High Rpms driving at 70mph:
 

Hi; New Mercedes 320 sl owner. 1999 year with 61,000 miles car runs great but not sure that the Automatic Transmission should run such high rpms at 70 mph it is around 3000 rpm is this normal? Or are there possible issues Thanks.

RE: High Rpms driving at 70mph:
 

Not sure what the exact ratio is but I would expect ratio to be about 30mph/1000revs. i.e. at 70 you should be at about 2300 revs.

If 3000 then it appears that you are not in top (5th) gear. (Standard wheels and tyres??)

Is there not an indication on the dash that states what gear you are in or does it just state D for Auto.

Suggest you do a gentle start on a quiet bit of road and observe each gear change on the rev counter. You should have 5 gears. Do you have Tiptronic. This was intro in about 1999. if so you can manually change thru all the gears and Tiptronics definitely tell you what gear you are in.

Suggest you then get the DTC's read for the transmission at your local dealer in order to determine a better basis for diagnosis. Agree cost before you start.

Stuart.

RE: High Rpms driving at 70mph:
 

About 2400 at 100kph, for SLK you do the maths. As Snaneki says is it in 5th?

Dont know re the SL? Ask the SL forum?

https://mercedesforum.com/forumid_13/tt.htm

Bazzle

RE: High Rpms driving at 70mph:
 

Thanks for the respones i figured out that I didnt have the car in 5th gear these mercedes are defiently different .

RE: High Rpms driving at 70mph:
 

How did you manage not to be in 5th in an auto?
Presumably you are referring to Tiptronic.

On Tip you just pull the selector lever all the way back.
However if you wish to drive "manually" movement of the gear selector side to side changes manually BUT once this has been done it cancels the auto change and waits for your next input.
The display on the dash changes from D to 1,2,3,4,5(whichever is selected)

This type of manual override is present on many vehicles these days but the method of initiating is different manufacturer to manufacturer. Ford move the gear lever sideways once in D and then you select by pushing the lever either backwards or forwards a small amount to change manually. Jaguar use a J gate etc etc.

OK now?

Stuart