7G plus transmission behavior. Is this normal?
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
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2014 E350 Wagon
7G plus transmission behavior. Is this normal?
Hi all, have a few questions about our 2014 E350 wagon's transmission.
Less than thrilled with the shifting performance. Wanted to see if you all had observed the following things and if so, if you've had them ironed out by a software update.
1) Jerky shifting happens between shifts 1 through 4. When shifting, it's like the transmission slips smoothly for 3/4 of the rpm drop, but drops suddenly for the rest before catching. Kind of like letting the clutch out a tiny bit early for an up shift with a manual tranny.
2) If I slam on the throttle in a lower gear at lower rpms, the rpms jump to 3000 and slips for a second or so before the rpms rise like the engine and wheels are coupled.
3) When accelerating at a low rpm in a middle gear, the acceleration is not smooth and "bounces" just the tiniest amount. It's similar to accelerating with a manual transmission when the engine is on the verge of lugging. I've not experienced this with an automatic before.
Have you guys noticed any of this? Does anybody have an idea when the most recent software update was released for this transmission? I wonder if Mercedes is still trying to improve the performance of this transmission or if they've simply moved on
I'm taking the car in for service tomorrow and will bring this up if you guys don't think this is normal. Car has warranty left. I know this transmission is not considered to be one of Mercedes' best, so if this is just the way it is, I'll deal with it and not risk getting dinged for a diagnostic fee for something that they don't consider to be wrong (and covered by warranty).
Thanks!
Less than thrilled with the shifting performance. Wanted to see if you all had observed the following things and if so, if you've had them ironed out by a software update.
1) Jerky shifting happens between shifts 1 through 4. When shifting, it's like the transmission slips smoothly for 3/4 of the rpm drop, but drops suddenly for the rest before catching. Kind of like letting the clutch out a tiny bit early for an up shift with a manual tranny.
2) If I slam on the throttle in a lower gear at lower rpms, the rpms jump to 3000 and slips for a second or so before the rpms rise like the engine and wheels are coupled.
3) When accelerating at a low rpm in a middle gear, the acceleration is not smooth and "bounces" just the tiniest amount. It's similar to accelerating with a manual transmission when the engine is on the verge of lugging. I've not experienced this with an automatic before.
Have you guys noticed any of this? Does anybody have an idea when the most recent software update was released for this transmission? I wonder if Mercedes is still trying to improve the performance of this transmission or if they've simply moved on
I'm taking the car in for service tomorrow and will bring this up if you guys don't think this is normal. Car has warranty left. I know this transmission is not considered to be one of Mercedes' best, so if this is just the way it is, I'll deal with it and not risk getting dinged for a diagnostic fee for something that they don't consider to be wrong (and covered by warranty). Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
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From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
Hi all, have a few questions about our 2014 E350 wagon's transmission.
Less than thrilled with the shifting performance. Wanted to see if you all had observed the following things and if so, if you've had them ironed out by a software update.
1) Jerky shifting happens between shifts 1 through 4. When shifting, it's like the transmission slips smoothly for 3/4 of the rpm drop, but drops suddenly for the rest before catching. Kind of like letting the clutch out a tiny bit early for an up shift with a manual tranny.
2) If I slam on the throttle in a lower gear at lower rpms, the rpms jump to 3000 and slips for a second or so before the rpms rise like the engine and wheels are coupled.
3) When accelerating at a low rpm in a middle gear, the acceleration is not smooth and "bounces" just the tiniest amount. It's similar to accelerating with a manual transmission when the engine is on the verge of lugging. I've not experienced this with an automatic before.
Have you guys noticed any of this? Does anybody have an idea when the most recent software update was released for this transmission? I wonder if Mercedes is still trying to improve the performance of this transmission or if they've simply moved on I'm taking the car in for service tomorrow and will bring this up if you guys don't think this is normal. Car has warranty left. I know this transmission is not considered to be one of Mercedes' best, so if this is just the way it is, I'll deal with it and not risk getting dinged for a diagnostic fee for something that they don't consider to be wrong (and covered by warranty).
Thanks!
Less than thrilled with the shifting performance. Wanted to see if you all had observed the following things and if so, if you've had them ironed out by a software update.
1) Jerky shifting happens between shifts 1 through 4. When shifting, it's like the transmission slips smoothly for 3/4 of the rpm drop, but drops suddenly for the rest before catching. Kind of like letting the clutch out a tiny bit early for an up shift with a manual tranny.
2) If I slam on the throttle in a lower gear at lower rpms, the rpms jump to 3000 and slips for a second or so before the rpms rise like the engine and wheels are coupled.
3) When accelerating at a low rpm in a middle gear, the acceleration is not smooth and "bounces" just the tiniest amount. It's similar to accelerating with a manual transmission when the engine is on the verge of lugging. I've not experienced this with an automatic before.
Have you guys noticed any of this? Does anybody have an idea when the most recent software update was released for this transmission? I wonder if Mercedes is still trying to improve the performance of this transmission or if they've simply moved on
I'm taking the car in for service tomorrow and will bring this up if you guys don't think this is normal. Car has warranty left. I know this transmission is not considered to be one of Mercedes' best, so if this is just the way it is, I'll deal with it and not risk getting dinged for a diagnostic fee for something that they don't consider to be wrong (and covered by warranty).Thanks!
Does yours behave different (better) once it warms up? Mine does. When it's cold I can feel the 1st to 2nd shift and 3rd to 4th, but once it warms up the only times I feel any of the shifts is when I floor it ( and a very light 3rd to 4th on moderate acceleration, but I'm being told by the wife it's just in my head). The reason for that 3000 apparent slip is the fact that the 722.9 is designed to jump one or two gears on downshifts and/or upshifts. My guess is that it takes a little time to build up ATF pressure and balance the engine power output with the load on the gearbox so that it could give you (in theory at least) a smoother shift. Mine doesn't always manage that, sometimes it feels like someone hit the back of the car with a big hammer, other times it's an adequate, linear acceleration.
Definitely ask for a TCM software upgrade if it's available. Some reported seeing improvement after the update.
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
I don't have those issues, I had rough down shifts from 6 or 7 down to 3 or 4. i.e. when slowing down from highway speeds to exit ramp speeds, get a rough shift and clunk noise. After 3 or 4 software updates, it's mostly resolved now. Still happens once in a while, but is significantly reduced.
Shifting up is smooth and immediate most of the time in E mode, in S mode if you have the accelerator all the way down, you can feel the shift, but it's quick and not jerky. This is in a 2013 E350 wagon with the 7G+
Shifting up is smooth and immediate most of the time in E mode, in S mode if you have the accelerator all the way down, you can feel the shift, but it's quick and not jerky. This is in a 2013 E350 wagon with the 7G+
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E 350
My 2014 had this intermittent issue which was similar. Mostly while upshifting from 4th-5th gear it felt poorly rev matched and occasionally while slowing down on an upwards incline at low speeds iir felt like some car hit it from behind. My dealership performed the software update and the problem has mostly disappeared. Still once in a blue moon I feel some mild jerks but it is so rare so that I can ignore it.
Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 85
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From: LA
E350
I sometime have the problem up shifting from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 not smooth shifting. The worst was on the down shift from 4 to 3. It does feel like someone hit u from behind. These happened about once or twice a week. Went to the dealer about this today, they can't reproduce the problem. Service adviser told me there is a firmware update on the transmission, but they will only update if they can reproduce the problem.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
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'11 E350 4Matic Sport
On #1 I think you are feeling the lockup of the torque converter which I believe can lockup in all forward gears and it is pretty aggressive in that it locks up as early as possible, I have had moments of light-medium throttle acceleration where there may only be 1-2 seconds unlocked operation before the lockup clutch kicks in. Do you see a 200-300 RPM drop when the jerkiness happens?
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Member
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From: LA
E350
On #1 I think you are feeling the lockup of the torque converter which I believe can lockup in all forward gears and it is pretty aggressive in that it locks up as early as possible, I have had moments of light-medium throttle acceleration where there may only be 1-2 seconds unlocked operation before the lockup clutch kicks in. Do you see a 200-300 RPM drop when the jerkiness happens?
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
First, try resetting the adaptive transmission. Here is a thread with the procedure... https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ton-start.html
Last edited by DFWdude; Sep 6, 2018 at 08:36 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
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2007 e320 bluetec
My wife's car had the similar problems. Shifting was lack luster. She has the 2014 e350. CPO replaced torque converter and valve body. Auxillary battery replacement was pricey, $429.00. Car shifts and runs night and day difference. better fuel economy.
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2011 C300
Hello,
I have a 2011 C300 with 114K miles and I am experiencing the same 2-3 shift jerk when it’s cold but gets better after the trans is fully warmed up. The tcm was replaced in 2021 for a range selector sensor issue I was having by a Mercedes specialist independent mechanic but the car was not taking the programming. He had to eventually take the car on a flatbed to a dealership where they did the reprogramming of the module with Mercedes engineering I think. I do remember him telling that there was some updates on it too which he did especially for the Trans. I just got the fluid changed by him last week including the TC drain and reset adaptations. However it’s still doing the same thing. He did use the blue fluid too. That’s when I found about the software update Mercedes put out in 2014 as a TSB for shift quality issues. I’m seeing good reviews after the update but dos anyone know how to check what software its on and what is the latest available other than taking it into the dealership? Thanks in advance
I have a 2011 C300 with 114K miles and I am experiencing the same 2-3 shift jerk when it’s cold but gets better after the trans is fully warmed up. The tcm was replaced in 2021 for a range selector sensor issue I was having by a Mercedes specialist independent mechanic but the car was not taking the programming. He had to eventually take the car on a flatbed to a dealership where they did the reprogramming of the module with Mercedes engineering I think. I do remember him telling that there was some updates on it too which he did especially for the Trans. I just got the fluid changed by him last week including the TC drain and reset adaptations. However it’s still doing the same thing. He did use the blue fluid too. That’s when I found about the software update Mercedes put out in 2014 as a TSB for shift quality issues. I’m seeing good reviews after the update but dos anyone know how to check what software its on and what is the latest available other than taking it into the dealership? Thanks in advance
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
@Baby Pluto do you have a 7G+ transmission (Code A89) that requires the blue fluid? I know the switchover was in June of 2010. Just not sure that coincides with the 2011 model year.
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Do you start in S or E mode?
I think the adaptation process for the early trannies is quite an involved process using XENTRY and driving around a bit with a second person operating XENTRY with the first person drives.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think the stand-still adaptation was available yet for your transmission.
I think the adaptation process for the early trannies is quite an involved process using XENTRY and driving around a bit with a second person operating XENTRY with the first person drives.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think the stand-still adaptation was available yet for your transmission.
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2011 C300
Hello GTBlack,
I always have the car in E so its in 2nd gear when I start of. That is good to know. Well my transmission definitely has the stand still adaptation feature because I did the reset by holding the gas pedal and all that process and then after I started driving I could see it was holding gears for a little bit and then it would shift gears. It definitely did something when I did that process is what I’m trying to say.
I always have the car in E so its in 2nd gear when I start of. That is good to know. Well my transmission definitely has the stand still adaptation feature because I did the reset by holding the gas pedal and all that process and then after I started driving I could see it was holding gears for a little bit and then it would shift gears. It definitely did something when I did that process is what I’m trying to say.
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
@Baby Pluto no, that is not what I was talking about. Here is a video describing the official stationary adaptation method; not the one you described.
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2011 C300
Hello GTBlack,
thanks for that link. I had no clue about this adaptations. After changing the TCM and finally the dealership doing the reprogramming, I don’t know what type of adaptations they did at the time. My car used to be smooth but I can’t remember when it started to shift and downshift a little jerky. Do you have any experience with Mercedes updating the software of the transmission with that TSB that I stated earlier?
thanks for that link. I had no clue about this adaptations. After changing the TCM and finally the dealership doing the reprogramming, I don’t know what type of adaptations they did at the time. My car used to be smooth but I can’t remember when it started to shift and downshift a little jerky. Do you have any experience with Mercedes updating the software of the transmission with that TSB that I stated earlier?
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
@Baby Pluto , though the 7G is a rugged and almost bulletproof transmission, it does seem temperamental. My wife drives the C-Class mostly and I drive the SL, but when I switch over to her car, the tranny acts up a little. Nothing like you described in the first post. I'm sure you've had your car scanned for any and all DTCs, but it not, I would have that done. Plus, you should have your own Mercedes-specific scanner so you don't have to go running to the dealer or shop all the time. I scan my cars once or twice a month and usually find a couple of stored codes that are harmless. Still, I want to know what is going on.
Lately, with the weather cooler, my C-Class (7G+) will downshift harshly when slowing down and rolling along in. my neighborhood. This does happen with a slight incline and the downshift is from 3rd to 2nd. I don't notice it as much in hot weather. Same thing in the SL (7G+)when rolling to a traffic light. I've been told that I can do a tranny reset using XENTRY and it will take a few hundred miles to adapt again, but I just haven't done it yet. I remember doing that with my R230 (7G) and the shifting was quite harsh for a while. I actually did the old press the gas pedal and turn the key to on without starting the car trick, and that seemed to smooth things out. So, it does do something.
Lately, with the weather cooler, my C-Class (7G+) will downshift harshly when slowing down and rolling along in. my neighborhood. This does happen with a slight incline and the downshift is from 3rd to 2nd. I don't notice it as much in hot weather. Same thing in the SL (7G+)when rolling to a traffic light. I've been told that I can do a tranny reset using XENTRY and it will take a few hundred miles to adapt again, but I just haven't done it yet. I remember doing that with my R230 (7G) and the shifting was quite harsh for a while. I actually did the old press the gas pedal and turn the key to on without starting the car trick, and that seemed to smooth things out. So, it does do something.
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2011 C300
Hello GTIBlack,
I am also not able to see your posts in this thread. I just read your response from my email and then just respond to you. How does your tranny act up in the c class? My shifts get slightly better as it warms up but still I could feel the slight jerk it does in upshifts and downshifts. I kind of want to take it in to the dealership and show them the TSB.
I am also not able to see your posts in this thread. I just read your response from my email and then just respond to you. How does your tranny act up in the c class? My shifts get slightly better as it warms up but still I could feel the slight jerk it does in upshifts and downshifts. I kind of want to take it in to the dealership and show them the TSB.
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
did you do the transmission reset as described in post #9 as DFW suggested? Also when I drive my wife's car it shifts differently than mine as it learns her driving style, takes a few miles to get used to me driving it.
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Then the wife comes in from going shopping and asks, “What the heck did you do to my car?"
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2011 C300
I did do the reset as described in post #9. I did see the car learning the shift points but that didn’t help much. Upshifts and downshifts are not smooth as it used to be if I can remember correctly. I kind of want to take it in and see if they could do the update. Does anyone here have done that update and had good results and how long did it take?
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Interesting, I do the reset especially if we're going on a trip and taking her car. It does usually take a few hundred miles to learn. also the sport has different programing than the luxury, my luxury in sport mode is the same as my sport in ECO mode and not near as fast as my sport in sport mode. Yes,my pre facelifts both start in second gear in ECO mode
