SL/R231: Rough shift when cold
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Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Here is a transmission adaptation using a YOUCANIC scanner. You can probably do the same with the LAUNCH scanner. And certainly you can do it with XENTRY, though the XENTRY process seems a little more complicated.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
You can also try a transmission reset. This is not the same as a transmission adaptation. Below is one of many YouTube videos that describes the reset process.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bLQGCTeMi...549Cr8h6aGjcs2
https://youtube.com/shorts/bLQGCTeMi...549Cr8h6aGjcs2
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
I do not think it is dangerous. I have done this type of reset without any problems before. Honestly, I don’t know what it does, but a lot of people swear that it does reset to factory settings. When I have done it in the past, I really can’t say I noticed anything.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 525
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Took the SL for a "spirited" drive last evening. Could be my imagination but the shifts at low RPMs were very smooth. In Manual mode at higher RPMs very fast and crisp. I'm pleased after the "reset". My SL was a 3 year lease in Florida with 21k miles when I bought it in 2019. Has 36k miles now.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 525
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Yes, I do. At moderate acceleration shifts are smooth as are the downshifts. Under hard acceleration shifts are quick and crisp. I also used Manual mode to go thru all 7 gears up and down. Very pleased. I also think that driving moderately for several minutes in cold weather is a good idea.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
I agree. The temperature gauge on the IC loosely displays the coolant temperature, not the engine oil or transmission. The gauge is very misleading because when it hits approximately 90°C (mid point) the engine oil and transmission oil are still not fully warmed up. There is a section covering this in the operator's manual that says not to drive tool harshly until the transmission temperature is at the minimum operating temperature. My experience is that in cold weather, the transmission can take 10-15 minutes or about 15 miles to fully warm up. So I always give it plenty of time. The order of things reaching operating temperature is usually the coolant first and then the oil and then the transmission.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 525
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I agree. The temperature gauge on the IC loosely displays the coolant temperature, not the engine oil or transmission. The gauge is very misleading because when it hits approximately 90°C (mid point) the engine oil and transmission oil are still not fully warmed up. There is a section covering this in the operator's manual that says not to drive tool harshly until the transmission temperature is at the minimum operating temperature. My experience is that in cold weather, the transmission can take 10-15 minutes or about 15 miles to fully warm up. So I always give it plenty of time. The order of things reaching operating temperature is usually the coolant first and then the oil and then the transmission.
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