New GLA owner-Auto jerky!

[Saymon]

Hi folks,
New GLA 200 petrol, collected from the dealer two weeks ago but finding the automatic gearbox of this 1.3 L engine quite jerky specially in low gears.

I wonder if this is something wrong or is this a trait of this 7 speed auto. Also sometimes breaking seems to have the same noise when the rear parking camera opens.

 

[Fastcar155]

When I had a Mercedes C207 the 7 speed auto gear box was extremely smooth in operation.Again the breaks worked perfectly.

Take the car back to the dealer and get them to sort out your problems to your satisfaction or reject the car.

 

[fourwheels]

Mines a GLA200 (new as of last March) with 7 speed auto gearbox.
Mine is very smooth, certainly not jerky.
Your last comment regarding the rear parking camera opening on braking has got my attention.
The rear camera attempts to calibrate on every start when the vehicle travels forward in a straight line at a speed of less than 18.6mph. Invariably it fails to do this because of traffic conditions and it tries again when you brake at a junction and speed falls below 18.6mph. It usually fails again. This can continue for an entire journey.
It’s noisy, irritating, and to my mind unnecessary. I think it only applies to cars with certain options, maybe the 360 camera view.
As to the suggestion of rejecting the car, don’t hold your breath.
Because of the noisy camera racket I rejected mine (with the Dealers agreement) in April. There has been delay after delay by Mercedes who promise action and return phone calls which never come. I’ve been on the back of this continually but it gets me nowhere. Currently waiting on Mercedes Maastricht (they phoned me after I complained again to Dealer) promised a phone call and action within 5 days, now 10 days ago, needless to say ……

 

[Saymon]

Thanks guys for replying.


I think the jerky gearbox was mentioned in some of the reviews of this car. It only happens at low speeds and I live in London where there is a lot of stop start traffic and slight press on gas pedal propels you forward.
Not sure if they can be adjust to make it smoother. Raised it with the dealer.

 

[markjay]

Assuming that the car is new (as opposed to 'new to you'), then I would ask the dealer for an FOC software update for the TCU.

 

[Saymon]

Assuming that the car is new (as opposed to 'new to you'), then I would ask the dealer for an FOC software update for the TCU.

It’s a brand new 74 plate delivery. Thanks for the advice. Never had a brand new car, so this new to me about FOC.

 

[markjay]

It’s a brand new 74 plate delivery. Thanks for the advice. Never had a brand new car, so this new to me about FOC.

If you have a complaint under warranty, the dealer's first step will (almost) always be to update the relevant software at no charge to you.

This may or may not resolve the issue, but the logic behind it (from the manufaturer's perspective) is that there's no point spending techs' time trying to diagnose an issue that may have already been fixed by a later software version.

 

[Saymon]

An update on this. Went to the dealer and the technician had a test drive. He told me that is the characteristic of the car as his wife has the same car. and the turbo with the small engine creates a surge of power in the lower gears, that was his explanation. But then when I told him about doing a software update on the transmission, he said I can book it in for diagnostic and they can adapt the gearbox, but can’t promise whether it would have the desire effect.

so I’m thankful for that advice because otherwise you would’ve just told me that it’s a normal characteristic of the car. I’m going to book the car in for diagnostic where they can do the software update and ‘adapt the gearbox’ as his word.

 

[Saymon]

On an another note, I’m finding the engine unrefined with its small 1.3 petrol engine with mild hybrid.
Had thought of a diesel in the GLA range but because we do short urban miles, I thought the petrol was better though never owned a diesel before and didn’t test drive GLA one. The effortless pull I remember when I had driven old Focus a decade ago, but read about vibrations on GLA models?
Is diesel good for short urban use. I bought mine on lease.

 

[Mickyh7]

Reject the car as soon as possible.
You will have to 'put up with it' for years.
It's new, it should be seamless.
I had a toyota that was difficult to drive smoothly in traffic, I looked like a learner!
Best thing I did was get rid!

 

[DSM10000]

It’s a brand new 74 plate delivery. Thanks for the advice. Never had a brand new car, so this new to me about FOC.

It's under warranty for 3 years. Any repairs or updates required under warranty should be free.

 

[DSM10000]

On an another note, I’m finding the engine unrefined with its small 1.3 petrol engine with mild hybrid.
Had thought of a diesel in the GLA range but because we do short urban miles, I thought the petrol was better though never owned a diesel before and didn’t test drive GLA one. The effortless pull I remember when I had driven old Focus a decade ago, but read about vibrations on GLA models?
Is diesel good for short urban use. I bought mine on lease.

Diesel engines are definately not suited to the use you suggest.

Did you test drive the petrol automatic before buying it? What exactly do you mean by unrefined?

 

[Saymon]

Diesel engines are definately not suited to the use you suggest.

Did you test drive the petrol automatic before buying it? What exactly do you mean by unrefined?

I mean the engine is a bit noisy under acceleration. I suppose with its small 1.3 litre, it won’t be smooth as a bigger engine. Yes I did test it before purchasing.

 

[DSM10000]

I mean the engine is a bit noisy under acceleration. I suppose with its small 1.3 litre, it won’t be smooth as a bigger engine. Yes I did test it before purchasing.

Engine size itself has nothing to do with smoothness.

Is it engine noise only or smoothness as well you are finding an issue? A smaller engine will have to work harder at higher speeds and, possibly, Mercedes didn't add as much sound absorbant material to this car as they do to other models.