C240 Manual Question
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C240 Manual Question
I just bought a 2003 C240 with 15,000 miles, so it hasn't been driven much. It is a 6 speed manual. It seems like when I shift from 1st to 2nd, there much more resistance than when I shift into any other gear. Sometimes, its like it doesn't want to go into that gear. Is this normal? I can always shift with more force to avoid the resistance, but I just wonder if that hurts the transmission.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
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From: Ontario, Canada
C230 Coupe 2002
Manual Shifting
Just to let you know that the shifting from first to second is a problem with the 02's to 04's. I have tried everything to get it to shift better. First I sent a message to MB for clarification on the type of oil to put into the 6 speed manual tranny. They sell oil for it at a very high cost and don't tell you what Viscousity or type it is on the bottle. They replied with 75W/80 gear oil recommended, not automatic transmission oil that some have tauted works great. I have tried factory oil, Royal purple 75W/90 but not ATF fluid. The last thing I did was try Redline MTL which is a 70W/80 Synthetic Fluid. Two things here, first that I measured the volume of the original fluid in the transmission. It was 1.5 Liters. The factory only recomends 1.2 liters. The fill hole is higher on the transmission case then that and on normal cars it is put right at the full mark so not to overfill the gear box. I can't figure why the lower amont to fill a six speed as my Miata with a 5 speed take 2 full liters of fluid. Anyway what I am saying is that if 1.5 was good enough for the first fill then that is what I put in. My gear box does shift easier now but for the first shift to second I find that I must get the RPM's over 4,000 to get it into gear easier. Once warmed up (tranny) it does smoothen up as it almost did with original fluid. What I had a problem with was putting it into 1st gear when slowing down. The resistence was high and now with Redline MTL all is better but not 100%. Don't try ATF in a manual gear box unless it was built for it like Hondas and such!!I hope that this helps you out, Good Luck Tony 
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1
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From: Sydney
Mercedes Benz W203 C180 2002
manual shifting.
The shifting of the manual transmissions for c class is definately not better than tiptronic models. I experience the same problem with shifting from 1st to 2nd. But i did read on one of the forums that the "Royal purple" (sync max or somethin) is the best fluid to help with that. However, you are right...it shifts much more easier at revs around 3500-4000 or over...but i can explain the resistance of the 1st gear. it actually doesn't allow you to place the car in 1st gear while it is driving above 5km/hr, maybe to protect the tranny or somethin. But you will notice that it will shift in smoothly if u try it when the car has fully stopped or just about stopped. Thats how ive learned to deal with it. I only put it into 1st when i have just about stopped at a traffic light.
Let me know if you find out some good solution to the shifting into 2nd gear.
Cheers!
Let me know if you find out some good solution to the shifting into 2nd gear.
Cheers!
Originally Posted by TonyG230
Just to let you know that the shifting from first to second is a problem with the 02's to 04's. I have tried everything to get it to shift better. First I sent a message to MB for clarification on the type of oil to put into the 6 speed manual tranny. They sell oil for it at a very high cost and don't tell you what Viscousity or type it is on the bottle. They replied with 75W/80 gear oil recommended, not automatic transmission oil that some have tauted works great. I have tried factory oil, Royal purple 75W/90 but not ATF fluid. The last thing I did was try Redline MTL which is a 70W/80 Synthetic Fluid. Two things here, first that I measured the volume of the original fluid in the transmission. It was 1.5 Liters. The factory only recomends 1.2 liters. The fill hole is higher on the transmission case then that and on normal cars it is put right at the full mark so not to overfill the gear box. I can't figure why the lower amont to fill a six speed as my Miata with a 5 speed take 2 full liters of fluid. Anyway what I am saying is that if 1.5 was good enough for the first fill then that is what I put in. My gear box does shift easier now but for the first shift to second I find that I must get the RPM's over 4,000 to get it into gear easier. Once warmed up (tranny) it does smoothen up as it almost did with original fluid. What I had a problem with was putting it into 1st gear when slowing down. The resistence was high and now with Redline MTL all is better but not 100%. Don't try ATF in a manual gear box unless it was built for it like Hondas and such!!I hope that this helps you out, Good Luck Tony
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Joined: May 2002
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by bak15
I just bought a 2003 C240 with 15,000 miles, so it hasn't been driven much. It is a 6 speed manual. It seems like when I shift from 1st to 2nd, there much more resistance than when I shift into any other gear. Sometimes, its like it doesn't want to go into that gear. Is this normal? I can always shift with more force to avoid the resistance, but I just wonder if that hurts the transmission.
