Slow Gear Changes
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 22
2012 CLS 550 Launch Edition
Slow Gear Changes
I have a 2012 CLS550 and the only thing that's letting it down for me are the terribly slow gear changes. There's around 1sec between me flicking the paddle and it changing gear which can cause it to get very close to the limiter if I'm pushing on a bit.
It also means that kick-down is really slow too so when overtaking traffic I have to manually select the gear.
I've heard that Mercedes around this age are known to have rather slow gearboxes so this may be completely normal behavior, but I saw in another thread that they are prone to problems so looked into it some more and saw that 'delayed' gear changes are a common problem which can be fixed with a TCU update.
So, is it normal or should I take the car to the dealership to be looked at?
Thanks
It also means that kick-down is really slow too so when overtaking traffic I have to manually select the gear.
I've heard that Mercedes around this age are known to have rather slow gearboxes so this may be completely normal behavior, but I saw in another thread that they are prone to problems so looked into it some more and saw that 'delayed' gear changes are a common problem which can be fixed with a TCU update.
So, is it normal or should I take the car to the dealership to be looked at?
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 9
2012 CLS550, 1994 Chevy K1500
Not normal
I’ve got a 2012 as well. It does not behave like yours. No hesitation when manual shifting and no transmission hesitation when I stomp on it. Throttle response is, of course, more direct in Sport mode, but I’ve not noticed anything with gear shifts.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
12 CLS 550, 65 Shelby 427 SC, 03 GMC Envoy
I have recently had "Delayed Shifts" as well when the car is cold, and for just the first or second shift in the morning.
The car wants to downshift, but it feels like the car dies, but then picks up hard and shoots ahead.
She's going in for a B service this week, and I'll ask my tech about this...
The car wants to downshift, but it feels like the car dies, but then picks up hard and shoots ahead.
She's going in for a B service this week, and I'll ask my tech about this...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 22
2012 CLS 550 Launch Edition
Weird. Mines getting worse. It sticks in 3rd gear now when you give it over 50% of the go pedal. Even in manual mode you have to lift before it’ll go into 4th.
Its covered by a 3rd party warranty so I’m going to get it booked in and have it looked at.
Is there a way to see if there’s a TCU update available?
Its covered by a 3rd party warranty so I’m going to get it booked in and have it looked at.
Is there a way to see if there’s a TCU update available?
