C180 - Supercharger confused

[Guest natvek]

Just got my C180 ride, im a newbie to mercs and im confused by the way the car is handling. Im not sure abt superchargers so i dnt know characteristically how it works. On occassions the car surges pretty well, but on other occassions the car seems to pick up so sluggishly. Is there a particular rpm band which the supercharger kicks in ??? Somehow i find that the car picks up better if you gradually press on the accelrator rather than a flat out stomp on the paddles. Anyone able to advise. Would really like to know....do you need to "chargeup" the supercharger before hard accelerations? I know C180 cant really run :tongue1: but would like to know how the car behaves .... TIA for the advise!!! ;D

[Guest m1122]

I have a W204 C180. What's yours? If same then it drives as any normal car. Only difference is when you floor the accelerator. Tho throttle response is not immediate, you will get a "surge" as the kompressor kicks in. This is quite typical. If you a cruising, there is a flat spot in the power when accelerating from 50km up to 60 km but for me I just step harder on the accelerator to overcome this slowness.

[Guest natvek]

Yup, got a W204 C180, but got it in a colour that most wouldnt get ;D - calcite white. but i guess i just loved the colour on the W204 to think too much. Yeah i love the surge, only thing is i never know when the surge kicks in, but when it does, it sure feels smooth.... :thumbsup:. Problem is, i begining to get used to being heavy footed. ;D Thanks for the input!

[Guest kopimonster]

I have a W204 C180. What's yours? If same then it drives as any normal car. Only difference is when you floor the accelerator. Tho throttle response is not immediate, you will get a "surge" as the kompressor kicks in. This is quite typical. If you a cruising, there is a flat spot in the power when accelerating from 50km up to 60 km but for me I just step harder on the accelerator to overcome this slowness.

pardon my ignorance, i've nv driven a SC car before, but am suprise that you experience lag as well, tot only TCed cars get it.

[Guest Archer]

Just got my C180 ride, im a newbie to mercs and im confused by the way the car is handling. Im not sure abt superchargers so i dnt know characteristically how it works. On occassions the car surges pretty well, but on other occassions the car seems to pick up so sluggishly. Is there a particular rpm band which the supercharger kicks in ??? Somehow i find that the car picks up better if you gradually press on the accelrator rather than a flat out stomp on the paddles. Anyone able to advise. Would really like to know....do you need to "chargeup" the supercharger before hard accelerations? I know C180 cant really run :tongue1: but would like to know how the car behaves .... TIA for the advise!!! ;D

Hello there natvek!

The supercharger forces air into the car engine increasing cycles, hence power output of the engine. The supercharger is on all the time so there is no particular RPM band (unlike the VTEC which kicks in after 5200rpm for the Honda EK SiR) or charging up is required.

I do believe that ur car, being new, is still trying to 'learn' about ur driving habits so the computer is still not in tune with your driving style regarding when to change gear, etc. Being a new car, I recommend that u try to break her in slowly especially during the first 1500km. Try not to rev her above 3000rpm altho tempting. Afterall, the C-class is a refined fraulein and not a japanese race queen.

On a personal note, I noticed that my C180 (in Comfort mode) also does not downshift appropriately sometimes..but all I have to do is just to flick the gear stick to the left and she will rocket away the competition!

And in case u need a good bedtime story, u can read all about the kompressor engine here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercharger

:thumbsup:

[g8crasher]

Supercharged cars have linear response unlike turbocharged cars that require the turbocharger to spool before unleashing the torrent of power (spooling time dependent on turbocharger housing, inlet/outlet size etc.) With turbocharged cars you have an antilag option (provided your ECU has that ability - Autronics SMC/Clubman has this function).

If you want flat out instant response from your C, install a sprint booster. This device gets rid of the lag involved when you stomp on your accelerator pedal. Contact MBM Wheelpower for more information.

[Guest Cklasse]

It is a fact for the C180 or 200 to not response immediately when the pedal is stomped hard and fast from stand still. It will only move with reluctance before a sudden shove propels the car forward and yes! the car will just keep going forward like on free rolling bearing. I sometimes wonder is the car going to stop moving as the wheels are rolling so smoothly.

If I am not wrong, the supercharger only comes on at 3000 rpm. Anyone wants to verify?

[Guest natvek]

Thanks bros for all the input! ;D Hahaha at least now i know a little when frens start asking about "kompressor"

And in case u need a good bedtime story, u can read all about the kompressor engine here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercharger

Hi Archer, thanks for link, it WAS a good read. :clap: ive always thot that all grades (octane) of petrol were more or less the same, of course as long as your car meets the min RON rating. but was surprise to read on wikipedia that the higher the octane will actually increase the power output for superchargers. You learn something new everyday! Hmmm...Vpower anyone? ;D

Extract from wikipedia - "Higher octane fuel burns slower at the same temperature than low octane fuel, reducing the risk of detonation. As a result, the amount of boost supplied by the superchargers could be increased."

[Guest CBlack]

the sprint booster is supposed to overcome this problem but unfortunately, there isn't one for the W204 yet. there is another product "power paddle" which works similar to sprint booster. i am checking with benzline which carry this and heard that for w204, it should be available soon.

[Guest Archer]

It is a fact for the C180 or 200 to not response immediately when the pedal is stomped hard and fast from stand still. It will only move with reluctance before a sudden shove propels the car forward and yes! the car will just keep going forward like on free rolling bearing. I sometimes wonder is the car going to stop moving as the wheels are rolling so smoothly.

If I am not wrong, the supercharger only comes on at 3000 rpm. Anyone wants to verify?

Mmm..that's what I thought so too initially, bro. But u can check out this site:

http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/Markets/Automotive/ProductsandSolutions/Superchargers/index.htm

The supercharger is pulley driven and is already running when u start ur engine. That's why there's that whine u hear when there is rapid acceleration esp from a standstill position. I found this vid on youtube which comes closest to what I mean (although idiotic):

would like to comment more but i can't think anymore today...

feel free to disagree