Does you car roll backwards even in Drive?
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
Does you car roll backwards even in Drive?
My driveway is on a hill. I back out and put the tranny in D. Often times, the car will roll backwards - as if the transmission was in Neutral.
Problem is worse when the car is cold. The first time it happend - I almost hit a post behind me...
Not earth shattering... but very annoying.
Problem is worse when the car is cold. The first time it happend - I almost hit a post behind me...
Not earth shattering... but very annoying.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I haven't tried winter mode yet. Thanks for the tip. The dealer says "bring it in - we'll take a look" but by the time I get to the dealer the car is warmed up enough so that it isn't a problem.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
hmmm... is the tranny different in the 500 vs the 320? I have the E320 - about 6K miles so far and it has had this "rollback" issue since day one.
I was just a little more grouchy than normal today so I thought I'd whine about it here...
I was just a little more grouchy than normal today so I thought I'd whine about it here...
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Originally posted by lig
hmmm... is the tranny different in the 500 vs the 320? I have the E320 - about 6K miles so far and it has had this "rollback" issue since day one.
I was just a little more grouchy than normal today so I thought I'd whine about it here...
hmmm... is the tranny different in the 500 vs the 320? I have the E320 - about 6K miles so far and it has had this "rollback" issue since day one.
I was just a little more grouchy than normal today so I thought I'd whine about it here...
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
Isn't this phenomenon going to vary by the steepness of the hill? If you have an auto transmission that will overcome any backward-pulling gravity, no matter the slope, then it's going to be tough to keep it from creeping forward on level ground when stopped. The torque converter allows slippage until lockup occurs, so roll back is inevitable if there is sufficient slope. I have an initial very steep entrance to my drive, and my 320 will roll back at the bottom of if I stop for the mail, but so have our other cars. If the expectation is that the car will sense slope and counter the effect with throttle or brakes----I don't think that will happen but "SBC Hold" or whatever it is called on the European E may be close to that. I don't see it as a problem, however.
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From: SoCal
MB
Originally posted by jim256
Isn't this phenomenon going to vary by the steepness of the hill? If you have an auto transmission that will overcome any backward-pulling gravity, no matter the slope, then it's going to be tough to keep it from creeping forward on level ground when stopped. The torque converter allows slippage until lockup occurs, so roll back is inevitable if there is sufficient slope. I have an initial very steep entrance to my drive, and my 320 will roll back at the bottom of if I stop for the mail, but so have our other cars. If the expectation is that the car will sense slope and counter the effect with throttle or brakes----I don't think that will happen but "SBC Hold" or whatever it is called on the European E may be close to that. I don't see it as a problem, however.
Isn't this phenomenon going to vary by the steepness of the hill? If you have an auto transmission that will overcome any backward-pulling gravity, no matter the slope, then it's going to be tough to keep it from creeping forward on level ground when stopped. The torque converter allows slippage until lockup occurs, so roll back is inevitable if there is sufficient slope. I have an initial very steep entrance to my drive, and my 320 will roll back at the bottom of if I stop for the mail, but so have our other cars. If the expectation is that the car will sense slope and counter the effect with throttle or brakes----I don't think that will happen but "SBC Hold" or whatever it is called on the European E may be close to that. I don't see it as a problem, however.
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From: Suburban Chicago
2013 GL550
Most auto trannies will let the car roll back on a steep slope. As a teen I used to take my Dad's big Chevy Impala to a railroad crossing that had a steep incline, let it roll backwards a bit and stomp on the gas! Sat there smoking/melting those bias ply tires!! Exactly why my college aged kids have never driven my car!!
Bruce
Bruce
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
On the same slope - under the same conditions - my only other auto tranny car doesn't roll back. (ES300)
My previous auto tranny ride didn't roll back - Jeep GC
I should add that the E320 rolls back WHILE I AM APPLYING THE THROTTLE!!!
I forgot to mention that detail previously. I have taken to braking with my left foot while applying the throttle with my right foot... not really powerbraking... but just keeping my foot on the brake until the tranny decides to wake up.
The service advisor tells me that 2 footed driving in this car is a no-no. He says it confuses the tranny. The problem is - that without it, I'd never get out of my ##$% driveway!
My previous auto tranny ride didn't roll back - Jeep GC
I should add that the E320 rolls back WHILE I AM APPLYING THE THROTTLE!!!
I forgot to mention that detail previously. I have taken to braking with my left foot while applying the throttle with my right foot... not really powerbraking... but just keeping my foot on the brake until the tranny decides to wake up.
The service advisor tells me that 2 footed driving in this car is a no-no. He says it confuses the tranny. The problem is - that without it, I'd never get out of my ##$% driveway!
Last edited by lig; Aug 7, 2003 at 11:59 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: So. Cal.
It used to be that Merecedes was one of the few manufactures of cars that didn't roll back on a hill when the call was engaged in "D". My Dad's old 1985 380 SE didn't roll back, my Mom's 92 420 SEL didn't, and my Dad's 92 500 SL didn't.
My 03 E320, however, does. It's weird, and mildly annoying especially when I think about how great it was in those above-mentioned cars when you were stopped at a hilly intersection, etc.
My 03 E320, however, does. It's weird, and mildly annoying especially when I think about how great it was in those above-mentioned cars when you were stopped at a hilly intersection, etc.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
Yes, mb knew this problem and mb should fix it for all the car sold right away. (winter mode is NOT the correct solution and is NOT acceptable.)
for a automatic car, it should not happen. my wife wants me to get a bimmer for the next car because of this fault.
If mb does not recall and fix this problem, (using SBC hold) when an accident happens (roll back and hit the car behind), I am going to suit mb.
for a automatic car, it should not happen. my wife wants me to get a bimmer for the next car because of this fault.
If mb does not recall and fix this problem, (using SBC hold) when an accident happens (roll back and hit the car behind), I am going to suit mb.
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From: Bay Area
MB E320, BMW 323i
I have an E320 and I have noticed the rolling back feature on slopes or steep hills.
I live in the Bay Area so when I drive the car to San Francisco with all the extremely steep hills, it's interesting to feel the car rolling back when the light turns green.
I know others said other cars with auto do the same thing, I do not notice it as much when I drive my Bimmer.
I live in the Bay Area so when I drive the car to San Francisco with all the extremely steep hills, it's interesting to feel the car rolling back when the light turns green.
I know others said other cars with auto do the same thing, I do not notice it as much when I drive my Bimmer.
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
This is a MAJOR fault on the E series. I wrote it up on my initial review of the car last November and also noted the problem on this board earlier this year. We also live on a hill and it's VERY difficult to park on a hill or drive up an incline without using the W transmission setting. I have suggested that they disengage the brake cut out of the throttle at low speeds (below 10-15 MPH) so that you can left foot brake and control the car more easily in the S transmission mode.
I would also like them to disengage the brake cutour of the throttle at all speeds in the Sport 2 suspension setting so you can more effectively left foot (trail brake) when manuvering at high speeds. If we all write this up at every opportunity, they may come up with a fix for us here in the US soon.
I would also like them to disengage the brake cutour of the throttle at all speeds in the Sport 2 suspension setting so you can more effectively left foot (trail brake) when manuvering at high speeds. If we all write this up at every opportunity, they may come up with a fix for us here in the US soon.
