I was wondering how much of a difference you guys feel in performance when you drive while holding the auto-stick to the left and keep it there in the downshifting position.

I was reading on MB website about the trans and you can hold there for one second or just hold it and it will go into sport mode and drive like that.

I feel like I'm in a different car, it makes the shift points extremely aggressive and it will stay in the lowest gear possible even when staying linear with the throttle for extended periods of time, and wont shift to the next gear until I hit what seems to be 6200 RPM and when it shifts it is so much harder and stronger.

I just love it I cannot believe the difference.

In addition, I noticed on the MB site that most of their fastest cars still run the same trans as ours the 5 speed auto-stick versus the 7 speed auto-stick? seems like their base models run the 7 speed. I would have thought they would run the 7 speeds auto-sticks in all their cars and phase out the 5 since they should be the same Tran's except now you have 2 additional gears for better gas mileage and higher top speeds....

Again though after driving for 2 weeks honing my driving while holding the stick in the downshift position the car is a freaking monster when I need it to be, just like the MB site was stating. it is like the car learns my driving habits and it really seems to know my next logical step.

before it would act like it was fighting me trying to shift at the most inopportune times.

I already knew about the car attempting to learn the drivers habits and you could down shift for better performance, but after reading the site and it went into detail about how you cold just hold down for one second or hold it continuous and it would still shift properly i.e. always shifting at red-line, but not before and still downshift properly again only dropping down to the lowest possible gear, but always avoiding over revving but it would downshift much more aggressively

it said the Tran would always ensure every second it was in the most aggressive gear that provided the highest level of horsepower and torque without fear of damage or over revving...

man, what 2 weeks can do spending at least a total of over 4 hours of actual drive time and between 150 to 200 or more miles a day in my car. I have learned how to optimize every feature possible in my car.

Like when I do get stuck in gridlock traffic I will use that time to confirm my seat adjustment and mirrors adjustments. i start by putting the seat all the back and in the lowest position. I then will move the bottom of the seat forward while at the same time moving the back part of the bottom of the seat, up and toward the dash. I then take the back rest and begin moving it into as much of a straight up position as I can and then have it come all the up until it rests as firmly as possibly upon my back. This allows for my body to sit as far back and low as possible, but yet I can completely lay my entire back including neck and head perfectly and very snuggly, into the entire seat and still be in the most absolute perfect driving position for me.

This reduces driving fatigue because the whole body is supported. and it allows for me to always be in the exact same spot every time for mirror adjustments and allows my body and mind to instinctively learn that when in that position everything in the car will always be in that exact spot,

plus since my body including my neck and head are firmly buried into the entire seat, it would assist in a wreck and furthermore, it allows for me to be as far as you can be away from the airbag as possible. it also allows for me to pull my left leg up and I can rest my entire arm on the natural flow of my leg while still be able to grip then steering wheel and be able to turn it 360 degrees without interference. While my left leg assist in keeping my body firmly in the seat even during extreme aggressive maneuvering.

I then adjust the rear view mirror to show the entire back window with the back window being the only focal point.

Then I go to the drivers mirror and pretty much move it to where the inside part of the mirror itself is where it appears to be flush or flat and level. Then I move it straight out to the left as to where the inside rim of the mirror comes out as far as it can go and the outside rim becomes as recessed into the mirror housing as possible, while maintaining a neutral flat position.

Because while sitting properly in my seat I have a very large, wide, sweeping view of my drivers side. while creating a blind spot right next to the driver door starting at the door handle going forward, The reason for this is because this area is viewable from my peripheral vision already and in that driving position, the mirror is not needed for this viewing area because by slightly turning my head, but never taking complete vision away from the front of the car.

(I try and reduce the amount of actual head movement in order to be able to keep my main focus in front of me).

I then do something very similar to the passenger mirror, but it seems to be more forgiving and not requiring as much detail for some reason.

Now after I have completed all of the settings I then test ALL VIEWING ANGLES! of the car by looking at what I can see while sitting in my driving position and then turning my head completely to each side examining where the actual locations of the vehicles are and checking to see if I am not able to see absolutely everything in a complete 360 degree radius while sitting in my proper driving position head facing forward.

I will then site there on purpose to allow cars to approach me on both sides examining one side at a time and allow them to completely pass me while I examine the process to ensure I was able to see the cars well before it even approached my car and ensure i was able to see them throughout their entire passing process, until their back bumpers pass my front bumper.

so when that is done I am now able to be fully rested in my seat comfortable, to reduce fatigue, and ensure the safest drive possible for me and those around me.

Also, I check all gauges though out the drive including before and after the drive and do a complete walk around and check fluids daily in the evening before I go to bed.