GLE won't shift out of second gear
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 36
2021 GLE 450
GLE won't shift out of second gear
Three times now I've been accelerating normally and my 2021 GLE450 stays in second gear. Engine just stays in second and revs - never upshifts to third.
The first time I pulled over immediately. The last time it happened I took it up to 4000 rpm just to see if it would shift, but it never did. After I slowed down in traffic and started rolling again, it shifted as usual.
Two times it was warmed up but was the first acceleration after warm start up. One time the engine was cold.
Anybody else experience this?
The first time I pulled over immediately. The last time it happened I took it up to 4000 rpm just to see if it would shift, but it never did. After I slowed down in traffic and started rolling again, it shifted as usual.
Two times it was warmed up but was the first acceleration after warm start up. One time the engine was cold.
Anybody else experience this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,184
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
The rate that you press the accelerator tells the transmission brain your intent.
In other words, if you really stab the throttle, the transmission interprets it as a sporty intent, and will hold gears, ready for your next move.
It also down shifts more quickly, skipping gears if you stab the throttle.
I experience it holding gears in the following way: I'm waiting for a gap in traffic and there one is, so I stab the throttle get in line but slow real quickly, and the transmission doesn't shift.
It'll hold that gear for maybe 5 seconds or even longer, until it finally shifts or I hit the paddle shifter.
If I'm merging into a freeway and eventually want to get into the far left lane, four lanes over, I'd rather it hold gear in a useful rev range instead of shifting and having to downshift again as I merge left, a lane at a time. I feel like I have more control.
My 2020 450 and the 21 53 behave similarly. It's that quick throttle move that makes it more aggressive, for a little while. I think it's okay.
In other words, if you really stab the throttle, the transmission interprets it as a sporty intent, and will hold gears, ready for your next move.
It also down shifts more quickly, skipping gears if you stab the throttle.
I experience it holding gears in the following way: I'm waiting for a gap in traffic and there one is, so I stab the throttle get in line but slow real quickly, and the transmission doesn't shift.
It'll hold that gear for maybe 5 seconds or even longer, until it finally shifts or I hit the paddle shifter.
If I'm merging into a freeway and eventually want to get into the far left lane, four lanes over, I'd rather it hold gear in a useful rev range instead of shifting and having to downshift again as I merge left, a lane at a time. I feel like I have more control.
My 2020 450 and the 21 53 behave similarly. It's that quick throttle move that makes it more aggressive, for a little while. I think it's okay.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Costco
2023 S500
This is the worst transmission I’ve ever had to endure in a new car so what you’re experiencing doesn’t surprise me. This forum is littered with complaints about that thing, so don’t get suckered into thinking it’s user error on your part or let the issue get whitewashed away from comments suggesting that it’s “working as intended.” You will not get real help unless you probe yourself because some of the most active users here will do the aforementioned, ignoring what could only be in my view be a preponderance of posts and evidence complaining about the same component or issue and zeroing in “you’re doing it wrong” as their first instinct. I struggle to understand why.
I, along with many others here, have experienced many issues with that POS transmission. One issue that I’ve personally experienced that might be similar is that it will lag on up shifts. It felt like it didn’t know what to do for a moment before finally shifting gears. Maybe your issue is that it stays in that “I don’t know what to do because I’m a POS” state for far longer. See some posts below. There are many more.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8622297
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ion-issue.html
I, along with many others here, have experienced many issues with that POS transmission. One issue that I’ve personally experienced that might be similar is that it will lag on up shifts. It felt like it didn’t know what to do for a moment before finally shifting gears. Maybe your issue is that it stays in that “I don’t know what to do because I’m a POS” state for far longer. See some posts below. There are many more.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8622297
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ion-issue.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,184
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I believe the transmission knows exactly what to do, because I told it what to do with my throttle foot. It responds as I directed it to.
I stab the gas, it reads my input and goes into performance mode.
I move out slowly and it's in luxury mode. Driver's choice.
The Speedshift TCT on 53s is even more aggressive, and I like it. I use it to my advantage.
I stab the gas, it reads my input and goes into performance mode.
I move out slowly and it's in luxury mode. Driver's choice.
The Speedshift TCT on 53s is even more aggressive, and I like it. I use it to my advantage.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 36
2021 GLE 450
only problem is when this has happened I was always in slow situations, slowly and carefully accelerating at 10 mph in front of a donut shoppe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,184
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
There have been a few posts on hanging shifts, but you're the first to explain more specifically.
It doesn't sound like throttle velocity is the culprit in your case.
Keep some brief notes on when and where, and if it doesn't clear up soon, you'll have a good description for your service department.
I had shifting problems with my 2010 ML350 diesel on the second tank of fuel, but I wasn't able to explain my problem effectively.
I was advised (by off duty tech) to use the phrase "false neutral" and that worked in that case. Turned out to be debris in the third gear accumulator. That fixed it for good and I did a lot of towing after that.
Does that phrase "false neutral" feel anything like your situation?
