S320 Autobox question

[adam1977]

Hi all,

This is my first post on the forum, so please be gentle with me

My question concerns the auto gearbox (4-speed) basically when the car's doing 70mph the rev counter reads 3000rpm is this normal for this type of transmission?

Previous Auto's I've had all dropped the revs at around 56 mph; all were 4-speed units too, if I recall correctly it was some sort of diff-lock that came in at that speed to lower the revs

I hope you can understand the question, after reading it through myself I'm not sure if I can

 

[d w124]

Hi there Adam,and welcome to the forum.

 

[renault12ts]

Oh that Avatar.

 

[renault12ts]

Are you sure it is changing up...it sounds like limp mode?

 

[s500colin]

Hi and welcome to the forum I'm sure some of the Knowledgeable members will soon explain your problem

 

[stevesey]

Are you sure it is changing up...it sounds like limp mode?

4 speeds weren't electronic - so did they have a limp mode?

Worth checking all the vaccum piping - I'm no expert but I'd imagine a lack of vaccum would stop it changing up.

have you tried moving the lever from D to 3 to D to see if it drops down and then back up (or is really stuck in third).

 

[adam1977]

Many thanks for the replies, nice to be here, glad you like the avatar

I'm pretty sure it's changing up ok, but 3000 rpm seems excessive to me, I had a Rangie Classic with a 4-speed auto and that used to drop the revs down at around 56 mph-from 4th gear; a Jaguar XJ40 I had was the same

 

[fudge1200]

Hi Adam, Welcome to the Forum, Fairly new myself.
I have the same model as you, and have also owned a couple of Xj40, They both slipped into top gear at approx 53 mph. I have noticed with this car once it has gone into top gear. at 70mph the revs are approx 2500, I took it a bit higher the other day which took it to 3000. but I am still trying to fathom out the exact speed it goes into top as the box is so smooth.

 

[fudge1200]

Sorry Adam just checking my post and I see I don't have the same model, I have a 99 w220 S320.

 

[bennesspipers]

My W202 C220 auto is at about those revs at 70,so yes thats right

 

[adam1977]

Thanks for the replies folks, much appreciated

Today I decided to check the gearbox oil level after going on a long run; it was a little low (just below the minimum mark on the 80 C side) I've topped it up and I'll see how it goes. Is this the correct procedure for this type of 'box by the way?

Out of interest, what make would the gearbox be? as far as my documents go it states the following number: 722371 0 4293063.

 

[Stratman]

The correct procedure for dipping the transmission fluid requires the engine to be running and the gearbox in Park (or Neutral) as well as being up to operating temperature. It is also essential that only the correct specification fluid is used.

 

[adam1977]

The correct procedure for dipping the transmission fluid requires the engine to be running and the gearbox in Park (or Neutral) as well as being up to operating temperature. It is also essential that only the correct specification fluid is used.

That's what I thought, last time I checked an auto 'box oil level was on a V12 XJ-S and I just thought maybe the procedure had changed since the good old days I had read somewhere that the oil had to be a specific temp or something

Thanks for that

 

[Dai rees]

Hi Adam, --- Firstly I am suprised when you say that the Gearbox is a 4 Speed I was of the understanding that this mdel of which I have the same were all 5 speed. Any way you talkof changing into top gear, my car which I must admit I do drive with a kight foot changes up into top at about 55 Mph and in top gear 5th in mine at 70MPH the rev counter is showing 2 250 -- to 2 300 RPM. Hope that this is some help.


Dai

 

[adam1977]

Hi Adam, --- Firstly I am suprised when you say that the Gearbox is a 4 Speed I was of the understanding that this model of which I have the same were all 5 speed. Any way you talk of changing into top gear, my car which I must admit I do drive with a kight foot changes up into top at about 55 Mph and in top gear 5th in mine at 70MPH the rev counter is showing 2 250 -- to 2 300 RPM. Hope that this is some help.


Dai

Hi Dai,

From what I've read the 5-speed 'box was standard on the V8 engined models, maybe was an option on 6 cylinder ones and was standard from late '96 onwards. Also from what I've gathered the 4-speed box is supposed to be less troublesome as you can fully drain the 'box when doing an oil change (torque converter).

Having said that I wish I'd gone for a late '96 onward S-Class, they have side air-bags etc. and a lower revving engine at the legal limit and maybe the extra rear legroom of the LWB wouldn't go amiss either I was told by a manager at my local dealers that the later ones weren't as good as the earlier ones due to the complexity of the electrics, although weren't they all quite complex

 

[frog1520]

My S320 from 1997 revs at 2500 rpm at 70mph. It has a 5 speed auto box.

 

[adam1977]

My S320 from 1997 revs at 2500 rpm at 70mph. It has a 5 speed auto box.

Thanks for that, it sounds as though mine, at 3000 rpm is about right then