Smooth Shifting?




Thanks that reference. I think I'll print some pieces of it for my 40K checkup next week.








Last edited by RJC; Jul 26, 2024 at 07:38 PM.




"And in my opinion, the only problem with downshifting is that the car's algorithm remembers that time you were aggressive, and retains that rev-matching-downshifting pattern longer than it might.
Once you floor it, it seems to wanna be a sporty transmission for an hour instead of 5 minutes."
I'm going in for my 40,000 mile checkup next week and a lot to talk with my shop about this. I started noticing rough downshifting about 4 or 5 months ago, and it seemed more related to my habits than the transmission. I guess. Maybe.
I really think it remembers "foot to the floor" and prioritizes it too long.
I drive my performance cars mostly in manual mode. There's IMO no better way to really drive a car than shifting manually. That's the only way to make sure the transmission is in lockstep with what you are going to do next. Thankfully the AMG transmissions are made to be shifted manually and are very satisfying in manual mode, but I'm very aware that shifting a regular Mercedes-Benz manually is rather dull and unsatisfying. They have the paddles, but the response of the paddles is just too laggy. I've driven manual transmissions for over 20 years. Automatic transmissions are nice and convenient for when I just wanna doodle along, but I've yet to experience an automatic transmission that shifts the way I do. I have to say in Race mode on the track the AMG transmissions are mostly bang on, but in daily driving it's simply hard to predict for a transmission what you are going to do next unless you drive very consistently in the same manner all the time.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG








After the Amsoil fluid change, that 7+ gear box was insanely smooth. It shifted the best it ever did during the 50k+ miles and 7 years that I owned it. The difference the fluid made was very notable to the overall smoothness (and my enjoyment factor) of the car.
While yes, I do agree that MB gear boxes are goofy and develop harshness to them, I also think their fluid plays a role in it too.
Our GLS is very lumpy when coming to a slow stop. Clunks down 4/3/2/1 and annoys the crap out of me sometimes. So much so, that it became one of the reasons why I didn't replace my W212 with another MB product. That's kind of the double-edged sword of a luxury brand like MB. You expect everything to be perfect, you pay for perfect, and then when one or two things aren't, it can ruin the "perfectness" feeling.
The only "perfect" transmission for smoothness, is a manual with an experienced left foot. Sadly those days are just about long gone. I can drive a VW manual a heck of a lot smoother than any automatic Mercedes Benz.
I do wonder how people drive and if they leave the car in Comfort mode during the break-in period as you are supposed to, so that the transmission properly establishes the base adaptation. It does seem that many people these days start to use Sport and Sport+ before the car has gone through proper break-in. Jerky shifts most often traces back to incomplete adaptation cycles. Resetting the adaptations doesn't help if you then don't go through the full break-in period again to let it properly adapt this time.
Admittedly, I can barely stand driving a regular ICE Mercedes-Benz in Comfort mode. The throttle response is so utter garbage that I have to put them in Sport/Sport+ just to drive normally. In contrast, I didn't find this to be the case with BMWs. They just drive properly out of the box, but regular Mercedes-Benz cars are just so sluggish in Comfort mode. After having had several EQS loaners recently, I understand why people like them. They have a proper throttle response and no transmission at all that may hesitate to downshift in the name of fuel economy. Perhaps it's time for you guys to go electric if you enjoy the luxury, smooth driving experience. Can't beat an EV when it comes to smooth driving.
smooth driving.
Several interesting points here - Having owned two S Class sedans - a 2012 and my current 2018, I have never taken either of them out of Comfort mode. The concept of either one of them being "sluggish" has never entered my mind.
I find the '18 a little jerky when driving it in M1 mode for braking purposes, but in D mode, never noticed any shifting problems. Just proves how different we all are. I owned a very limited optioned '22 EQS450 for less than a year until I totaled it. Enjoyed much about it - yes, it was smooth. What i liked most about it was the 10 degree rear wheel steering.
However, if I get another MB (I'm in my 10th decade), it would most likely be a leased new S unit or a refreshed one coming off a two year lease. Since that would be after I reached 95, I don't really expect it to happen.
Last edited by Lou B; Jul 27, 2024 at 11:14 AM.
Agree that car companies can ruin a drivetrain with a good transmission by poor programming.
Pedal + spark + fuel + cam lift and phase + lockup clutch strategy + shift strategy + drivetrain mass and damping all have noticeable effects.
9Y0.1 Cayenne V6 drivetrains have a lurch noticeable on closed throttle braking 3–>2 downshift when approaching a stop because of poor lockup clutch strategy, chosen by Porsche. It’s a kindergarten level engineering failure. A 1972 Pontiac Le Mans shifts more smoothly when approaching a stop.
Last edited by chassis; Jul 27, 2024 at 12:46 PM.




A LeMans was a pretty "average at best" car. It's best trait was that it didn't have any power - a valuable asset in those days of Insurance companies dictating car development.
An apples and clothespins comparison.




A LeMans was a pretty "average at best" car. It's best trait was that it didn't have any power - a valuable asset in those days of Insurance companies dictating car development.
An apples and clothespins comparison.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-mercedes.html
Mercedes GLS450 is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I had a 2023 GLS450 with multiple problems. 1) Gas cap door was replaced at the factory due to paint problems (they left the original piece in the car when I picked it up). 2) Transmission would clunk as it upshifted and downshifted. After 2 months of diagnosis and repairs, they were able to resolve this. 3) There was a bubble in the drivers seat cover that they replaced. The leather was still loose on the replacement seat cover. I got a refund based on a the state lemon law.
I purchased a new 2024 GLS450 and this car also had multiple issues. 1) Door was repainted. After a few months of ownership, I noted that there was a 3 inch square discoloration on the quarter panel. This was clearly repainted at the factory, as I had a body shop assess the paint thickness. It was inconsistent in this area. 2) Transmission was clunking as it upshifted and surged when it downshifted. This was repaired by reprogramming. 3) Seat cushion was still loose and had a bubble in it.
These cars are poorly built and have many problems endemic in their design. The quality is poor and Mercedes and their dealerships fail to provide the service expected of a luxury brand. I opted to trade this in for a different brand, despite the monetary loss. It was not worth the angst to keep this vehicle and will hopefully provide peace of mind. Never again will I purchase a Mercedes and suggest that everyone else also avoid this brand
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-mercedes.html
Mercedes GLS450 is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I had a 2023 GLS450 with multiple problems. 1) Gas cap door was replaced at the factory due to paint problems (they left the original piece in the car when I picked it up). 2) Transmission would clunk as it upshifted and downshifted. After 2 months of diagnosis and repairs, they were able to resolve this. 3) There was a bubble in the drivers seat cover that they replaced. The leather was still loose on the replacement seat cover. I got a refund based on a the state lemon law.
I purchased a new 2024 GLS450 and this car also had multiple issues. 1) Door was repainted. After a few months of ownership, I noted that there was a 3 inch square discoloration on the quarter panel. This was clearly repainted at the factory, as I had a body shop assess the paint thickness. It was inconsistent in this area. 2) Transmission was clunking as it upshifted and surged when it downshifted. This was repaired by reprogramming. 3) Seat cushion was still loose and had a bubble in it.
These cars are poorly built and have many problems endemic in their design. The quality is poor and Mercedes and their dealerships fail to provide the service expected of a luxury brand. I opted to trade this in for a different brand, despite the monetary loss. It was not worth the angst to keep this vehicle and will hopefully provide peace of mind. Never again will I purchase a Mercedes and suggest that everyone else also avoid this brand
If these trans' are fixed via reprograming/SW updates why isn't this being done before they leave the factory?




My only issue with the brand is the difficulty in repairing them, and the inability to address ongoing issues, like splitting MBTex, when it's billed as indestructible. It just wears you down and eventually drives you into the hands of a different manufacturer. Stuff like no fill plug on a front differential (W212), or $1,000 in labor to get to a $20 part (PCV) that is a consumable item and should have been designed with that in mind. I mean, when you have an engine that actually leaks oil within the first 100k miles, that should tell MB executives something about the quality, when nearly all other brands don't do that.
I think they're wonderful cars when they're right. Love the way they drive, and certainly love how they can scratch that ego itch. But, at least for me, just too time consuming to maintain and fix as they age. I consider us lucky on this GLS so far at 70k+ miles. We've not even needed to replace the brake pads yet! But, defective window track install, splitting MBTex, helicopter fuel evap sounds, $1000 every 25k miles for the rear tires, and so on. It just frustrates you to the point of asking yourself if it's really worth it, and why? I mean, when a $50,000 VW Atlas fully loaded basically does the same thing as the GLS, and asks far less of you to keep it up, one has to take a pause and ask themselves a question or two. Perhaps MB should be asking themselves those questions too.
Last edited by nc211; Aug 7, 2024 at 08:41 AM.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-mercedes.html
Mercedes GLS450 is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I had a 2023 GLS450 with multiple problems. 1) Gas cap door was replaced at the factory due to paint problems (they left the original piece in the car when I picked it up). 2) Transmission would clunk as it upshifted and downshifted. After 2 months of diagnosis and repairs, they were able to resolve this. 3) There was a bubble in the drivers seat cover that they replaced. The leather was still loose on the replacement seat cover. I got a refund based on a the state lemon law.
I purchased a new 2024 GLS450 and this car also had multiple issues. 1) Door was repainted. After a few months of ownership, I noted that there was a 3 inch square discoloration on the quarter panel. This was clearly repainted at the factory, as I had a body shop assess the paint thickness. It was inconsistent in this area. 2) Transmission was clunking as it upshifted and surged when it downshifted. This was repaired by reprogramming. 3) Seat cushion was still loose and had a bubble in it.
These cars are poorly built and have many problems endemic in their design. The quality is poor and Mercedes and their dealerships fail to provide the service expected of a luxury brand. I opted to trade this in for a different brand, despite the monetary loss. It was not worth the angst to keep this vehicle and will hopefully provide peace of mind. Never again will I purchase a Mercedes and suggest that everyone else also avoid this brand
1) You had a bad experience and doubled down?!!! (Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!). Mentioning the $30k loss was really not necessary.
2) Ok, you moved on to Lexus and its better. Why are you still posting here? I certainly wouldn't waste my time if I were you!
1) You had a bad experience and doubled down?!!! (Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!). Mentioning the $30k loss was really not necessary.
2) Ok, you moved on to Lexus and its better. Why are you still posting here? I certainly wouldn't waste my time if I were you!
source: me, I had experience of getting a bad car and I decided to give it another go and it worked out for me.
Besides, didn't he already have his "Goodbye Thread" in April?!!! I called him out on this back when he had 4 posts! LOL!







