Hesitation between shifts -
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
When's the last time you serviced the transmission?
How long have you owned the car and has it always been like this?
If it's been better, how long ago was it shifting better?
When is the last time you just performed a tcu re adaption?
Is manual shifting just as slow as automatic?
does this car have a TCU tune?
can you upload a video to demonstrate?
any codes (hard or soft) when you scan the car?
is the trans skipping between shifts? Tachometer flaring?
when is the last time you replaced spark plugs and coils?
do you feel like the car is producing the appropriate power up to the shift point? Or is it feeling weaker than it should at the higher RPMs before shifts?
tell us a little bit about the car, how many miles is it? How did you come to acquire it?
I would not recommend any type of tune or blow a valve until this is resolved
When's the last time you serviced the transmission?
How long have you owned the car and has it always been like this?
If it's been better, how long ago was it shifting better?
When is the last time you just performed a tcu re adaption?
Is manual shifting just as slow as automatic?
does this car have a TCU tune?
can you upload a video to demonstrate?
any codes (hard or soft) when you scan the car?
is the trans skipping between shifts? Tachometer flaring?
when is the last time you replaced spark plugs and coils?
do you feel like the car is producing the appropriate power up to the shift point? Or is it feeling weaker than it should at the higher RPMs before shifts?
tell us a little bit about the car, how many miles is it? How did you come to acquire it?
I would not recommend any type of tune or blow a valve until this is resolved
Bought the car a year ago with 24k
No Trans service performed
No TCU tune
No adaptations performed since acquiring the car
Recent oil/filter service w new air filters.
1 current silent code for bank 1 knock sensor
No CEL currently or ever
Oil Pressure solenoid disconnected
It’s always been like this - I don’t drive it hard very much, but the delay between 1-2, 2-3 if I nail it is quiet noticeable.
when I was with MB I had one of my techs tell me on a customers car with a similar situation the ECM would delay the shift until
the boost dropped etc….
I can shoot a video one day soon - it’s mainly a garage queen




I always used Renntech when I worked at Benz and had really good results.
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, normal ?
TIA
- You clearly recognize hesitations & delayed shifts in every day driving and would like faster shifts.
These are fair expectations for any good car. You are only a few details away from great shifts.
> DIAGNOSIS...
As pointed out in your report... your poor shifts are 90% the result of the engine poor throttle control reported as hesitations.
10% is from miscellaneous factors. Here your "knock sensing" must be resolved.
> BEST SHIFTS
The tranny has a perfect firmware that self-adapts to predictable engine conditions. Leave tranny alone to focus on engine issues. Then stock tranny will deliver the best seemless matched-Rpm shifts. you've ever had.
> CURRENT MODE
Right now you're only getting "best efforts" shift mode. Frictions make up Rpm differences with managed clutch pressure: slippery-sloppy. It can NEVER adapt to variable power input.
> PERFECTLY MATCHED
You will get seemless matched Rpm shifts when the ECU can set the engine throttle to match target shift gear Rpm. Period that's all.
These shifts are extremely quick because there no slippery clutching with slow increasing pressure. It's direct actions:
- open clutch
- shift gears
- slam clutch stacks
> STOCK SETUP
Gear shift issues are multiple:
- wrong high gear ratios are selected
- shift timings suffer delays
- banged gear shifts up or down
- worse hot than warm
By the time engine hesitations are transformed into precise throttle control, matched Rpm gear shift will be enabled automatically.
Predictable throttle control only happens with sealed contributions.
Tranny adaptations are only a quick bandaid until tranny relearns its own good or bad adaptations.
Your first targets are solving that rare "knock" issue.
* include your upset TPMS as well: CAN-B can bug engine-tranny CAN-C timings.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 28, 2025 at 02:39 PM.
So it looks like it's slipping - the tach flares between shifts and hits a rev limiter
this is a trans issue - and the shifts are slow and it's problematic; your car should be shifting much better than this
Last edited by PeterUbers; Nov 28, 2025 at 01:05 PM.
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A dealer visit with ATF + Adaptations will improve shifts for better reference.

Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 28, 2025 at 01:52 PM.
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