300e wont shift from 1-2 in morning

[rlumsd]

Did search, didnt quite find this.

1992 300e 3.0, 91K, doesnt want to shift from 1st to 2nd for 4-5 minutes or about a mile in the morning. Once it does the car rides and shifts beautifully all day, even after setting 4-6 hours. Trans fluid level looks good, and smells okay. Didn't have this problem until morning temps dropped below 75F.
My '89 300e w/130K never did this. What can I look for ?

[Benzmac]

This is called upshift delay. It was designed to quickly heat the catylist. You should have it checked because if they fail, they can hold too long as it sounds yours is doing.

[David C Klasse]

And just for clarity, it should not be shifting out of 2nd gear, not first. (If this is the feature you are talking about.). It will not shift out of second gear until the coolant temp has reached 50 C or the RPMS go above 3100. Try that...

[rlumsd]

Hanging in gear is a good description. I check the fluid level again (engine above 80C, leveling and idling for at least 3 minutes) and it seemed to be about 3/8" above full.

My 92 does start out beautifully all the time in 1st gear. should this not happen on this year ?

My '89 always took off in 2nd. Which is correct for a 92 ?

[rlumsd]

I like the sound of it maybe being normal for the 92 to start off in 1st gear. Lord knows the response is much better.

Upon further thought, I did just have the engine oil and filter changed at the dealership a few days ago. It's probably coincedence but is it possible a vacuum or electric wire got disturbed or something ?

[Gilly]

Upshift delay applies to all shifts when the system is activated, not just 1-2 or 2-3, all shifts are delayed due to the upshift delay solenoid. It in effect makes the throttle valve "shorter" which makes the trans "think" you are accelerating harder than you really are, which causes the transmission to delay the upshift, which would be normal for hard acceleration. It helps warm up the catalytic converter and O2 sensors. If it is delaying upshift for the first 5 minutes or so, then the system is working as it should and i wouldn't worry about it. maybe I'd worry why it didn't do this before, but not about what it is doing now.
Gilly

[rlumsd]

I definately like the sound of something acting normal, but please re-confirm that not being able to go above 5-10MPH in 75F weather because the trans is hanging in low gear is normal ???? I'm confused cause I gratefully see a couple of different replies here from worthy looking sources..

Here's what I do; I start car in the garage, it's 70F+ in garage and outside, car runs for 30-60seconds before I idle out and back down inclined driveway. By the time I reach the street it's @2minutes, engine temp gauge is above 40C. I just put Mobil-1 0/40 in it, shouldn't engine warm even faster?? Now, within last few days, the car seems to hang in low gear for about 1/2 mile or so. Afterwhich, it shifts and works great until the next morning.
Is this okay or am I heading for trouble ?

[engatwork]

It really does not sound any different than what my '95 E320 does except for the speed. I do run mine on up to around 30-35 mph during this time because that is what the speed limit is. I don't pay much attention to how far down the road I get before it shifts. I would not worry about the engine "warming" faster - everything you describe sounds pretty much in line.

My 93 has this delay. After a while, I got used to it but in the winter, it seems like forever sometimes.

[Gilly]

The warm up speed sounds great, especially if it's the first start of the day. 70 degrees F. ambient temp, 40 degrees C after 2 minutes, almost sounds "too" good, but if it doesn't overheat, who cares I guess. The oil won't make that much difference, if anything "slipperier" oil will reduce friction in the engine and it'd warm up more slowly if anything.
The upshift delay shouldn't explain not being able to not accelerate more than 5-10 mph as you state. may be heading for trouble after all. i'd leave it at a dealer or trusted repair shop familiar with MB and have them give it a roadtest with the intention of diagnosing the upshift delay. If your "target" speed is 10-20 mph, maybe it's normal. If your target speed is 20 mph or more, then I'd say there is a problem. May just be the throttle valve cable is set too tight to begin with. Have you had the transmission fluid and filter change done recently? Should be done every 30,000 miles.
Gilly

[rlumsd]

This morning, I gave the car 3 minutes to warm and it drove fine without trans hanging at all !! So perhaps it does just need to be warmed up a bit longer now that it has the 0/40 that helps reduce engine friction.

I'm not sure of the last date fluild/filter change so I'll have it changed.

[David C Klasse]

Another way to test it is to see if it will shift @ 3100 RPMs. If it does, then you're fine.

[rlumsd]

Excellent info from all.
To be clear what you mean... do you mean drive it while it's cold, and see if it shifts at @3100rpm ?

Also any additional confirmation that this 92 model should start out in 1st gear ?

[David C Klasse]

Yes, when your engine is cold, see if it will shift out of gear at 3100 RPMs, if it does, then it's normal.

And if I recall correctly, your model should have 1st gear start (someone please correct me if I am wrong.)

[300EE320]

That might be a pretty abrupt shift at 3100 RPMs though - and on a cold tranny too. I just let the '90 stay in 2nd and run at lower RPMs until it shifts when it decides to (about .5 mile).

The heat within your engine is primarily generated by the combustion process, not internal friction. So the weight of oil you run should not have any real impact.