W211 E270 CDI Gearbox Issue

[ManJ]

Hello All
I have a slight issue with the E class, I think it has probably been there for a while but I have not noticed it as it’s a daily drive.

When in D I notice when accelerating it pulls away fine and drives fine but at low speed when you ease off the accelerator its almost like it pulls back, you can feel that it isn’t just rolling free. (Does that make sense?)

It is definitely only when a gear is engaged as it wont do it if its just rolling in N.

Any comments welcome.

 

[ManJ]

Anyone?

 

[rascalmaster]

Have you tried a reset by holding down the pedal etc?

Put key to position 2 ( just before ignition turns)
Plant foot on accelerator past kick down ( all the way) and hold it there.
Count to five slowly
Switch off ignition key.
Count to five slowly.
Remove foot from accelerator pedal.
Wait 3 minutes for system to clear memory and reset.

This worked a treat for me....

 

[ManJ]

Will try this tonight, thanks for that and post back...

 

[rascalmaster]

cool....

yeah this is the 'easy way' to reset your gearbox memory.
apparently your gearbox (i'm assuming you have the triptronic) learns your driving style and adapts to it.
this can cause some 'strange' gearbox modus operandi to manifest itself... particularly if the car is second hand or has had many different drivers with different driving styles...
if nothing else it will do no harm.
also, i have found that driving in s mode is the standard way forward. this is what gets saved in the memory. Try driving in s mode if you don't already, once you have reset the memory.
many discussions around, even mercedes at hemmel hempstead told me c is comfort and the default driving setting... but then i read that s is infact standard mode and according to the manual should be your default choice!

 

[ManJ]

Morning
I tried this last night and then took it for a drive with no noticeable difference, the car has done 80,000 miles.

Do you think maybe it needs a ATF change?

Mercedes Benz have quoted £190 for the oil, filter and gasket or what they call the Automatic Transmission Service.

Thoughts?

 

[rascalmaster]

Sorry to hear that made no difference!
Does the service booklet show any transmission fluid change?
Mercedes initially said the fluid was 'for life' but later relented and introduced a one off service at 37,000 miles.
From what I have read, the gearbox can be very sensitive to either degraded oil, insufficient level or even if has been overfilled. Sometimes levels may be incorrect right from delivery!!
All else being equal, seems like a doer
I got it done for free as my service booklet showed it had not been carried out and as I bought the car from mercedes approved used; I took them to task over it...
I think an Indie quoted me about £160.
not a massive difference so I guess I would go with whoever I trusted more.
Hope you get sorted mate!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

You need to be checking which radiator you have. It could be the dreaded Valeo....
Do a forum search on 'W211 Valeo' and see if any of your symptoms sound the same as theirs...

 

[mambosabi]

I have a '54 E320 CDi and it does the same thing. Sounds like the exhaust is sucking in rather than blowing out. Spoke to an engineer friend of mine who is a car exhaust specialist designer and he says it is a safety mechanism? will speak to him again to find out what he thinks is happening.

 

[ManJ]

I have had the gearbox oil and filter changed at Mercedes Benz of Leicester this Friday, seems like it has made a difference... All back to normal, im guessing the car has not had it before in its 80,000 miles.

 

[timskemp]

The official line is "sealed for life" - but really it want changing whenever you're comfortable - I get mine done every 2 or 3 services and it's noticably smoother.

You need to get the radiator checked - if it's the older Valeo one it wants to be changed.

 

[BlackC55]

Have you tried a reset by holding down the pedal etc?

Put key to position 2 ( just before ignition turns)
Plant foot on accelerator past kick down ( all the way) and hold it there.
Count to five slowly
Switch off ignition key.
Count to five slowly.
Remove foot from accelerator pedal.
Wait 3 minutes for system to clear memory and reset.

This worked a treat for me....

This actually does not work at all. It is a complete placebo.

I have verified it with the Star.

 

[timskemp]

This actually does not work at all. It is a complete placebo.

I have verified it with the Star.

I get the feeling it may do something to the accelerator mapping though, and possibly the lock-up points?

Too many people recommend it for it to total rubbish surely?

 

[jonathanc]

I have tried this on my car and it definitely does something. I think it affects the throttle rather than the gearbox. The reason that I think it does something is that I am normal a cynical git so don't expect these cheap fixes to produce results but the car definitely seems keener.
Of course it also is smoother and quieter when it is clean - so what's wrong with placebos?? ;-)

 

[rascalmaster]

I have found a definite difference in the throttle response; as if the memory has been reset... And the gears change differently as well for a while till it settles down.
I have tried this a few times now (especially after the mrs has had her mitts on it for a while and I find the gear changes getting delayed/ changing at higher revs etc) and the change is instant...
Obviously if the experts say it's not verifiable on the star, I will go along with their experience and knowledge... but I could have sworn...

 

[rascalmaster]

I have tried this on my car and it definitely does something. I think it affects the throttle rather than the gearbox. The reason that I think it does something is that I am normal a cynical git so don't expect these cheap fixes to produce results but the car definitely seems keener.
Of course it also is smoother and quieter when it is clean - so what's wrong with placebos?? ;-)

Yup... defenitely a much quieter and smoother and peppier beast after a good wash and wax!!!
... hmm Olli has a point.

 

[st4]

Yup... defenitely a much quieter and smoother and peppier beast after a good wash and wax!!!
... hmm Olli has a point.

More aerodynamic so faster lol