Resetting auto gearbox memory without disconnecting battery..

[SLK230UK99]

Found this on the US MB slk forum... was a little scepticle at first until loads of guys reported that their cars were quicker off the line, changed gear at more optimum points etc, so I tried it and it does indeed seem to work!

The long way to reset the gearbox memory is to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes - but follow this quick procedure and it can be done in a couple of minutes!! Give it a try yourselves and post the results if it works!!

" 1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.

2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter turns over.

3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position.

4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.

5. Wait 2 mins for a full alignment.

6. Drive the car as you always do.

Depending on your driving style, this may or may not be a big factor. I do a lot of city driving so I noticed a big change after erasing my history. It is not hard to do this, just follow the instructions - Key on, pedal down 5 secs, key off, pedal up, wait 2 mins. Keep the key in for the entire thing. Seems to work on mine. "

 

[PJH]

I take it that this is 5 speed 'boxes only.

 

[Steve_Perry]

I take it that this is 5 speed 'boxes only.

I would assume so as SLK's only ever had the 5 speed electronic boxes.

Thanks for the tip SLK230UK99, I'll give it a whirl on my W202 and see what happens.

S.

 

[SLK230UK99]

The US forum site is down at the moment but when its back up I'll post a link to the thread which gives a longer explanation of how it works... but in short its to do with throttle body adjustment on 'drive by wire' throttles that adapt to your driving and supposedly will work on any car with this setup.

 

[230K]

Hi

Sounds interesting, does it matter if the gearbox is in winter/summer?

230K

 

[Brett]

Sounds interesting as I find my box in S very jerky. I was going to ask the dealer to investigate. Might give this a go first.

 

[Doodle]

Definitely give this one a try, might explain why the C250 is underachieving. Mine was own by the fabled "little old lady". Bless her, my grandmother didn't give the throttle much abuse in the 7 years she owned the car.

 

[SLK230UK99]

Here's the thread on the resetting process and various positive responses...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1225800&posts=27&fid=26

 

[Brett]

Sounds interesting as I find my box in S very jerky. I was going to ask the dealer to investigate. Might give this a go first.

I finally remembered to do this today. It certainly appears to have done the job in that the car is much smoother on take off, doesn't appear to "jerk" when changing gear etc. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding i.e. when the missus next drives the car. I *may* be subconciously driving "better".

The car was a demonstrator, so I guess it may have been subjected to all sorts of "bad habits" during that time....resetting it *may* have sorted things out for me.

 

[mobeyone]

Whats the difference between this and a hardwire reset? i.e. when at a dealer?

 

[SLK230UK99]

you can do this yourself in just over 2 minutes without disconnecting the battery and having to re enter radio codes etc...

 

[jim4]

Tried it on my CLK this morning. Might be just my imagination but it definitely seems more responsive as a result........

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

will try this tonight...is it actually working or are you all imagining it

 

[GrahamC230K]

Here's the thread on the resetting process and various positive responses...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1225800&posts=27&fid=26

It says this is a throttle body adjustment....

...... ah hell nobody but 5937 MBClub members will know I am about to try this on my manual!

 

[portzy]

Whats the difference between this and a hardwire reset? i.e. when at a dealer?

I would imagine that with the 30 minute battery off re-set, along with the accompanied radio etc code re-sets, that this would amount to an hours labour for the retail establishment. They are highly unlikely to let it be known that the same thing can be done with a two minute by-pass fix therefore saving you some money into the bargain. Or, am I being too sceptical in my old age?.

Portzy.

 

[Bazzle]

That was my post on the other site... :bannana:

Bazzle

 

[GrahamC230K]

That was my post on the other site... :bannana:

Bazzle

My feling is it may have a bigger impact on autos because throttle position must have a lot to do with the gear changes, but it clearly sys it is a Throttle Body reset - this is common to all transmissions.

Let us know if you get a reply in the other thread though please.

 

[Bazzle]

Manual or auto. On a manual the throttle body adapts to the driving style, ie, slow driving makes it more non linear. Reset helps to put it back to linear for a while.

Try it on yours, certainly wort hurt anything.

bazzle

 

[mobeyone]

what about cleaning the throttle body? is it?? cannot remember what its called....

I have tried this on mine several times now and you do get an improved response - but that can (anyone?) work against you i would think as this does not give much time for the gearbox to store or remember how you drive?

so you may drive round slow one minute and then boot it the next and confuse the box completetley causing the gearbox to hang slightly during changes as it has nothing to work towards?

Or am i a loon?

 

[SLK230UK99]

That was my post on the other site... :bannana:

Bazzle

Heya Bazzle....tried it on two 230 auto's with good results....nice one!