No first gear

[Robert Deming]

I have a '91 300SL which never uses first gear. It starts in second then shifts normally to 3rd, 4th and 5th. The shift points are easily controled with throttle pressure, it kicks down properly, and there are no unusual noises. No amount of throttle pressure will bring out first, and I can't test first gear kick down, because we don't have the traffic free space around here.

Has anyone had any experience with this problem, any suggestions?

[tecqboy]

It is normal NOT to start in 1st gear. I also have a 91 SL300. To start in 1st, standing still and with your foot on the brake, move the shift level all the way down to "2" for a moment, the put it back in "4" or "D". When you take your foot off the brake and hit the accellorator, it will start in 1st gear, then shift up through the remaining gears all the way to fifth. Go figure...it's a Mercedes thing. As far as I've been able to determine, this vehicle does not have a kick-down switch under the gas pedal. If you stomp it from a stand still, it will drop into 1st, but I think it gets the info from the throttle position sensor and the tach signal. 1st gear start is really "low". Bergwerks made a "kit" you could add to always get the 1st gear start, but they recommended it only for the 8 cyclinder cars which also start in 2nd but have only a 4 speed auto. So, I think those of us with the 5 speed auto's ( 300 / 320's) actually have the most versitle transmission set-up.

[coleyjf]

Hi Robert

My 88 300SL (4 speed Auto) has a switch which enables 1st gear start in S (standard) mode, but in the E ( economy ) setting it starts in 2nd gear as well.

I have seen a review of the SL range from the late 80's which states that the standard 2nd gear start is to comply with US fuel useage regulations.

Cheers

Jim

[rajinder_1]

if you are using the E mode in your car it will always move off in second, push it down to S that will start in first.
The E mode is used for winter driving and it prevents the wheels spinning on snow etc, and the S mode for all the other time.

You will find that in S mode you use more gas as its got a higher rev range between gears. Genrally i think most people use E mode unless your going to hammer the car in which case the car automatically changes to S mode itself, for eg when you kickdown the car will down shift 1 or 2 gears thats when it goes into S mode.

Raj

[C280 Wiz]

Have two modes W for winter and S for summer. In winter mode they start in 2nd gear and have two reverse ratio's. It is a 4 speed auto in W mode. In S or summer mode the startup in first gear and the gear ratio's are different then W mode and use all 5 gears.

These electronic transmissions introducted in 99 are the only ones that have a provision for starting in second gear.


All hydraulic automatics start in first and should shift down to first below 20mph. Yoou can test it by moving the gear shift to L of 1 below 20mph if you feel a noticeable jolt, your in 1st gear. When is the last time you changed your fluid

[tecqboy]

1991 SL300's don't have "E"conomy, "S"port, "W"inter, or "S"ummer modes. It's a straight forward 5 speed auto which always starts in 2nd gear unless over ridden by the method I described above. Please don't confuse this issue with information not applicable to this particular vehicle.

[cbdo]

Second-gear starts have been part of several MB transmissions going back to at least the early 80's. For the 4-speed in the 560SL, and I think the earlier 380SL, there's an electric component to the control system that allowed Bergwerks to do their FGS module--a simple, effective electronic solution for a mostly-hydraulic box. For the successor, the only way to rig FGS had to do with the valving in the hydraulics. For the electronic in your 300SL, I've not seen any posting about a system to change to full-time FGS start.

[Robert Deming]

I thank everyone who responded to my inquiry about first gear in my '91 300SL. It works exactly as described by tecqboy. That is, I can get first by selecting "2" with the lever while holding the car with the brakes, or I can get it by really stomping the accelerator from a stop. It is odd that Mercedes doesn't mention these requirements in the Owner's manual!

For those who mentioned the "E" mode or the "W" mode, I appreciate the suggestions, but those modes are not available on the 300SL transmission. I know you are correct for other transmissions because I have a '98 E320 which does offer the "W" mode.

Thanks again to all.

Bob D.

[cbdo]

FWIW, the same trick works on the 560SL; for a first-gear start with an unmodified tranny, select the lowest range then move the lever to the right to the "B" position, then back to drive. And no, the manual doesn't mention it AFAIK except for engine braking on steep grades, when it's used to downshift into first.

As tecqboy said, "It's a Mercedes thing."