drive 80mph (~130kmh) and press a little more than 1/2 throttle with your pedal, the car shifts down from 4th into 3rd gear
"E" Mode: You drive 80mph (~130kmh) and press a little more than 1/2 throttle with your pedal, the car remains in 4th gear and accelerates gently. However pressing Full-Throttle will also let the gearbox shift down into 3rd.

That were my findings for the actual working mode.
I ordered the bowden-cable actuator in the US over US-ebay, but with the correct European Part-Nr!. I did so because the seller was IIRC more than 50% cheaper than in germany. It was a leftover part and i was very quick (buy it now).
The "Port" on that actuator that is for the E/S Mode was just covered with a little rubber Plug. So i removed it and connected all lines according to EPC/WIS/FSM. My E/S Switch is working and it controls/routes vacuum over the little actuator in the engine bay, over to that bowden-cable actuator at the gearbox.

However, my car seems to be Stuck in "E" mode. My bowden-cable is correctly set. Still, there is only a Downshift when going WOT (see above ist of "modes") and my car ALWAYS starts in second gear, no matter how much i press the pedal.
Only way to accelerate quickly when necessary i using the kickdown-button.
So what does that mean? That MB Unified all part Numbers into a single bowden-Unit and made the US E/S mode simply non functional internally? Or did i do something wrong during assembly? There are no leaks in my all new vacuum hoses.

Mystery....

 

[Klink]

In the ECE cars of this vintage it is, and always has been "economy" and "standard". Here in the land of the free, the ECE cable was always supplied as the replacement part so it is not surprising that you were able to buy the "correct" one here.

It sounds like you may not have the "L" shaped round metal link installed into the sliding block at the end of the cable. That would essentially leave your cable without any function. This is often the case when one of these is replaced. It is difficult enough to install with the transmission in the car. It is very much more difficult, and actually impossible for many people to do it correctly with the oil pan installed. There's a trick or two to it but I could only "show" you. It would be about impossible to simply describe.

Maybe someone else here has done it and has some photos and / or related information?

I'll keep watching this thread...

 

[Christian_K]

It sounds like you may not have the "L" shaped round metal link installed into the sliding block at the end of the cable. That would essentially leave your cable without any function. This is often the case when one of these is replaced. It is difficult enough to install with the transmission in the car. It is very much more difficult, and actually impossible for many people to do it correctly with the oil pan installed. There's a trick or two to it but I could only "show" you. It would be about impossible to simply describe.

Hi, i have replaced the unit when my gearbox was out of the car. I did it on my workbench and with the pan removed, otherwise it was not possible to fiddle the metal into the link inside the gearbox.

 

[Klink]

Hi, i have replaced the unit when my gearbox was out of the car. I did it on my workbench and with the pan removed, otherwise it was not possible to fiddle the metal into the link inside the gearbox.

I'm hoping you meant fiddle the metal into the link inside the cable ? If you disassembled the metal bits inside the transmission case, other mis-assembly possibilities may exist...

I'm going to be off line for a while, I'll check back in later.

BTW, those flat face forged 215 / 220 wheels are an all time favorite of mine.

Best,

Klink

 

[gsxr]

When all else fails... Read The Factory Manual (RTFM):

 

[savmjv]

When all else fails... Read The Factory Manual (RTFM):

I'm glad you clarified what RTFM is short for. I would have guess "Read the F@#!in' Manual"....but maybe that's only when something is more frustrating or you've already told them 3 times.

 

[M104-AMG]

I'm glad you clarified what RTFM is short for. I would have guess "Read the F@#!in' Manual"....but maybe that's only when something is more frustrating or you've already told them 3 times.

"Read the F@#!in' Manual" was prevalent in all my UNIX days . . .

neil

 

[Efraim]

Hello,

I'll loan this old topic. Time to time the E/S-mode in my euro spec car don't work. To my understanding the E/S electric switch controls vacuum actuator which passes vacuum to gear box or not. To start debugging I'd like know where the vacuum actuator is placed. I didn't find it in any wiring charts. Does anybody know?

Thanks, Efraim

 

[gsxr]

I'd like know where the vacuum actuator is placed. I didn't find it in any wiring charts. Does anybody know?

I'm not 100% certain, but I suspect it is located behind the brake booster, near the cold-upshift-delay vacuum actuator?

 

[nocfn]

That one [behind the brake booster] controls the upshift delay [on USA-spec cars], and that pierburg valve on the [passenger] fender controls the air pump at startup.

[GSXR edits in brackets.]

 

[Efraim]

Yes, there is one vacuum valve beside brake booster that has pipe to gearbox but it should be for upshift delay. I found only this one around booster, So I need to countinue seeking.

Behind right front headlight inside fender there are two vacuum valves side by side, for air pump and for EGR.

 

[gsxr]

Yes, there is one vacuum valve beside brake booster that has pipe to gearbox but it should be for upshift delay. I found only this one around booster, So I need to countinue seeking.

Check to make sure there are 2 vacuum tubes gong to the transmission control pressure cable box on the passenger side. Trace where the 2 tubes come from. That will locate the missing valve. If you only have a single vac tube... the E/S function may not be set up on your car? I assume your car has catalysts from the factory, btw (I believe non-KAT cars were relatively rare).

 

[RobertK]

Well, I fiddled around with one of these units on the bench, and made a depressing discovery. The additional function adds the Economy mode. In other words, all US-spec models already have the "Sport" mode all the time. Adding the switch, vac plumbing, and dual-chamber Bowden cable (photo attached) would just allow you to add an Economy mode

Is this also the case for cars which have been sold for the Japanese market ?

 

[gsxr]

Is this also the case for cars which have been sold for the Japanese market ?

Yes, I believe so... look at some Japan-spec cars and see if the E/S switch is missing same as in USA.

 

[yao500e]

You've probably seen that E/S shift program selector switch on most European 124 models, also used on a number of other chassis. There's some debate as to the exact meaning of the letters but it's basically "Economy" vs "Sport/Standard". Now, I always thought the USA cars without this fancy setup were defaulted to the "Economy" setting, and if we installed the system we could get a "Sport" setting.

Well, I fiddled around with one of these units on the bench, and made a depressing discovery. The additional function adds the Economy mode. In other words, all US-spec models already have the "Sport" mode all the time. Adding the switch, vac plumbing, and dual-chamber Bowden cable (photo attached) would just allow you to add an Economy mode. Bah, humbug!

Basically the system limits the travel of the control plunger in the tranny... instead of the normal 40mm total travel on the cable, the Economy setting limits the travel to about 25mm max. So you'd always get relatively low shift points, even at (for example) 50-90% throttle. At 100% throttle the kickdown switch/solenoid should activate and bump the shift points to redline, in either E or S mode.

On the bright side, now I don't need to bother obtaining all the parts for the E/S system and installing it on any of my cars.

really good information. thank you! the bowen cable - vacuum modulator could be adjust MANUALLY for more aggressive shifts.

This would probably mean that the C36 or e420 / 400e which has factory First gear start without this S / E switch is just always in the standard mode.

 

[gsxr]

This would probably mean that the C36 or e420 / 400e which has factory First gear start without this S / E switch is just always in the standard mode.

Correct - always in standard mode. Most of us probably aren't interested in the "Economy" mode with early (lower-RPM) upshifts.

 

[yao500e]

Correct - always in standard mode. Most of us probably aren't interested in the "Economy" mode with early (lower-RPM) upshifts.

really awesome information. very helpful. so basically, no need to have this E / S swtich though it does make the 4 speed 722.3 shifter area look cool. haha

 

[rayhennig]

Correct - always in standard mode.

I have the E/S switch on my 5-speed 300CE-24 and I've always called is Economy/Sportline. E is a bit safer on a slippery road as the engine can be a bit furious at times.

I'm in E mode now as it's raining here and they've resurfaced some of the local roads and there's gravel everywhere.

I've never noticed much difference in fuel consumption.

RayH