Originally Posted by sawdrl

Hi all.............I've just bought a 1997 E230 with the 5 speed auto box. At 97000 miles it runs fine, but from cold, it hangs onto the lower gears too long and the changes are quite snatchy. Its fine when it warms up, nice smooth changes, but there is a hint of whine in the first two gears, more noticeable when cold. I'm hoping it just needs the box servicing which I guess just means draining the oil, flushing the box and refitting a new filter and gasket ? I read elsewhere that synthetic or semi-synthetic gearbox oil can improve running especially from cold...........................any one got any tips or even an idiots guide to doing the job myself ? Cheers</P>


Your tranny requires special mercedes fluid, it's the only fluid allowed in it due it being the 5 speed auto or better known as the 722.6 transmission. Getting it serviced is a wise idea with a filter change as well. It should smooth things out a bit but keep in mind these transmissions typically have firm shifts to begin with when they're cold. Things generally smooth out a bit after they're warm.</P>

Originally Posted by paulr67

I have a very similar problem with my automatic 1990 300D, in the winter it shifts at higher RPMs when the car is cold, by this I mean, 1st gear it shifts at about 3500 RPM (it usualy shifts at 2700 to 3000 after it warms up), the last gear shifts at about 4000 to 4500 (after it warms up it shifts at about 3000). Again this only happens in the winter, and when the car is cold. Mine also shifts snatchy in the cold and shifts very smooth when warm. I still havent't found a resolution, but if I come accross something I will post it. You are not the only one with this strange problem.