Ok I need some hints on how to run the 1/4 mile. I have an automatic couple and need to know what buttons to turn off and what setting to set the W or S on tranny b4 I run, also what relay for the rear wing.

 

trans in manula mode esp off and wing will deploy when it should. once you launch hold it to the floor and let the car do the rest

 

and W stands for warp speed

 

The first time I ran I just put it in drive. Do u think if it shifts manual on itself I would have a better time?

 

Charmander, I think when most people run their "automatic" XF's at the drags, they usually get their best times by simply putting the gear selector into 1st, and leaving it there. I think they turn the traction control off as well.
I'm not knocking your car, but I think most "stock" NA roadsters are supposed to run the 1/4 mile in less than 15.478 seconds.
Maybe your "custom" CAI isn't flowing as well as the factory CAI does.
Just a thought. Good Luck

 

thank you for the info. I think your right about the cai. Also Ty for the advice on putting it on first gear and letting it go from there. I thought all this time that I had to do was put on D and push tc off and put on W and let her loose. Ty for ur post.

 

Why are you putting the car in "W" mode. That's the winter mode and the vehicle launches from 2nd gear, not first. I'm not racing or taking mine to the track and will most certainly defer to those who are and have experience at the track, but it seems to me if you leave it in first -- while she'll keep pulling, at some point in the rpm range she's gonna max out / red line and accelleration will be limited due to gearing. If you doing the quarter mile, maybe the gearing supports it, but I'd certainly like to hear from some other forum members on there approaches at the track first. (PS. If you are in manual mode and have the car in 1st -- I think W mode is over-ridden anyway.)

Good luck with your times.

 

PNA, It's my understanding that it's impossible to fool the Mercedes "automatic" transmission, and make it do anything that will harm it. Thus by putting it in 1st. gear and leaving it there, all it's going to do is stay in that gear until you reach an optimal RPM, then it will "automatically" shift into the next gear and do the same thing as long as you have the gas peddal firmly planted on the floor, no matter what.
I drive a 6 spd. (and I don't drag race anymore either) so as you suggested, maybe some SRT "drag racers" should chime in here and give the best possible advice on exactly what should be done.

 

Not sure if I want to....lol
practice will make you faster. you have to find what works for you. taking off the traction control is first and foremost, second is making sure you are in summer mode. Third, placing the shifter into 1st. Now the fun part, which is brake torquing the car. Some like to bring the rpms up high, some don't. This you have to practice...because now we are dealing with what tires you are running, air pressure, etc...all will play into that launch speed. Once you have figured out that majic rpm to launch, you bring the car up to that rpm, wait for the light, launch, once she shifts to 2nd, you can shift to 2nd, once she shifts to 3rd, you shift to third, and you will finish in 4th. Your foot should have been stuck thru the floorboard the whole time down the track...and it is what it is....once you see your time, you say to yourself....self, I need to go faster...and the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ flow.

 

Sorry Doc, this may confuse the OP.... it did me.... putting the auto in 1st gear and TC off and flooring the gas on lauch AND holding it there will make the car wind out to red line(or close) through each gear with NO shifting required by the driver.....

Doc is correct about the $$$$ flowing after that too....

 

Good to know the car will protect itself. Also, what MikeR wrote is what I would have expected (In combination with what Doc and Mike R wrote.) I've had automatics before that didn't shift upon (or near) redline and have blown some hoses (luckily not the engines).

 

I forgot to mention... dont forget to take your foot off the gas at the end of the 1/4..... you need a looong runway if you want to test 4th and 5th gear limits.....

 

mike i get 4th gear redline right at the traps on my 32

 

Wow! The Aero shifts into 4th at around 1000' or so for me.... by the time I hit 5th I'd be way too far down the track for comfort....

 

Not really Mike...if he would or you would have a catastrophic break, and you still had in first and had not up shifted to second after cars did, you would be in no man's land, coming back down hard with a downshift you probably weren't ready for...being new at it...now us old farts probably would react to it...needs some practice...so, I would follow up with a shift...

 

What you want to do is put it in Drive. Semi auto waists time at red line. The traction control needs to be off. When you stage hold the brake with the left foot and gently use your right foot to get to 2000 RPMs (don't let the car move). At .500 sec before the green light (practice this) let go of the break and pedal to the metal. Keep a straight pattern during the run. If you go to my site and to my YouTube videos you will see that I had 2 perfect launches against the Challenger SRT8 and Corvette pulling 3-4 car lengths at the line.

There are other tips, such as don't drive though the water, pick the best lane, watch the track temperature, tire pressure high psi in the front low on the rear, lower the weight, have very little gas, use 104 oct gas from the track... wind speed...planets alignment...pray...

 

now you see why I don't like to comment....everyone has a different approach...and you will develop your own...but all good tips to get you started. I like to play with mine...not an all out "drag car" but a car I like to drag race with once in awhile. I am gearing up to do more with the coupe in 2011, but may back off a bit. I really like both my cars, and even though I like to drive them hard once in awhile, they are still my toys. Don't like to break the toys....good luck with your racing...but, practice is the most important thing you can do...you will keep getting better, and once you peak, then the $$$$$$$$$$$$ start...because now you want to go even faster...lol

 

Mine is tuned to shift into 4th at the quarter mark...so, you only need 3, but no more than 4 gears...

 

Never attracted to drag racing. It has no application to the street or getting from point A to B efficiently. That said I Play on the street with my bikes. 6K and drop the hammer. Never my Crossfire. Gary

 

Never owned a bike that I dare drop the hammer on at 6K....lol.....and like wheelies....