I have noticed that in the diesels we drive that the gear selector goes D-3-2. Normally, my 300SD starts in first. If I floor it and leave it in 2nd, the transmission stays in first and leaves a good smoke screen behind. At this point, I am not paying attention to the speedometer or tachometer, but to the the size of the smoke cloud behind me. So, I shift into 3rd based on the sound of the engine and soon the transmission catches up. Does anyone know why these transmissions were not designed to be manually shifted down to first gear?

I suppose that some could put a micro switch on the shifter to kick down the transmission. Anybody do that?

Thanks.

As they always start off in first, there's really no reason to need to kick down to it.

And, by starting off in "2" like that, you're just abusing the engine/trans. Why wind it out like that? Putting it in "2" tells the trans to go to MAX rpms, then shift to 2nd, and it won't go higher than second (hence the "2") and it must be shifted to 3rd and 4th.

Why not leave it in D and let it shift properly? You're just going to break something if you keep driving it that way.

Micro switch? They're not electronic transmissions.....so, that would not work.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

isnt there already a kickdown switch under the gas pedal?

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

My transmission starts out in 2nd and shortly after stepping on the throttle you can feel it kick back into 1st.

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'83 300D 198,000mi Howard
'03 Saturn Vue CVT 75,000mi(wifeys)