7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
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LEISURE / AUTOS & MOTORCYCLES / CAR & TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS
See also: car & truck enthusiasts
Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG
August 10, 2013
1:11 AM MST
Best way to launch an W211 E55 AMG
A great launch optimizes as much power as possible for the available traction.
San Jose Cars Examiner
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
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Can you please tell me the best way to launch my car at the drag strip? I’m running bone stock.
Thanks in advance,
F. Goico
The supercharged V-8 in the W211 E55 is rated at 469hp and 520 lb ft of torque. Despite all that power, there are some established
techniques to obtain a very good launch. Measured as the 60ft, your goal on a decently prepped track should be 1.8x seconds.
A couple of essential basics are good tires and not letting the tires get too wet. Track surface, weather conditions (humidity and
temperature), tire construction and tread will determine the best tire pressure to use, but start at the recommended pressure for your
car/tire and drop 5psi and 10psi to find the best pressure.
Drive around the water box because the front tires will shed water that the rears will pick up. If you’re not allowed to back into it, smoke
the tires just a little to get the rubber temperature warm and therefore sticky. Too much heat and they will get slippery.
Make sure you put your suspension in Comfort mode and also Raised. The reason is to transfer weight to the rear during the launch to
increase rear wheel traction. Some report on the MBworld.org forums that they didn’t see a benefit with the raised setting. If it increases
consistency, that can be important if the number of runs you can get is limited.
Put the transmission in sport mode for optimal shifting. Do not manually shift the car. The next step is to left foot brake and with your right
foot raise the rpms to a suggested range of 1100-1200. On the last yellow light at the dragstrip, release the brake while applying the
throttle. This is where you’ll have to learn to manage the power applied versus what the track and tires will support.
Check out this link for even more tips and experiences by MBworld.org forum members:
http://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/236339-drag-racing-how.html
Good luck and have fun!
_____
Have a question about cars you would like answered? Want to know about performance, racing, modifying, shopping, makes, models,
events, etc.? Reach me here: AskRobAboutCars@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer your question and publish it here!
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
3/4
SUGGESTED LINKS
Lesser powered car wins against a more powerful one? Ask Rob About Cars
Indy Cars vs. Formula One - Which is faster? Ask Rob About Cars
2011 Ford Mustang GT Automatic Soft Launch? Ask Rob About Cars
Robert Eckaus
San Jose Cars Examiner
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
4/4
© 2006-2015 AXS Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
1/4
LEISURE / AUTOS & MOTORCYCLES / CAR & TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS
See also: car & truck enthusiasts
Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG
August 10, 2013
1:11 AM MST
Best way to launch an W211 E55 AMG
A great launch optimizes as much power as possible for the available traction.
San Jose Cars Examiner
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
SUGGESTED LINKS 2/4
Can you please tell me the best way to launch my car at the drag strip? I’m running bone stock.
Thanks in advance,
F. Goico
The supercharged V-8 in the W211 E55 is rated at 469hp and 520 lb ft of torque. Despite all that power, there are some established
techniques to obtain a very good launch. Measured as the 60ft, your goal on a decently prepped track should be 1.8x seconds.
A couple of essential basics are good tires and not letting the tires get too wet. Track surface, weather conditions (humidity and
temperature), tire construction and tread will determine the best tire pressure to use, but start at the recommended pressure for your
car/tire and drop 5psi and 10psi to find the best pressure.
Drive around the water box because the front tires will shed water that the rears will pick up. If you’re not allowed to back into it, smoke
the tires just a little to get the rubber temperature warm and therefore sticky. Too much heat and they will get slippery.
Make sure you put your suspension in Comfort mode and also Raised. The reason is to transfer weight to the rear during the launch to
increase rear wheel traction. Some report on the MBworld.org forums that they didn’t see a benefit with the raised setting. If it increases
consistency, that can be important if the number of runs you can get is limited.
Put the transmission in sport mode for optimal shifting. Do not manually shift the car. The next step is to left foot brake and with your right
foot raise the rpms to a suggested range of 1100-1200. On the last yellow light at the dragstrip, release the brake while applying the
throttle. This is where you’ll have to learn to manage the power applied versus what the track and tires will support.
Check out this link for even more tips and experiences by MBworld.org forum members:
http://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/236339-drag-racing-how.html
Good luck and have fun!
_____
Have a question about cars you would like answered? Want to know about performance, racing, modifying, shopping, makes, models,
events, etc.? Reach me here: AskRobAboutCars@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer your question and publish it here!
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
3/4
SUGGESTED LINKS
Lesser powered car wins against a more powerful one? Ask Rob About Cars
Indy Cars vs. Formula One - Which is faster? Ask Rob About Cars
2011 Ford Mustang GT Automatic Soft Launch? Ask Rob About Cars
Robert Eckaus
San Jose Cars Examiner
7/3/2016 Drag strip advice for the Mercedes E55 AMG | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/dragstripadviceforthemercedese55amg
4/4
© 2006-2015 AXS Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
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