transmission question

[Peter Michaels]

2008 180 SE 1.8 Kompressor Automatic petrol

Hello
I am asking to get some clarity about the following.
After I start up the engine, I put my foot on the brake, and put the gear into drive position. When I do that, the gear goes in with a bit of a crunch.

I found that when I press the brake down twice as hard, often there is no crunch and gear selection is smoother

The same often happens when I go out of the driving position into reverse. Sometimes a crunch sometimes no crunch. But definitely less crunches when the brake is pressed hard. I checked transmission fluid and it's ok.

When driving at first the colder engine goes slightly higher before the next year kicks in, but ones the engine is warm, everything is nice and smooth.

Is this normal for some automatics ? Our should I worry about it? Before I bought the car I did ask the dealer to change the gear oil which he says he did.

I guess before I drive on in the morning it be better to have the handbrake engaged before going into gear and realeasing it after the gear is in position? Is it normal to press the brake down hard before putting into gear position?

Many thanks
Peter

 

[MancMike]

A crunch? In an auto? Dafuq?

Handbrake engaged before putting int What? Dude, either your car is fkcuked or you are, but I've ever heard anything like it.

Look, you just sit in the vehicle, start it, no need to touch any pedals, put your foot on the brake if you want to put it into drive, then mash the throttle and be gone. You're making driving a mercedes auto seem like flying a plane...

 

[clk320x]

This is not the transmission

I think you are talking about noise from the brakes. In which case don’t worry.
Try this, put the car into drive. Now press the brake pedal and release it, slowly. See if you can replicate the noise.

I had a similar noise from my brakes, brand new pads and discs, new Caliper sliders, but in the mornings on the first release it still happens noise from brakes when released

 

[Peter Michaels]

If it's brake noise then is it usually normal to hold the brakes hard? Maybe I did not hold it hard enough and there was movement forward despite holding the brakes down, causing the noise? In that case the pressure on the brakes must be hard enough to make the car completely immovable. Hence I asked if it is advisable to hold brakes, put it into driving position and then release the handbrakes and drive on? Because really there should be no crunching sound and it should all be nice and smooth.

 

[MancMike]

You cannot put your automatic into drive unless your foot is on the brake pedal.

That selector is just an electronic box, there is nothing but wires going from it, to your TCU.

 

[Peter Michaels]

This is not the transmission

I think you are talking about noise from the brakes. In which case don’t worry.
Try this, put the car into drive. Now press the brake pedal and release it, slowly. See if you can replicate the noise.

I had a similar noise from my brakes, brand new pads and discs, new Caliper sliders, but in the mornings on the first release it still happens noise from brakes when released

Same here, all brand-new you just tip the brakes and it stops

 

[Peter Michaels]

You cannot put your automatic into drive unless your foot is on the brake pedal.

That selector is just an electronic box, there is nothing but wires going from it, to your TCU.

That is what I thought.
Foot on the brake before engaging. I have always done that. I just hate the crunching sound immediately when I put it into driving position. The crunching sound is first before it goes into first gear after selecting D.

 

[MancMike]

I’ve not heard a crunch since driving school in an old fiesta.

You’re either joking or joking. Film it. It’s obviously bull.

You put it into drive, and drive engages. There’s no clutch or synchromesh, so..?

 

[Peter Michaels]

I’ve not heard a crunch since driving school in an old fiesta.

You’re either joking or joking. Film it. It’s obviously bull.

You put it into drive, and drive engages. There’s no clutch or synchromesh, so..?

Why should I be joking? Iam asking a sincere question. I put it into drive and there is a crunching sound. I put it into reverse and there is a crunching sound. Iam trying to figure out if it's the transmission or the brakes? I do hold the brakes down when I do that, because the gear selector doesn't move otherwise. Maybe it's the automatic forward push when selecting D

 

[MancMike]

No, look, the selector is nothing more than a PlayStation controller.

The brake just holds the car still.

I can engage drive while rolling
backwards, or vice versa.
You’re describing a crazy situation nobody has heard of.

So film it.

 

[grober]

Perhaps crunch is the wrong word- If its brakes it will more like a groan or squeal-- more likely if the cars idling faster than normal because its cold or the idle control has a fault. Only other thing I can think of is if the transmission lockup clutch was faulty in some way. Check the car's idle speed hot and cold and report back.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

put the gearbox in winter mode, so it pulls off in 2nd gear , it is the initial tick over revs that throw these cars forward , when it gets hot it wont be as severe tbh .

 

[markjay]

...When driving at first the colder engine goes slightly higher before the next year kicks in, but ones the engine is warm, everything is nice and smooth.Is this normal for some automatics ?...

Yes it is. The gears will shift-up at a higher engine rev when the car is cold. This is done in order to reduce pullution. When the engine is cold, the catalytic converter is also cold and therefore ineffective. When the engine revs higher it warms-up more quickly. So warming-up the cat quickly helps reduce pollution.

 

[markjay]

On the issue of the 'crunch'... can you post a recording? Also, when was the ATF last changed? If your car has the 5-gear autobox, then it is due at 4 years or 37,500 miles.

 

[exvolvoman]

Mine goes into drive or reverse with a slight jolt when cold, but when warm is okay. Are you sure the atf and filter has been changed, correct fluid and at the correct level?
Gear shift patterns are slightly different with a cold engine

 

[Peter Michaels]

Perhaps crunch is the wrong word- If its brakes it will more like a groan or squeal-- more likely if the cars idling faster than normal because its cold or the idle control has a fault. Only other thing I can think of is if the transmission lockup clutch was faulty in some way. Check the car's idle speed hot and cold and report back.

Thank you I will

 

[Peter Michaels]

Thank you I will, groaning is the better word

 

[Peter Michaels]

put the gearbox in winter mode, so it pulls off in 2nd gear , it is the initial tick over revs that throw these cars forward , when it gets hot it wont be as severe tbh .

Ok I try this, thank you.

 

[Peter Michaels]

On the issue of the 'crunch'... can you post a recording? Also, when was the ATF last changed? If your car has the 5-gear autobox, then it is due at 4 years or 37,500 miles.

I only just bought it 5 weeks ago it's 5 gear yes. I asked e dealer he said it's all done before he put it up for sale. It looks ok colorwise.I record t today

 

[Peter Michaels]

I will do a recording today