7G-Tronic Gearbox Rough Upwards Gearchanges, Especially When Cold

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silversurfer10

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Location
Cornwall
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SLK
Hello everyone,

I have a 2010 Mercedes CLS 219 with a 7G-Tronic Gearbox. I have noticed that on a cold start, when setting off, the first gearchange up in particular is rather rough and jerky. However, once the car has been running for several minutes, the gearchange when setting off seems to be much smoother. Also, when the weather is warmer, on a cold start, the first gearchange up is less rough(though still not smooth) than had the weather been cold. Is this a normal phenomenon with these gearboxes or does this signify an issue? Many thanks in advance.
 
Difficult to tell without experiencing it, but on a general note, the gear shifts on 7g (and 7g+) transmissions can be harsh when cold, so most likely there's nothing wrong with it. Has it been serviced according to schedule (I believe it's ATF and filter change every 3 years on yours)? Also, a TCU software update might be good idea. But ultimately, it's a characteristic.
 
My experience of the 7 speed box was that it would not shift up until the engine was warm & probably a good thing too.
As always best let the engine & drivetrain warm up before expecting peak performance & smoothness.
Incidentally the 9 speed version has the same characteristics.
 
My 7G-Tronic is the same. Apparently the teeth on the cogs wear with age too, making the gear changes less 'certain', to an extent. At least that's what I was told.

Luckily, I have a 20mph zone on my doorstep which, whilst a complete crock is useful for me to pootle at 10mph until the junction in order to let the gearbox hang onto first and change up in its own time.
 
The gear box modes are

E economy, which is the default option and will start in 2nd gear

S standard mode and will start in first

M manual flappy paddle mode if you have it


I have the 7G+ on a V6 2011, and after my 5 year gear box service, I have noticed smoother shifting around the point this thread is talking about


I also think OP's car is 3 year or 30-something thousand miles interval, whichever is first.


Silversurfer10, when was the last gear box service please?
 
The gear box modes are

E economy, which is the default option and will start in 2nd gear

S standard mode and will start in first

M manual flappy paddle mode if you have it


I have the 7G+ on a V6 2011, and after my 5 year gear box service, I have noticed smoother shifting around the point this thread is talking about


I also think OP's car is 3 year or 30-something thousand miles interval, whichever is first.


Silversurfer10, when was the last gear box service please?
Thanks, I looked through the service history from the previous owners and I am not sure a gearbox service has been completed
 
Have you ever changed the diff oil? everyone forgets the diff oil needs changed as well as transmission oil.

I did ask about this, because MB do not specify any service schedule for the diff oil (apart from on some specific models)... and the advice from specialists was to just check the level but not change the oil.

That said, if I was still servicing my cars DIY (which I no longer do), I would have probably changed the diff oil anyway, because for the price of the oil, it can't hurt.
 
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I did ask about this, because MB do not specify any services chedule for the diff oil (apart from on some specific models)... and the advice from specialists was to just check the level but not change the oil.

That said, if I was still servicing my cars DIY (which I no longer do), I would have probably changed the diff oil anyway, because for the price of the oil, it can't hurt.
Thank you, I will look into it
 
Hello everyone,

I have a 2010 Mercedes CLS 219 with a 7G-Tronic Gearbox. I have noticed that on a cold start, when setting off, the first gearchange up in particular is rather rough and jerky. However, once the car has been running for several minutes, the gearchange when setting off seems to be much smoother. Also, when the weather is warmer, on a cold start, the first gearchange up is less rough(though still not smooth) than had the weather been cold. Is this a normal phenomenon with these gearboxes or does this signify an issue? Many thanks in advance.
Hi , In my experience the 7+ box does take time to get hot.I drive the car slowly until the engine temperature has obtained normal operating temperature.That aside my car normally is in Portugal in the winter months and when I use the car I go through the same procedure.I have stated before I feel different engine gear box combinations may have different gearbox charactistics.

I tried numerous C207s and I must say all the changes were satisfactory.

I understand the 7 (no stop - start ) is a similar to my gear box but Mercedes have a good reputation for making good automatics systems.I suppose the question does it annoy you or can you live with it.Depending on the mileage / service history of the car servicing the gearbox may help smooth out the change but the down side it may not.If the car is a keeper I would have the gear box serviced so you know where you are with the car.

There must be some non franchised Mercedes in / near Cornwall who could do the service.I would not suggest that you get your local garage to carry the work out. Special fluids are required.

Hope that helps
 
My 7g is 16 years old and 100k miles, its been serviced only once so definitely due but like the earlier nag1 its odd when cold, a self preservation thing but perfectly good warm.
 
The transmission is still an easy service as long as the garage has the tools to do it, you don’t have to be a specialist to have the right tools for doing certain jobs on it. Just ask wether they can carry the job out as there is special tools to do the job. If they don’t have the tools they may be able to advise someone who has. A specialist you would think would have the tool but it depends how close the specialist is to you and if your willing to travel the distance
 

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