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Shifting into reverse by mistake while driving - possible?
A question I always wanted to ask... But have been too scared to test out. Googled online but couldn't find an answer. Maybe someone here knows. We have a 2007 x164 with steering column shift. I am wondering if the system is programmed to recognise 'user error' and prevent you from shifting into reverse when you are going above a certain speed. We had a non European rental for a week and now am second guessing everytime I indicate!
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Originally Posted by KiwiStar
A question I always wanted to ask... But have been too scared to test out. Googled online but couldn't find an answer. Maybe someone here knows. We have a 2007 x164 with steering column shift. I am wondering if the system is programmed to recognise 'user error' and prevent you from shifting into reverse when you are going above a certain speed. We had a non European rental for a week and now am second guessing everytime I indicate!
The best way to find out if you see the arrows around the "R" letter, if it doesn't show up it means it won't let you. I don't have your model MB but as far as I remembered most if not all MBs don't let you shift into reverse unless you are below 5 KM/hr and won't let you shift into park unless you are 10KM/hr below. If this information is incorrect, please kindly correct me.
Edit: Hmmm, OP sorry about that I didn't realize the "arrows" I talked about are only on later model MBs.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; 06-14-2022 at 07:59 AM.
Reason: Correction
Yes, as said above. One of the benefits of the electronic gear selectors is that they can easily block things that would destroy mechanical parts. So it won't let you go into R or P if damage could occur. With push button start, you also can't accidently turn off the engine while driving. You can find YouTube videos of people who have tested this. I've also driven manual transmissions for over 20 years, and manual transmissions have a mechanical lock to prevent you from accidently shifting in Reverse while driving forward, or you have to deliberately push down or pull up the gear lever in order to engage Reverse. Different manufacturers employed different strategies to avoid accidently going in Reverse. Automatic transmissions which still have a mechanical link between the gear selector and the transmission have similar locks that don't let you move the gear selector past N while driving.
lol good thing I don't have push button start, then
In neutral I shut off the motor and then return to ignition on, so I can clear spurious CELs without stopping.
My dad used to do this to conserve gas downhill. CELs weren't a thing back then. I've also done it. I did mind the brakes. Steering was not power assisted either.
Nostalgia.
I don't advise that anyone do any of the above. Except nostalgia.
Not sure if this is for real. Gotta have to wonder why the CEL in the first place. FWIW, if the engine needs to be killed for whatever reason it can still be done with the push button. Just have to press and hold it.
Update - never paid much attention to them before but I do have the arrows. Below taken when stationary. When going above approx 10km/h these largely disappear, except the one between D and N. Inadvertently 'tested' this and the car does allow you to shift into N while going about 50 km/h. I will need to pay attention if that arrow also disappears when going much faster.
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Originally Posted by KiwiStar
Update - never paid much attention to them before but I do have the arrows. Below taken when stationary. When going above approx 10km/h these largely disappear, except the one between D and N. Inadvertently 'tested' this and the car does allow you to shift into N while going about 50 km/h. I will need to pay attention if that arrow also disappears when going much faster.
Update - never paid much attention to them before but I do have the arrows. Below taken when stationary. When going above approx 10km/h these largely disappear, except the one between D and N. Inadvertently 'tested' this and the car does allow you to shift into N while going about 50 km/h. I will need to pay attention if that arrow also disappears when going much faster.
I have put my 07 GL450 into neutral at all sorts of speeds.
Dunno what it would do if I put it into R or P.
Last edited by eric_in_sd; 06-19-2022 at 10:10 PM.
Torque won't let you clear codes if the engine is running. So I wait for a clear spot, say on the freeway, shift to Neutral, turn the ignition off and back on, clear the code, restart the motor, put back in Drive. I bet shifting into Drive with it rolling would have bump-started the motor, but I didn't try.
Even with intact cats, I was getting 420 and 430 errors, and it was annoying to see the light on, so I figured out that routine. I got to where I could do it fast enough to only decelerate from 75 to 65. Every second counts on a road trip.
TorquePro, in my experience, can easily clear codes with the engine running while rolling down the highway - been there done that. On a few different makes/models.
Automatic transmissions by design (with the notable exception of the G wagon) can't be push started. They also really don't like to not have the pump turning (moving with engine off).
But I'm glad it's working for you.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; 06-20-2022 at 10:30 AM.
Torque won't let you clear codes if the engine is running. So I wait for a clear spot, say on the freeway, shift to Neutral, turn the ignition off and back on, clear the code, restart the motor, put back in Drive. I bet shifting into Drive with it rolling would have bump-started the motor, but I didn't try.
Even with intact cats, I was getting 420 and 430 errors, and it was annoying to see the light on, so I figured out that routine. I got to where I could do it fast enough to only decelerate from 75 to 65. Every second counts on a road trip.
It just seems like high risk low reward… I mean what do you lose if you have the check engine light on for these codes anyway?
TorquePro, in my experience, can easily clear codes with the engine running while rolling down the highway - been there done that. On a few different makes/models.
Might try Pro. I have it but prefer the interface of the base. It's simpler. It certainly would be better than going through this whole rigamarole.
Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
Automatic transmissions by design (with the notable exception of the G wagon) can't be push started.
I have done so with an automatic transmission in the past. I can't remember if it was the GL. It shouldn't like to do it, as the torque converter is essentially running in reverse, but either direction there is friction through the torque converter. It might work but it's a silly idea. The owner's manual says to not do it. But not why.
Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
They also really don't like to not have the pump turning (moving with engine off).
FYI owner's manual says 30 mi / 30 mph max. I would hope that a quarter mile at 60 mph would not screw that pooch.
Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
But I'm glad it's working for you.
Thank you for the kind words.
Last edited by eric_in_sd; 06-20-2022 at 06:55 PM.
It just seems like high risk low reward… I mean what do you lose if you have the check engine light on for these codes anyway?
Meh, it's just annoying.
Regarding physical risk, obviously I don't do it in trafffic. Regarding mechanical, a guy on stackexchange said that without the lubricant circulating, the fluid can overheat, etc. The GL manual talks about flat towing and says something that fits that knowledge: When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground, the vehicle may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).nothing about distance or speed limits.
Why do I do stuff like this? I was on a long road trip and got bored and sick of staring at the light. Plus I have a high need for stimulus.
I can attest to what happens when the GL is rolling slowly backwards (in my driveway) with the engine off in neutral and you put it in Park. You hear a loud clunk and the car stops on the spot. I did that inadvertently and early on in my ownership of the "Airbus 550". To this day I feel like I need to go through a preflight and postflight checklist with it.
06-14-2022, 07:42 AM
