S55 AMG, S65 AMG , S63 AMG (W220, W221) 2001 - 2013 (Two Generations)

"Hard Shift" from 1st to 2nd gear on S65

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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 09:50 AM
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S65
"Hard Shift" from 1st to 2nd gear on S65

In the mornings, I have a very hard shift on my 06 S65 or pop from 1st to 2nd gear. It lasts only for a few miles, then all is smooth again, but the shift is so hard, it almost knocks the coffee right out of your hand. Any ideas?
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Old Apr 27, 2012 | 08:34 AM
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mrbenzes's Avatar
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2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
It may be time for a fluid/filter change for your transmission....all of that torque is there and a cold transmission isnt controlling it with old fluid.
How many miles are on your car?
Mike
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Old Apr 27, 2012 | 09:22 AM
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S65
75K miles, but I have had it serviced regularly...is trans fluid part of the normal maint provided?
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Old Apr 27, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
No, I think MB considers these transmissions as sealed units for life...what a joke. I think 60K miles is a good interval.
Dealer quoted me $400 to do a change on my S55...S65 will cost more.
Filter and fluid are about $100 - $120 for S55.
Mike
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Old Apr 27, 2012 | 06:22 PM
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'09 CLK550, '18 AMG GTR, '06 C55 AMG, '25 GLS450, 09 E63
S65, S600, and S55 have the same tranny so why should the S65 cost more? AMG speedshift BS doesn't add to the fluid capacity or a different pan/filter. I have an S65 now and have seriviced my '03 S600 which are exactly the same.
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 08:27 AM
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2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
Sorry, I thought the S65 had a 6 or 7 speed trany in 2006..mine has a 5-speed.
If they are the same you can do the whole tranny change for $150 in supplies if you DIY.
Mike
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 04:45 PM
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Check the trans connector for leaks.

If it's leaking, oil travels up the harness into the conductor plate, causing weird shifting behavior, going into neutral all by itself, etc. TCU can also be affected.

Bruce
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 05:12 PM
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I replaced my connector while I did the fluid change....it was less than $20 for the part.
Do it when you do this service...leaking or not.
Mike
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 05:14 PM
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I replaced my connector while I did the fluid change....it was less than $20 for the part.
Do it when you do this service...leaking or not.
Mike
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