500SL holding in gear

[Olly]

From cold, my 1991 500SL tends to hold in gear. Changes are more jerky and pronounced. After a fair few miles, all becomes well.

I have been told that this is a feature of the car, and is necesarry for warming the engine more quickly. Is this bull or not?

Have read somewhere that it could possibly be programmed out. Would love to know if this is possible on a 500SL, it is spoiling my enjoyment.

Any thoughts?

 

[Sp!ke]

This is quite true about doing this from cold. Sounds like it may be taking a little too long to warm up though. What timeframe/temp are we talking here before it returns to normal?

 

[Shude]

I have been told that this is a feature of the car, and is necesarry for warming the engine more quickly. Is this bull or not?

It is for warming the catalytic converter up. My car does exactly the same thing.

I'm amazed that MBs don't have catalytic converter heaters independent of the engine!

 

[guydewdney]

<aol>
me too
</aol>

 

[jaymanek]

can be deprogrammed at a dealer i was told.

Jay

 

[Olly]

It takes around 3-4 miles of stop-start driving. Gearbox service just been done, not made a lot of difference.

Very annoying, as most of my journeys are short.

 

[GEESOTTS]

i gotts a 1992 500 sl, same thing.......tis annoying

 

[Alps]

mines only started doing this since my gearbox change, but then my CATS rattling so that could have something to do with it!

anyway booked in to have high flow CATS and a custom stainless system at Hayward and Scotts in Basildon.