Delay in shifting from park to Drive
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
Likes: 108
From: Virginia USA
2016 GTs, 2014 C63 AMG and 2014 C350 Sport (wife's car, she thinks it's an AMG - shhhhhh)
Delay in shifting from park to Drive
Hi y’all. Yes, I’ve done a search. Control module or low fluid are primary places to look along with engine and tranny mounts (tranny mounts... hehe).
in any event, none of them describe exactly what I am experiencing. Firstly, it’s wildly intermittent. Happens once or twice one day and then won’t happen for a month.
it is an imperceptible delay in going from park into gear. I start the car and put it in R or D then press the gas. Nothing happens. I look down to make sure I didn’t put it in neutral by accident and then CLUNK it goes into gear.
the clunk isn’t audible. It’s just the jarring of a hard shift and varies in intensity based on how much I’ve pressed the pedal.
what would cause this intermittent delay between knob shift and the tranny getting the message?
in any event, none of them describe exactly what I am experiencing. Firstly, it’s wildly intermittent. Happens once or twice one day and then won’t happen for a month.
it is an imperceptible delay in going from park into gear. I start the car and put it in R or D then press the gas. Nothing happens. I look down to make sure I didn’t put it in neutral by accident and then CLUNK it goes into gear.
the clunk isn’t audible. It’s just the jarring of a hard shift and varies in intensity based on how much I’ve pressed the pedal.
what would cause this intermittent delay between knob shift and the tranny getting the message?
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12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
I have had 2 C63's and they have both done this, there are a few threads on it, seems the consensus is that it is normal. My 13 and my 14 both do it here and there, I find it more when it is colder and if I go from R to D too fast but sometimes just P to D right after starting the car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
Likes: 108
From: Virginia USA
2016 GTs, 2014 C63 AMG and 2014 C350 Sport (wife's car, she thinks it's an AMG - shhhhhh)
Thanks RKR,... I figured there were threads on it if it was a known issue... sometimes the art is in finding the terms to search - which, in this case, proved to be the case for me here.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 326
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From: San Antonio, TX
2014 C63 507 Edition Sedan - Mars Red
Can confirm this happens to me occasionally. 2014 507 sedan w/23k miles. I was also unaware how common this was - so thanks for bringing this thread up.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 522
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From: Bondi Beach , Australia
2013 W204 C63 AMG P31 Estate wagon
Happens to mine occassionally and was thinking maybe its the clutch system when cold of the MCT transmissions.
Does the same thing happen in PFL 08-11 cars with torque convertor transmissions.
I have to drive up a small hill to exit driveway and because I can't see left up the hill I need to stop before crossing footpath/sidewalk to clear pedestrians.
I drives fine from garage to top but then when I go to accelerate over the top from standstill it sometime revs then jerks into gear and starts moving.
Never happens when hot.
Does the same thing happen in PFL 08-11 cars with torque convertor transmissions.
I have to drive up a small hill to exit driveway and because I can't see left up the hill I need to stop before crossing footpath/sidewalk to clear pedestrians.
I drives fine from garage to top but then when I go to accelerate over the top from standstill it sometime revs then jerks into gear and starts moving.
Never happens when hot.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Houston, TX
Built 2008 G55 & one big 80 Series LandCruiser !
happens with my car as well - was worried at first but was told by both my indy shop and master MB tech that it's usual.... I just try to remember to be patient.....not easy at times !
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
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From: Virginia USA
2016 GTs, 2014 C63 AMG and 2014 C350 Sport (wife's car, she thinks it's an AMG - shhhhhh)
Amen to that!
Truth. 9 times out of 10 the THUD is a lot more jarring than it would be if I knew it was coming... Start the car, put it in gear and mash the gas :-)
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Branford, CT
C63 AMG (W204)
Same thing happens to my '13. Drives me nuts and when it engages I feel like it may be damaging something. I didn't notice it until I hit about 32k miles and it has happened intermittently ever since. Just hit 40k and having transmission and rear diff service done in the next week or two. Hoping this, along with a TCU reset will remediate the problem. Will report back if there is any noticeable difference.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Happens in both MCT C63s I've had, along with my old E55, uncle's S65, and my friend's mother's S63.
Seems normal for AMGs.
Seems normal for AMGs.
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Joined: Aug 2016
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12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Same thing happens to my '13. Drives me nuts and when it engages I feel like it may be damaging something. I didn't notice it until I hit about 32k miles and it has happened intermittently ever since. Just hit 40k and having transmission and rear diff service done in the next week or two. Hoping this, along with a TCU reset will remediate the problem. Will report back if there is any noticeable difference.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 522
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From: Bondi Beach , Australia
2013 W204 C63 AMG P31 Estate wagon
I can understand what everyone is saying about being patient but mine also happens (again only when cold) when rolling under light throttle up to crest the top of my driveway.
Its like its slipping in gear as the inlcine increases and as you put your foot down a little more it thuds into gear and drives over the crest.
Its like its slipping in gear as the inlcine increases and as you put your foot down a little more it thuds into gear and drives over the crest.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,218
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From: Pearland, Tx
2020 AMG GTC Coupe & 2018 Macan Turbo
My issue has finally been solved. I'm on record with MB with having tranny problems for a few years now. From Park to Reverse wasn't too bad. It's after I'd back it onto the street and put it in Drive is where the mystery always happens. BANG! Sometimes. Sometimes not. It became a guessing game.
Issue: Customer states when cold 1st start - backs out of the driveway - put it in drive and hits the gas - There is a noticeable hesitation and then it slams into gear and there is a hard jolt - Starting to do the same when accelerating from a rolling coast - Advise
Solution: Customer concern verified / performed wet clutch adaptation on vehicle / road tested vehicle the following day to verify if wet clutch adaptation was successful since vehicle was hot the day of adaptation / car feels good when first start up did not feel harsh engagement (wet clutch adaptation 3.0 hrs) / also replaced crankcase ventilation breather due to vacuum leak being heard while oil cap is off and engine running (1.0 hrs).
NO CHARGE! Car's an animal now and no tranny problems. 70,000 miles and counting.
Issue: Customer states when cold 1st start - backs out of the driveway - put it in drive and hits the gas - There is a noticeable hesitation and then it slams into gear and there is a hard jolt - Starting to do the same when accelerating from a rolling coast - Advise
Solution: Customer concern verified / performed wet clutch adaptation on vehicle / road tested vehicle the following day to verify if wet clutch adaptation was successful since vehicle was hot the day of adaptation / car feels good when first start up did not feel harsh engagement (wet clutch adaptation 3.0 hrs) / also replaced crankcase ventilation breather due to vacuum leak being heard while oil cap is off and engine running (1.0 hrs).
NO CHARGE! Car's an animal now and no tranny problems. 70,000 miles and counting.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 20
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From: Branford, CT
C63 AMG (W204)
whah I was able to find in the MB service records (I bought car with 29k on the clock in 2018). I can’t say it helped with the periodic thud or delay when shifting from reverse to drive unfortunately. I will say that the trans feels a bit smoother when driving around town, although this could likely be due to a TCU reset that I’ve heard is part of the “transmission service.”
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,218
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From: Pearland, Tx
2020 AMG GTC Coupe & 2018 Macan Turbo
My fluid was changed just a year ago and reflashed. But still the problems continued. The wet-clutch adaptation fixed all my issues. Matter of fact, I had to pull the car out of my garage so I could turn my Macan in at a 45 degree angle (this gives me a ton of room and lets me walk all around the car).
As I backed it out onto the street, I dropped it in D and gave it gas. IMMEDIATE & SMOOTH response. No more issues. No banging; no lag. As shown above, it takes 3 hours to adapt. Mine was done for free of charge since I had two previous repair orders showing this had been going on for at least 2 years.
As I backed it out onto the street, I dropped it in D and gave it gas. IMMEDIATE & SMOOTH response. No more issues. No banging; no lag. As shown above, it takes 3 hours to adapt. Mine was done for free of charge since I had two previous repair orders showing this had been going on for at least 2 years.
