c230 auto transmission operation question
I have an '03 C230k ss with automatic transmission. I've noticed that if, say, I'm in a parking lot going ~15mph and I take my foot off the gas, the transmission will 'grab' and slow the car down. I know it's not brakes, because if I shift into neutral the 'grabbing' goes away and the car rolls freely. I also can notice this at higher speeds, but it is most noticeable at slow speeds. I've never noticed an automatic doing this before (many different cars/manufacturers), but I've never owned or driven a Mercedes at length before either. Usually when you take your foot off the gas with an automatic, the car coasts.
Is this normal operation for these transmissions? Or should I be having this looked at? There are no messages or anything from the computer. Thanks!!!
Last edited by mtnman82; Jan 17, 2006 at 05:08 PM.
I guess they do that for performance: the transmission is set so that if you press the gas, you don't need to wait for a kick-down like with other transmissions.
Now, I have to say that it's kind of anoying when you're in Sport mode and it kicks-down to 1st when you almost stop at a stop sign.



