FINALLY fixed the common TRANSMISSION rough up/down shifting in W222!!!!!!!
#151
FINALLY fixed the common TRANSMISSION rough up/down shifting in W222!!!!!!!
As you know, this has become a common problem and many of you might even have it without knowing it. The W222 should shifts way smoother than it currently shifts for almost all of us.
I took my car last weekend to the dealership and said, I think my car shifting is rough especially from 2-3 or 3-2 and between 5th and 4th gear. Luckily I ended up with a smart engineer how had something other than the standard response (this is how it's designed, normal). This time, he agreed that yes it should be smoother, I have a solution, give me 1-2 days.
He called 2 days later and said, hey your car is ready. it's day and night difference now. The car shifts much smoother than before, even smoother than when it had 0 miles on it, an believe it or not just as smooth as the new S560 with it's new transmission. According to the engineer, what he did is that he installed two customized software, one for the transmission system in general, and the second is by connecting a computer to the car as it's being driven and a computer would adjust the shifts points to an optimum values (rather than a pre-adjusted values).
Conclusion, I knew from the beginning that the rough shifting the all 2014-2017 W222 cars are seeing is not due to a hardware or design issue, it was due to a software-and-design communication issue and wrong pre-adjusted shift points. Apparently, if you end up with a smart service manager who can connect your car to a computer that can automatically adjust the shifting points of your transmission to whatever is optimum for your car along with the new transmission software then this is all what it takes to change this very common problem. Just go to the dealer and try to skip service advisors and talk to the engineers directly (they might tell that's not possible, but just ask them to get you in touch with their most senior service engineer). Service advisors may not be the right person to talk to.
Update: here is a screenshot of the service comments (the detailed feedback i wrote above is based on discussion but it's summarized in the service comments below).
As you know, this has become a common problem and many of you might even have it without knowing it. The W222 should shifts way smoother than it currently shifts for almost all of us.
I took my car last weekend to the dealership and said, I think my car shifting is rough especially from 2-3 or 3-2 and between 5th and 4th gear. Luckily I ended up with a smart engineer how had something other than the standard response (this is how it's designed, normal). This time, he agreed that yes it should be smoother, I have a solution, give me 1-2 days.
He called 2 days later and said, hey your car is ready. it's day and night difference now. The car shifts much smoother than before, even smoother than when it had 0 miles on it, an believe it or not just as smooth as the new S560 with it's new transmission. According to the engineer, what he did is that he installed two customized software, one for the transmission system in general, and the second is by connecting a computer to the car as it's being driven and a computer would adjust the shifts points to an optimum values (rather than a pre-adjusted values).
Conclusion, I knew from the beginning that the rough shifting the all 2014-2017 W222 cars are seeing is not due to a hardware or design issue, it was due to a software-and-design communication issue and wrong pre-adjusted shift points. Apparently, if you end up with a smart service manager who can connect your car to a computer that can automatically adjust the shifting points of your transmission to whatever is optimum for your car along with the new transmission software then this is all what it takes to change this very common problem. Just go to the dealer and try to skip service advisors and talk to the engineers directly (they might tell that's not possible, but just ask them to get you in touch with their most senior service engineer). Service advisors may not be the right person to talk to.
Update: here is a screenshot of the service comments (the detailed feedback i wrote above is based on discussion but it's summarized in the service comments below).
#152
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Thanks for your post. My w222 is doing the same thing now. I have taken it to the dealership 2 times. They said that they updated the software and nothing helped. They told me in December that their was a new software coming. I went today and still no software. They mentioned that it was nothing they could do until. I will pass this information along to a DIFFERENT Dealership and hope it will fix my problem.
#153
Still wondering how many labor hours this requires ... for those of us not under warranty, would it be practical to pay to have this done, assuming we could find a qualified expert to carry out the process ...
#154
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,500
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
#155
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years: GLS,X5,Tesla,Accord; Sold:S560;S550,2x X7; X5;BMW 530e;Lincoln Navigator;LS460
MB has actually agreed to buy back my 2020 S560 over the rough downshift issue, but I got such a sensational deal on it, that I really hate to give it up. Losing that deal and getting something new under the current market conditions, for a similar lease payment, I’d be getting way less vehicle. So, I am going to contact a good indy MB shop locally and find out IF they can do the fix and if so, what it might cost. I’ll report my findings.
#156
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
#157
As a follow-up to this thread, I printed the TSB and took it to my dealer. They did the update in 1 hour and only charged me 1 hour's labor ($185). On my way home I had an abrupt 5-4 downshift just like before.
Last edited by cfmistry; 10-07-2021 at 12:08 PM.
#158
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
My final update, that FINALLY worked, took weeks to kick in. The abrupt 5 to 4 just disappeared one day and never came back...
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MBNUT1 (10-30-2021)
#159
Same problem here with mine too...
My previous w211 and w212 shifted like **** as well (2-1 jerk). Too bad they can't get it right like with BMW, which are smooth as butter. I wont settle for a S shifting like the way it is now. The other day it slammed while downshifting - I won't rest until it is fixed or warranty replaces the trans. Fluid is new so no excuses there..
#160
UPDATE:
it has been almost 4 weeks now since I updated the software and performed the manual shift points adaptations.
it has been almost 4 weeks now since I updated the software and performed the manual shift points adaptations.
- So far, the car is still shifting very smooth and even better than when it had 0 miles on it.
- The only exception is when car is cold, it tend to shift hard from 2-3 but then it starts shifting smooth once temperature reaches 170 or more.
#161
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
My car does the same thing, especially on coldstar. It got to a point that I hate driving the car because of the way it feels,. once it's changing gears from 2nd to 3rd It feels like It almost want to throw me, because it pulls so hard. This is my 1st time owning a Mercedes and so far the only thing I can say about it is, I only like how it looks, but I hate the way it drives.
#162
#163
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Yes, pretty sure it has to be a benz dealer. Tell the service advisor you want the newest transmission software installed and they should be able to look it up. Somewhere on this forum or in this thread you can find the release year and month of the update, it hasn't been out for a terribly long time.
#164
I have a 2018 s560 and the 3rd to 2nd downshift pisses off my sister when im braking and she thinks i suck at breaking. temporary fix for this before you take it in to get a manual adaptation is to manually downshift. every car has a different sweetspot for me it seems 1.7k to 2k rpms is the ticket. comfort mode waits until 1.2k to 1.5k to downshift and thats when its pretty ruff I'm young so i look at as a minigame to test my skills so when i take it into the dealer and they find the optimum i wanna see if it matches mine.
#165
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
I have a 2018 s560 and the 3rd to 2nd downshift pisses off my sister when im braking and she thinks i suck at breaking. temporary fix for this before you take it in to get a manual adaptation is to manually downshift. every car has a different sweetspot for me it seems 1.7k to 2k rpms is the ticket. comfort mode waits until 1.2k to 1.5k to downshift and thats when its pretty ruff I'm young so i look at as a minigame to test my skills so when i take it into the dealer and they find the optimum i wanna see if it matches mine.
#166
#167
This is an old thread, but from reading prior posts, the software update from 2020 only applied to s550 with 7 speed transmission. I recently bought a 2020 s560 4M with 9 speed, and it suffers from the harsh 3-2 downshift. Is there a software update for the s560? Has anyone else had success with forced adaptation on an s560, and if so, is there a TSB or screenshot for Xentry that would apply, like what S_W222 was able to get for his s550 resolution?
#168
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years: GLS,X5,Tesla,Accord; Sold:S560;S550,2x X7; X5;BMW 530e;Lincoln Navigator;LS460
This is an old thread, but from reading prior posts, the software update from 2020 only applied to s550 with 7 speed transmission. I recently bought a 2020 s560 4M with 9 speed, and it suffers from the harsh 3-2 downshift. Is there a software update for the s560? Has anyone else had success with forced adaptation on an s560, and if so, is there a TSB or screenshot for Xentry that would apply, like what S_W222 was able to get for his s550 resolution?
#169
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,035
Likes: 2,911
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
A few years old thread, but still going. Am glad people are still finding value out of it. As the OP, and having owned both pre-facelift and a facelift W222, yes I think that particular service bulletin posted above is only valid for the pre-facelift, but the process itself that was followed can still be done for the facelift or any other model (Force Adaptation). I never felt I really needed this done on the facelift W222 though the transmission isn't smooth but that's how it works be design, but certainly needed it for the pre-facelift as it was not a "normal" behavior. If you have a facelift with downshift issue, I'd ask for "Force Adaptation" and would still reference that service note above at least as the guide. They might have issues something formal for the facelift but it doesn't matter if the tech knows what he is doing.
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1787 (05-08-2024)
#170
Resources on forums like this, and the people who take the time to post on them and maintain them, are just invaluable. I have the car in with the dealership now, and gave them the information on forced adaptation, so fingers crossed. I will update with results.
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S_W222 (05-08-2024)
#171
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,035
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From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Sounds good : ) Best of luck hopefully it solves it for you once and for all.
#172
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: KC, MO
W222 S560, 991.1 4S, Rivian R1S, Honda Odyssey!
Fyi my dealer has been very unwilling to do this on my 2020 S560. The shifts absolutely drive me crazy. They are saying there may be a software update in June, though I’m skeptical.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
#173
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,035
Likes: 2,911
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Fyi my dealer has been very unwilling to do this on my 2020 S560. The shifts absolutely drive me crazy. They are saying there may be a software update in June, though I’m skeptical.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
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BenzNinja (05-08-2024)
#174
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 827
From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years: GLS,X5,Tesla,Accord; Sold:S560;S550,2x X7; X5;BMW 530e;Lincoln Navigator;LS460
Fyi my dealer has been very unwilling to do this on my 2020 S560. The shifts absolutely drive me crazy. They are saying there may be a software update in June, though I’m skeptical.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
When I bought my facelift W222 and was waiting for it, a vendor offered me software service to open up and code it CarPlay "yet it's a factory thing" : ) ... believe it or not lol. Educate yourself, read, do your own research, and go from there. Best of luck.
Quick summary: this is the post that you need to keep an eye one, and exactly that process that your dealer should follow if they know how to do it. SA won't know, but u need to find a tech within the service dept who knows that:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post7961182
You can also refer to our forum colleague vinflouen in this post below, who had followed these same exact steps I shard above. Find the right dealer. To do it right this requires 2 people again, one to drive and one in the passenger seat to enter values for shift points for the forced adaptation.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8930789
Feel free to PM anytime; best of luck again.
Last edited by S_W222; 05-08-2024 at 08:11 PM.
#175
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,500
Likes: 3,804
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Fyi my dealer has been very unwilling to do this on my 2020 S560. The shifts absolutely drive me crazy. They are saying there may be a software update in June, though I’m skeptical.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.
Others have posted about success doing this themselves with Xentry. I’ve tried to do it but can’t figure out how. I’ve asked others to share step by step instructions and no one has been willing thus far - though I realize it is a lot to ask. BenzNinja has offered to try figuring it out but I haven’t had a chance to connect with him yet.
good luck and keep us updated.