SL/R231: Hard Gear Shift Anyone?
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Hard Gear Shift Anyone?
I just bought a 2013 SL550 with less than 55K miles. I live in Southern California, and the morning temperature is around high 30s to low 40s. That being said, when I first drive the car every morning or after sitting for a while, I feel the gear shifting, mainly when it gears down. There is no bad noise or anything, just hard shifts. After driving for a few minutes, the gear shifts smoothly up and down. It seems like the tranny fluid needs time to warm up and circulate throughout the transmission. Thinking maybe it needs a transmission fluid change, I took the car to a shop and had it serviced, but it's still the same. Is anyone else noticing this on their car? I don't mind it, but I'm just concerned that it's hurting the transmission every morning.
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I just bought a 2013 SL550 with less than 55K miles. I live in Southern California, and the morning temperature is around high 30s to low 40s. That being said, when I first drive the car every morning or after sitting for a while, I feel the gear shifting, mainly when it gears down. There is no bad noise or anything, just hard shifts. After driving for a few minutes, the gear shifts smoothly up and down. It seems like the tranny fluid needs time to warm up and circulate throughout the transmission. Thinking maybe it needs a transmission fluid change, I took the car to a shop and had it serviced, but it's still the same. Is anyone else noticing this on their car? I don't mind it, but I'm just concerned that it's hurting the transmission every morning.
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From: Central Florida
2005 C55 AMG Brilliant Silver, 1999 C43 AMG Black
I just bought a 2013 SL550 with less than 55K miles. I live in Southern California, and the morning temperature is around high 30s to low 40s. That being said, when I first drive the car every morning or after sitting for a while, I feel the gear shifting, mainly when it gears down. There is no bad noise or anything, just hard shifts. After driving for a few minutes, the gear shifts smoothly up and down. It seems like the tranny fluid needs time to warm up and circulate throughout the transmission. Thinking maybe it needs a transmission fluid change, I took the car to a shop and had it serviced, but it's still the same. Is anyone else noticing this on their car? I don't mind it, but I'm just concerned that it's hurting the transmission every morning.
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
the Mercedes gear box holds the gears longer on a first cold start because it is warming itself up to operating temperature. it is pretty normal for the 7G gearbox to shift pretty junk when it is warming up. even with new fluids and valve body and all of that stuff replaced (don’t ask me how i know). end of the day don’t worry about it too much . now if your gearbox is shifting hard while it is fully warmed up then that is definitely cause for concern
Last edited by rmorin49; Mar 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM.
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
It is advised NOT to sit idle on startup for more than about 30 seconds. During that time, you will run rich and may contaminate the engine oil with excess fuel. Best to start driving after about 30 seconds or when the idle drops from initial start.
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
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2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
That's probably closer to what I do. I just wait until the idle speed decreases to under 1k rpms.
Last edited by rmorin49; Mar 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM.
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2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
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From: DFW
SL63
I put my car into gear right after I start it. I then let it idle in gear, on backroads for 2 minutes to let my turbochargers get up to speed. Then I allow the rpm to rise above idle only enough to allow a gear change{~1100rpm}. I keep that pace for about 10 minutes, until the engine oil is up to minimum temperature at about 160deg(F). Then I drive normally until my transmission temperature rises to minimum temperature of about 120deg(F). That takes at least 20 minutes. From then on, if I need performance, I use it.
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From: DFW
SL63
I have a selectable display on my steering wheel dashboard display(R232)
It is the first or second option in a list of about 10 display selections.
3 temperatures are displayed.
On top is an icon of intermeshing gears, that displays transmission oil temperature.
The middle readout has an icon that looks like a genie lamp(oil spout) and it displays engine oil temperature.
The bottom readout is coolant temperature.
The R231 probably has a similar display, I just haven’t seen it.
It is the first or second option in a list of about 10 display selections.
3 temperatures are displayed.
On top is an icon of intermeshing gears, that displays transmission oil temperature.
The middle readout has an icon that looks like a genie lamp(oil spout) and it displays engine oil temperature.
The bottom readout is coolant temperature.
The R231 probably has a similar display, I just haven’t seen it.
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
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Image source from forum member JettaRed: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...6859711424.png
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Here is how engine data menu look like https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...SMZZgBDtCJ_w&s
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This is good advice which remote starters don't take into account of sadly.
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the Mercedes gear box holds the gears longer on a first cold start because it is warming itself up to operating temperature. it is pretty normal for the 7G gearbox to shift pretty junk when it is warming up. even with new fluids and valve body and all of that stuff replaced (don’t ask me how i know). end of the day don’t worry about it too much . now if your gearbox is shifting hard while it is fully warmed up then that is definitely cause for concern
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Here is how engine data menu look like https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...SMZZgBDtCJ_w&s
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