Have a 05 with 50k miles and never abused. Live here in NorCal and on cold mornings (I know..it's California) when I am easing onto the freeway, I feel a vibration/shudder when I am picking up revs in 2nd to 3rd or 3rd t0 4th gear- not sure which gear. Only feel it on that specific gear. When car is warm, no shudder- all is good. Thoughts??

 

when was the last time you had a transmission service?

 

You should try resetting the shift pattern to the factory spec. that may resolve you whole issue. Let me know if you need the instructions.
Mike

 

Have them check the engine and transmission mounts also.

BTW OP had good advice. Time for a xmission drain and filter/magnet clean. Make sure they drain the torque converter.

 

No drain on the torque converter on any S55...you will have to flush it to get a full change done...I did mine last year...plan on replacing the electrical connector and o-ring on principle...they are only $20.
Mike

 

Great input -thanks. It was tranny mounts and something else doing with tranny mounts etc. A $1500 fix but covered undr extended warranty. Am having a tranny service done today after that fix. Not sure of their procedure, but would assume they would drop pan, change any filters if any and put in new fluid. Assume their will be old fluid remaining in there mixed in with new. Since I do not beat on the car at all, may I ASSUME that the fluid should be ok???

 

Mike,

Curious about the shift pattern reset. Can you send instructions. Really apprecaite the feedback

 

To attempt to answer your question about mixing old and new approved fluids I would defer to Glyn Ruck the go to person for such issues. I strongly urge you to search on his postings. I do not know if you can mix the original tranny fluid with the latest approved fluid. Obviously since you are "in for a penny" replacing all the fluid as mrbenzes suggests is the way to go. Only a few of the MB dealers invested in the kind of flush machine that would change the fluid completely as mrbenzes alluded to. Thus, now that the complete change interval for all 5 speeds is approximately 40k miles there is a issue. Read on.

The original 5 speed MB transmission fluid is NLA (the latest approved fluid maybe a different color but I am sure you don't have that yet and you will want that latest fluid) so if it really discolored and the pan is really dirty, etc. I would want the job done completely. Again Glyn will be the authority here.

As far as mrbenzes other valuable comments go I agree that replacing the plug and gasket is cheap insurance; it should at least be inspected. I had one fail on my G500 and it left me high and dry - AAA was helpful! I replaced the electrical plug and connector on the CL when I changed the fluid.

Although I am not intimate with the S55 for several model years the 5 speed transmissions had no drain on the torque converter My '02 G500 does not have a TQ drain while my '05 CL does.

However, for sealed TQ transmissions there is another procedure for changing the fluid completely in STAR but it takes 2 techs (when I had my '02 G500 fluid changed I acted as the second tech!) so the MB dealer sans flush machine is going to tell you the TQ cannot be drained or flushed because they are not going to tie up two techs for a couple of hours on one job. Thus you'll get 5 quarts of new transmission fluid rather the 9 quarts. Are the old and new fluids compatible? Ask Glyn!

Glad that my suggestion re: mounts worked out for you

I had my CL tranny and I think motor mounts replaced under warranty in '06. I think there was a Bulletin on it - would need to check the CL55 forum.

Suggest you check the first thread in the S55 forum on Bulletins.

 

To reset the trans shift back to factory defaultsdo th efollowing steps.
- Insert the key and turn ignition to ON but do not start the car...use the key even if your car has keyless start.
- Press and hold the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold for 5 seconds, then release.
- Turn the key to off.
- Wait at least two minutes for the reset and then you can start er up and take a drive...
The transmission will take a minimum of 40 shifts before it "learns" you driving style.
I drive mine like a baby carriage most of the time so i have to reset it once in a while to get rid of the occasional shudder...these cars shift mush better if driven aggressively.
I did these from memory and will check my book toi ensure i included al of the steps.
You will immediately feel the change in the shifts when a reset is done.
Mike

 

Thanks again for all your responses. The motor mounts were "stiff/collapsed" as well as tranny mount. All replaced under easycare warranty.

Also had oil leak at both valve covers. New gaskets and hoses. Also covered under easycare warranty.

Car drives smoothly like a dream now....a dreamy BEAST!!!

 

That is great news...glad to hear you are back o the road.
Mike

 

Can you tell me what an easycare warranty is and how I would go about getting one?

PS
Glad they replaced some of the the breather hoses along with the VCG. Oil on the ignition boxes can become a nightmare. Did they say anything about replacing the VC breather cover gaskets? I'm not sure if your engine has them but I replaced them on my G500.

 

Phone # is all I have EasyCare- MBZ Ext. Warranty
1-800-230-2434. Good Luck!