GregGebhardt

I noticed from day one when my 2014 ML first heads out in the morning and is cold that the transmission slips when shifting from gear to gear. The amount of slipping depends on the amount of acceleration I am trying to achieve. After only a mile or so this slipping goes away and the ML shifts normally unless allowed to cool down.

I have read in other thread here that this is normal and even my dealer indicated it was but was just wanting to make sure as it seems to be a little worst in our cooler weather.

Anyone else experience this?

Thanks for your input.

Ausmbtech

The torque convertor clutch is normally in a "locked state" most of the time during normal operation. In cold conditions (low oil temps) the torque convertor clutch isn't engaged to allow additional slip in the torque convertor to aid the warmup of the transmission and engine. This normal function feels like a slipping gearbox in comparison to normal operation.
If any MB gearbox since 1996 (722.6) slips once in gear, the gearbox is locked out from performing any additional shifts for self protection reasons. In other words, if it was really slipping you'd know because it'll stop shifting.

GregGebhardt

The "slipping" ONLY occurs at the time of a shift when cold.

For example when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd with medium throttle, the RPM at the point of the actual shift may INCREASE by about 300-500 RPM at time of shift. The increase in RPM last only about a half a second before dropping in RPM due to the gear change. After the gear change there is no slippage until the next gear change. This all stops after a few minutes.

This is normal?, others are experiencing the same when their ML350BT is cold?

DUTCH

It's engine flare, not slipping. Apparently, it is normal for the 7G-Tronic transmission. Mine does it along with very hard shifting in more than one gear change both up and down; and not only when it's cold. My 2007 ML320CDI (same transmission) did it, too; and the dealer never could stop it. One would hope that MB would have fixed this in 7+ years of production; but I guess it's a lot like "hope and change" in other areas.

It's one of the main reasons I'm going back to an Audi Q7 soon. The Q7's transmission does not do this, and is smooth as butter.

GregGebhardt

Flare . . . . yep, I guess a better word for it!

I find no fault with my tranny other than this and it shifts buttery smooth 99% of the time. On occasion it might do a rough shift down when coming to a stop but very seldom.

Dutch, Thanks for you recent help with my questions. I will no longer worry about my "Flare"!

Strafzettel

Mine does it too when cold usually once in the morning.

GregGebhardt

Thanks, I will no longer worry about this "engine flair" thing!

Thanks for the reply!

Merry Christmas!

bdog624

Mine has done this for nearly two years. It did not do it when new.

Shifts don't seem as crisp either when puting around town, except under full throttle, then it shifts perfect, quick and smooth. Go figure.

In two years, 20+k miles, it has not gotten any worse. Car has 90k plus miles on it, and has never had any other issue. I can live with it.

Benz_Guy

For what it's worth, our '08 ML350. '11 Honda Fit, and '97 Ford Explorer ALL do this during the initial drive-off when it's cold.

The only car that doesn't do it is my '15 CLA250 but it uses a dual-clutch transmission and doesn't have a torque converter.

avantwe

I wanted to bring this thread back. Has anyone on here kept their cars and have any serious issues with the gearbox with the “flare ups”? Simple gearbox services keep it healthy and just live with the flare up when cold?