My transmission started acting a bit funny. Perhaps it's related to the colder morning temperatures of late.

After backing downhill out of the driveway, stopping and putting the selector in drive, then applying a bit of pressure to the accelerator pedal, the car starts to move forward about an inch or two, then there is a hesitation of about an eighth to quarter second and a very small thump, at which point it takes off with confidence. I can duplicate this several times before driving off. Slow shift to first, perhaps?

The behavior cannot be duplicated with the transmission warm. However, when the transmission is warm, the car always starts off from a stop in first gear, with little pressure on the accelerator pedal. I thought it was supposed to start in second.

Specifics:
1996 W210 E300D (Diesel)
WDBJF20F9TJ0xxxxx
Four-speed automatic transmission, ETS but no ASR (I think - warning lamp on dash does not light during the above behavior)

bump

transmission slips are common on those cars. Might want to get it serviced before it gets worse.

New information time.

I checked the fluid level a few times, and it seemed a bit low. However, I do not have a pyrometer, so I'm not sure the the fluid temperature was correct.

After driving about five miles, the level showed about 5mm below the add line for the low temperature scale. After driving on the highway for an hour, it was about 5mm below the add line on the high temperature scale.

I added 1/2 pint of fluid to the transmission, and now it seems to perform as it should, regardless of the temperature in the morning.

I'll probably do a fluid change in the spring anyway.

To correct a comment in the original post: according to the owner's manual, this transmission always starts in first when a forward gear is selected.