9-Speed Transmission Concerns
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Infiniti G37S 6 MT; MBC43AMG
9-Speed Transmission Concerns
Brand new C43 owner (took delivery on Wednesday). First MB...and first automatic transmission!
Already I have some concerns about how this transmission shifts. Iam sure I can get used to being in 5th gear going 35 mph. Sport+ mode seems to help with that and hoping if I force the gears lower with the paddles, the adaptive transmission will "learn" my driving style.
I have had what seems like very bad mis-shifts a few times already, and I had noticed a similar issue when I had a loaner C43 for an extended test drive. There are instances where the gear shifted so abruptly, i thought I hit a small pothole. I need to pay attention to which mode I am in when it happens, but I am pretty certain it happens when the car is downshifting (no manual paddle shifting being done). There was an instance tonight where the xmission seemed to slip on a rapid acceleration...and took a second or two to find the gear. Finally, there are times when the transmission holds the gear a bit to long (typically a very low gear....like 2 or 3), and feels like it is not going to shift....though I think this particular oddity could be caused by my own hesitation (I lay off the gas a bit when I sense this is happening and I think the car then decides not to shift since I am easing off). I had a friend drive the car, who is an experienced MB driver, and he saw some of the same issues.
Any thoughts on this new 9-speed...or reports of similar issues? I don't think something is wrong with the car...but I would also hope MB would have tested this new system so thoroughly, that they would have found/fixed any idiosyncracies. Friend suggests resetting the xmission to break any bad habits it learned in transport...but car is brand new with 113 miles on it!
Thanks.
Already I have some concerns about how this transmission shifts. Iam sure I can get used to being in 5th gear going 35 mph. Sport+ mode seems to help with that and hoping if I force the gears lower with the paddles, the adaptive transmission will "learn" my driving style.
I have had what seems like very bad mis-shifts a few times already, and I had noticed a similar issue when I had a loaner C43 for an extended test drive. There are instances where the gear shifted so abruptly, i thought I hit a small pothole. I need to pay attention to which mode I am in when it happens, but I am pretty certain it happens when the car is downshifting (no manual paddle shifting being done). There was an instance tonight where the xmission seemed to slip on a rapid acceleration...and took a second or two to find the gear. Finally, there are times when the transmission holds the gear a bit to long (typically a very low gear....like 2 or 3), and feels like it is not going to shift....though I think this particular oddity could be caused by my own hesitation (I lay off the gas a bit when I sense this is happening and I think the car then decides not to shift since I am easing off). I had a friend drive the car, who is an experienced MB driver, and he saw some of the same issues.
Any thoughts on this new 9-speed...or reports of similar issues? I don't think something is wrong with the car...but I would also hope MB would have tested this new system so thoroughly, that they would have found/fixed any idiosyncracies. Friend suggests resetting the xmission to break any bad habits it learned in transport...but car is brand new with 113 miles on it!
Thanks.
#3
Super Member
Brand new C43 owner (took delivery on Wednesday). First MB...and first automatic transmission!
Already I have some concerns about how this transmission shifts. Iam sure I can get used to being in 5th gear going 35 mph. Sport+ mode seems to help with that and hoping if I force the gears lower with the paddles, the adaptive transmission will "learn" my driving style.
I have had what seems like very bad mis-shifts a few times already, and I had noticed a similar issue when I had a loaner C43 for an extended test drive. There are instances where the gear shifted so abruptly, i thought I hit a small pothole. I need to pay attention to which mode I am in when it happens, but I am pretty certain it happens when the car is downshifting (no manual paddle shifting being done). There was an instance tonight where the xmission seemed to slip on a rapid acceleration...and took a second or two to find the gear. Finally, there are times when the transmission holds the gear a bit to long (typically a very low gear....like 2 or 3), and feels like it is not going to shift....though I think this particular oddity could be caused by my own hesitation (I lay off the gas a bit when I sense this is happening and I think the car then decides not to shift since I am easing off). I had a friend drive the car, who is an experienced MB driver, and he saw some of the same issues.
Any thoughts on this new 9-speed...or reports of similar issues? I don't think something is wrong with the car...but I would also hope MB would have tested this new system so thoroughly, that they would have found/fixed any idiosyncracies. Friend suggests resetting the xmission to break any bad habits it learned in transport...but car is brand new with 113 miles on it!
Thanks.
Already I have some concerns about how this transmission shifts. Iam sure I can get used to being in 5th gear going 35 mph. Sport+ mode seems to help with that and hoping if I force the gears lower with the paddles, the adaptive transmission will "learn" my driving style.
I have had what seems like very bad mis-shifts a few times already, and I had noticed a similar issue when I had a loaner C43 for an extended test drive. There are instances where the gear shifted so abruptly, i thought I hit a small pothole. I need to pay attention to which mode I am in when it happens, but I am pretty certain it happens when the car is downshifting (no manual paddle shifting being done). There was an instance tonight where the xmission seemed to slip on a rapid acceleration...and took a second or two to find the gear. Finally, there are times when the transmission holds the gear a bit to long (typically a very low gear....like 2 or 3), and feels like it is not going to shift....though I think this particular oddity could be caused by my own hesitation (I lay off the gas a bit when I sense this is happening and I think the car then decides not to shift since I am easing off). I had a friend drive the car, who is an experienced MB driver, and he saw some of the same issues.
Any thoughts on this new 9-speed...or reports of similar issues? I don't think something is wrong with the car...but I would also hope MB would have tested this new system so thoroughly, that they would have found/fixed any idiosyncracies. Friend suggests resetting the xmission to break any bad habits it learned in transport...but car is brand new with 113 miles on it!
Thanks.
They did a software update and it is much better at shifting, not as "bang-bang", but still quick but properly smooth. Wait a bit but I'm sure you will need the update as many have.
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: S Florida
Posts: 22
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW 435i 2015, on order 2018 c43 or 63
Is the shifting problem related to the driving mode? I just ordered a 2018 and will find out sometime in September.
I would expect the transmission to delay upshifts in sport or sport plus.
Accordingly in regular driving hold downshifts for economy.
I had hoped for an intelligent transmission .
I would expect the transmission to delay upshifts in sport or sport plus.
Accordingly in regular driving hold downshifts for economy.
I had hoped for an intelligent transmission .
#5
Super Member
Is the shifting problem related to the driving mode? I just ordered a 2018 and will find out sometime in September.
I would expect the transmission to delay upshifts in sport or sport plus.
Accordingly in regular driving hold downshifts for economy.
I had hoped for an intelligent transmission .
I would expect the transmission to delay upshifts in sport or sport plus.
Accordingly in regular driving hold downshifts for economy.
I had hoped for an intelligent transmission .
My car was all modes
#6
Senior Member
This is to a large extent, hate it or love it, a large part of the Mercedes driving experience in some of their recent models. If you are used to a transmission like the ZF 8HP, it can be quite jarring to drive a C43 at first. You get used to it and start enjoying it all the more if you have the performance exhaust.
#7
Super Member
This is to a large extent, hate it or love it, a large part of the Mercedes driving experience in some of their recent models. If you are used to a transmission like the ZF 8HP, it can be quite jarring to drive a C43 at first. You get used to it and start enjoying it all the more if you have the performance exhaust.
Did you have the software update? It made worlds of difference
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
#9
just break in it gently, dont hummer gas pedal until 1500-1800km, let it calibrate and learn your habits, it will get silky smooth around ~3k km. In any scenarion other than flooring the gas push it smooth with some time it will settle. And btw you should break in in comfort mode.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
iTrader: (1)
just break in it gently, dont hummer gas pedal until 1500-1800km, let it calibrate and learn your habits, it will get silky smooth around ~3k km. In any scenarion other than flooring the gas push it smooth with some time it will settle. And btw you should break in in comfort mode.
Drive like you normally wouldn't so that it adjusts to your habits.
great advice. 10/10. would read again.
#12
#13
Hello, a 2017 C43 sedan owner here, after 4,000 miles I've experienced:
- The well known Rocking back and forth in S+ , I believe this to be normal, as engine is in high rpms, the same happened to my R6 motorcycle in high rpms. So I stay away of S+ for city traffic.
- miss-shifts in S. Normally when almost braking to a halt, and then gassing it, it hesitates for a couple of seconds.
- Most concerning of all, 2 times I've experienced cero acceleration ( or increase in engine RPM's) when flooring the pedal to let's say get into a highway. no acceleration whatsoever, then after returning pedal to regular position it worked as usual. happened while driving in S. Neither time was the car fully stopped, or the engine stopped in start-stop.
Coming from a 350z, I miss having more power at low rpms. But in general very happy with car.
- The well known Rocking back and forth in S+ , I believe this to be normal, as engine is in high rpms, the same happened to my R6 motorcycle in high rpms. So I stay away of S+ for city traffic.
- miss-shifts in S. Normally when almost braking to a halt, and then gassing it, it hesitates for a couple of seconds.
- Most concerning of all, 2 times I've experienced cero acceleration ( or increase in engine RPM's) when flooring the pedal to let's say get into a highway. no acceleration whatsoever, then after returning pedal to regular position it worked as usual. happened while driving in S. Neither time was the car fully stopped, or the engine stopped in start-stop.
Coming from a 350z, I miss having more power at low rpms. But in general very happy with car.
#14
Super Member
Hello, a 2017 C43 sedan owner here, after 4,000 miles I've experienced:
- The well known Rocking back and forth in S+ , I believe this to be normal, as engine is in high rpms, the same happened to my R6 motorcycle in high rpms. So I stay away of S+ for city traffic.
- miss-shifts in S. Normally when almost braking to a halt, and then gassing it, it hesitates for a couple of seconds.
- Most concerning of all, 2 times I've experienced cero acceleration ( or increase in engine RPM's) when flooring the pedal to let's say get into a highway. no acceleration whatsoever, then after returning pedal to regular position it worked as usual. happened while driving in S. Neither time was the car fully stopped, or the engine stopped in start-stop.
Coming from a 350z, I miss having more power at low rpms. But in general very happy with car.
- The well known Rocking back and forth in S+ , I believe this to be normal, as engine is in high rpms, the same happened to my R6 motorcycle in high rpms. So I stay away of S+ for city traffic.
- miss-shifts in S. Normally when almost braking to a halt, and then gassing it, it hesitates for a couple of seconds.
- Most concerning of all, 2 times I've experienced cero acceleration ( or increase in engine RPM's) when flooring the pedal to let's say get into a highway. no acceleration whatsoever, then after returning pedal to regular position it worked as usual. happened while driving in S. Neither time was the car fully stopped, or the engine stopped in start-stop.
Coming from a 350z, I miss having more power at low rpms. But in general very happy with car.
The following users liked this post:
Jerryrodz (06-12-2017)
#15
In Sport+ mine does this big jerk from second to first gear, and then a little jerk half way from whatever speed it is to standstill in first gear.
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
#16
Super Member
In Sport+ mine does this big jerk from second to first gear, and then a little jerk half way from whatever speed it is to standstill in first gear.
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
Yes, get the update.
#17
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Infiniti G37S 6 MT; MBC43AMG
In Sport+ mine does this big jerk from second to first gear, and then a little jerk half way from whatever speed it is to standstill in first gear.
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
In Sport a minor jerk from second to first but can be mitigated if I am being super careful with the brakes.
Been told by my family to not drive in Sport+ or Sport when they are in the car
Does any one of you experience the same thing (the jerkiness, not the family thing) and will the software update help?
Sometimes it's great and I thought it just took a few hundred miles to break in...but this weekend, did a few annoying things. This is my first automatic and it is driving me crazy. Spoke to AMG engineer at dealership but he did not mention an available software update. He did mention them, generally, and told me to be careful because it may tame the car too much (though he did not think it would be an issue on a C43).