Transmission shift points
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Transmission shift points
Hi all
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Mar 12, 2025 at 09:46 AM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
Likes: 6,352
Hi all
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Yes…it coasts fine…at least nothing out of the ordinary to have me think something is wrong.
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Mar 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,834
Likes: 773
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Hi all
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
I am two months into my 2015 W222 4matic. 63k miles. Trans serviced at 53k. This is my third generation S (‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic).
I am a light footed driver. I enjoy the slow go enjoyment of this beautiful car.
90% of the time the transmission shifts smooth as silk, up and down.
Still getting familiar the shift point, speed and rpm combinations.
My question has to do with “hard” downshifts when accelerating from a constant speed.
On a drive in the country this weekend I was cruising at about 35 mph in 5th. When I applied some pedal coming up to a slight incline, the transmission abruptly downshifted to 4th in a “clunky” manner and accelerated. This happens while driving around town as well.
I understand the downshift but should it be so drastic?
BTW…this happens while in Eco mode. I have read up about the ECO mode and think I understand what and how it operates.
The “Sport” mode is more responsive and the shifts points are sooner and smooth.
Is this par for the course in ECO mode or could something be going on inside the trans?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Chuck
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Thank you 2012 merc amg.
your input really helps…”normative data” if you will…I’m not alone kinda thing.
Good analogy about getting hit from the rear.
Hearing that this is a characteristic of the car helps to accept the situation.
While it bothers me, at least it’s not something specific with my transmission that needs repair.
BTW…did you drive in ECO mode and accept the condition?
thanks again
your input really helps…”normative data” if you will…I’m not alone kinda thing.
Good analogy about getting hit from the rear.
Hearing that this is a characteristic of the car helps to accept the situation.
While it bothers me, at least it’s not something specific with my transmission that needs repair.
BTW…did you drive in ECO mode and accept the condition?
thanks again
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
Likes: 6,352
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
Likes: 6,352
Very common issue with these trans especially the S550's. In my old S550 I sometimes felt like some other car was rear ending my car as I was slowing down coming off a highway exit ramp. My S560 does it on the 2 to 3 upshift mainly when I first start driving when the car is cold. I never bothered having the dealer mess with things, some people have had a trans adaptation done at the dealer. I think the trans is more likely to do this for slower drivers than someone who is really on the gas all the time do to the learning process of the trans also more noticeable if you are light footed.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I took a drive and did not experience the engine going to idle when coasting.
I was in ECO mode with the circled “A” console button on. 35 mph at 1100 rpm. Took foot from the gas with no reduction in RPM.
I read that the “A” button activates the stop/start function when waiting at lights, etc. That is also part of the glide mode operation.
However, the stop/start function eludes me. While I have ended up with stop/start working, I don’t know what I did to affect that.
Perhaps there is something I am missing.
I was in ECO mode with the circled “A” console button on. 35 mph at 1100 rpm. Took foot from the gas with no reduction in RPM.
I read that the “A” button activates the stop/start function when waiting at lights, etc. That is also part of the glide mode operation.
However, the stop/start function eludes me. While I have ended up with stop/start working, I don’t know what I did to affect that.
Perhaps there is something I am missing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 799
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Are you sure a 15 S550 does this??? I never saw it in my 17 S550. I thought "Glide Mode" was only for AMG vehicles with 4-Matic+, not with 4Matic.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
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From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
IIRC glide is exclusive to the 9g, it's also available on non AMG and in 48V cars will even turn off the engine.
MBWorld God!
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Hmmm, I dug in deeper, so that feature was first available on a W213, so I guess 2017 and + model year E-Class vehicles, I guess glide mode then eventually made available on facelift W222 only. The vehicle does not have to be an amg to have that feature, basically you put the vehicle in eco, keep auto start/stop on and let off the gas and it say glide mode with a ship sailing icon.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
Likes: 6,352
I took a drive and did not experience the engine going to idle when coasting.
I was in ECO mode with the circled “A” console button on. 35 mph at 1100 rpm. Took foot from the gas with no reduction in RPM.
I read that the “A” button activates the stop/start function when waiting at lights, etc. That is also part of the glide mode operation.
However, the stop/start function eludes me. While I have ended up with stop/start working, I don’t know what I did to affect that.
Perhaps there is something I am missing.
I was in ECO mode with the circled “A” console button on. 35 mph at 1100 rpm. Took foot from the gas with no reduction in RPM.
I read that the “A” button activates the stop/start function when waiting at lights, etc. That is also part of the glide mode operation.
However, the stop/start function eludes me. While I have ended up with stop/start working, I don’t know what I did to affect that.
Perhaps there is something I am missing.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,525
Likes: 6,352
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
All good….no harm, no foul.
We learned something….nothing wrong with that!
I love this forum!
Be well
Chuck
We learned something….nothing wrong with that!
I love this forum!
Be well
Chuck
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Mar 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
OP (and others), this thread below shows exactly what you need to do to fix the shifting issues with pre-facelift W222:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ting-w222.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ting-w222.html
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Joined: Sep 2014
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S600
As the engine lugs (a bit) getting to the manifold pressure it decides to shift,
the turbo is being fed with increasing exhaust gasses building intake pressure,
and then at the instant after shifting, there is more RPMs and more intake pressure,
which cause a set up in engine power,
which then goes away almost immediately because the throttle is "not open that much"
for the combination of throttle, gear, and turbo speeds at the instant following the shift.
