I have a 95 S320 -- and when the engine is cold the car will not shift out of first unless the RPM goes up pretty high. this lasts for maybe 2-3 blocks from home. I heard this is normal and related to cat. convertor warm up. Is there something in writing from MB that indicates this is normal? (ie, somewhere in owners manual that i can reference?). I am selling the car and want the buyer have comfort that this is normal.

Thanks very much!
John

 

first of all, the transmission starts in second gear unless you go to near full throttle which has been designed into the transmissionsin order to achieve better fuel economy. As you may have noticed, second gear is quite low to facilitate those starts. Secondly, the transmission is in bed with the emissions control system and as such, will hold the car in a lower gear when cold in order to warm the engine up faster which warms the coccles of the EPA's heart;as the idea is to get the motor hot faster in order to lower emissions. This was explained in the manual of a 93 300E I used to own and may be in the newer manuals though i'm not sure if it is so in your model.[/align][/align]Best,[/align][/align]Will[/align]