dchou4u

I have a 2008 GL450. When the car is stationary with brake depressed, whenever I shift gears (D->P, or P->D, or P->R, or R->P), I heard a grinding sound from the front of the vehicle under the hood. Not sure what the sound is...
Anyone else have the same sound when shifting gears (with the vehicle not moving)? Other than this sound, the vehicle drives just fine.

Thanks

aggst1

This is normal. As you select a different gear a solenoid is engaged to move an actuator to the proper position so that the correct gear is engaged. All of them make this small noise.

Tommytrojan

I was worried about it too when I first drove my 08GL450. The sound is loud if the windows are open. Especially if you were driving lexus like me before. But the car drives find after wards.

Over time I have gotten used to it.

dchou4u

I have a Lexus and Acura. Neither makes such a noise. I wonder why Benz has such noise 'features' which other manufacturers of lesser price do not have.

Do these gear shifting noise happen to other Benz models, or is it just a GL 'feature'?

aggst1

Both my R and ML make this small noise. Unless the OP is experiencing something different, the noise is not loud. I only hear it when entering my garage with radio off and the windows down.

I am willing to bet that Lexus cars are making some type of noise. I can't think of another way other than a solenoid being used but could be wrong.

Now if the OP is experiencing a loud noise that seems not normal then a discussion with the SA is in order.

Tommytrojan

windows down and music off is the key. then you do hear quite a bit of noise. My 2002 lexus makes no noise at all and it drives better on rough road than my airmatic MBenz. But that is Toyota's strength. When my benz runs it runs like no other car i ever owned.

aggst1

Which model Lexus?

Tommytrojan

RX300

dchou4u

Yes, I do concur that the Lexus SUV drives a lot smoother on bumps than the Benz GL, and it seems to be quieter too.

aggst1

Does the 2002 RX have electronic shifter or is it manual? If it is manual then it is undestandable not making noise. MBs have the electronic stalk so when an electronic contact is made to let's say P position the actuator gets the message and moves to the P gear.

Regarding Lexus quiteness being better than airmatic I respectfully disagree. Airmatic provides comfort but primarily proper suspension for fast cornering. 1970s Buicks were also smooth but couldn't take a fast turn if your life depended on it.

Tommytrojan

However I respectfully agree with you . Lexus is for Luxury and MB doesn't come close to it. MB is for performance and lexus doesn't come close to it.

Lexus has automatic but I am not very mechanical so have no idea. Whatever you are saying does make sense but the noise is hard and truck like.

aggst1

I am in total agreement with your last statement. MB GL is truck like and never promoted it as anything else. Lexus RX series is a crossover type vehicle. More car than truck. If one wants quiet, MB makes the S class. If one wants a sports car they sell the SLK, SL etc.
Also keep in mind there is a huge difference in curb weight. Lexus RX is at 3700 lbs and MB GL 450 at 5300 lbs. (Wikipedia)
Different vehicles.

mdadgar

If you think the GL is "truck like," you need to try an Escalade. The GL is a car by comparison.

- Mark

ddcha

these quirky noises with the GL transmission are normal (including some jerky downshifting at times). I came from an X5 that didn't have any of these issues. it's a bit annoying, but I got used to it over time.