My car was at the dealer today for new rear discs. Turned out it didn't need them, however the vibration was from one of the front wheels, which was loose (shock and horror, lucky escape etc). They tell me they checked it out and torqued up all the wheels.

No charge.

But, they must have done something else. The 5sp auto is completely different. It kicks down! It shifts down on a quickly opened half throttle. It holds a low gear through corners. In short, it does everything it is supposed to do, but never did before (eg it would not kick down out of 5th at 70mph, now it drops to 3rd).

My question: what have they done?! (it was not just the S/W switch, I checked that out long ago). I will be phoning to discuss when I get a chance, but just wondered whether you guys had any ideas. Is this something that could be achieved on hook-up to the diagnostic computer??

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190

It's possible that they just reset the computer or noticed something loose that got fixed magically.

Speaking of which, I guess I've been reading too much harry potter, 'cause when I read your title, I was wondering what kind of beast they turned the car into.

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

You're absolutely correct: loose throttle cable. Apparently there was so much play in it that I could not get any power. This explains why my car has been loathe to change down: it thinks I haven't bee pressing the accelerator.

While the car is not exactly a beast, it is a bit faster!

__________________
JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190