The car has approx 12,000 miles on it and is due for Service A. Was visiting in Philadelphia. Car sat over nite in cold weather. Driveway had a slight slope to it. I started the car to let it warm up. About 10 minutes later it started rolling down the driveway with the transmission in the park position.

Yes I know I should always use my parking brake on a hill (my wife was quick to point that out as well as my other driving habits).... But still, why call the transmission select position PARK. Why not 'SOMETIMES PARK BUT NOT ALWAYS'...

This car should not roll in the PARK position. It's unacceptable for a vehicule of it's calibre. I will be asking the tech this question and will post his reply. Can anyone tell me if there is a service bulletin out on this issue?

You have ruined your transmission. The transmission is not designed to hold the vehicle weight. The PARKING BRAKE is designed for this purpose.

When I apply the parking brake, I always apply it when I am in Neurtral (manual or automatic transmission). That way when I release the foot brake, I will know whether the parking brake will hold the vehicle and not the transmission.

Car Nut
99 E430 Sport

I wish I was your mechanic. I make a lot of money off of you. So where does it say that I have ruined the transmission?

Actually, as I understand, your transmission IS designed to hold your car, even on a pretty steep hill. Perhaps you shifted into park errantly while still moving at some point? Or perhaps your shift lever isn't adjusted properly (and that's just a guess)

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Have shift selector checked for proper adjustment.

I can't see the pawl failing just like that. More likely Park was not fully engaged for some reason.

As your car is under warranty, raise the issue with your dealer.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

The pawl can bend if the transmission is shifted into "Park" while the vehicle is moving. I would go the linkage exam route first.

Just got the car back from the service shop at my local MB dealership. They were unable to re-create the problem. They checked over the transmission and parking brake.

Just to clarify, the car was on a very slight grade, just enough to get a ball rolling. The car rolled slowly about 1 to 2 feet. It was almost imperceptable. Once I realised the car was actually moving, I engaged the parking brake.

Anyway, thank you for your helpful comments, (even carnut). I will keep you posted if it happens again.

Maybe it's just one of those electrical glitches? Isn't the transmission an electronically-controlled one?

Just a rough guess..

I don't truss my old diesel's transmission so I always just use the parking brake...

well good luck! Hope it won't happen again

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Well I'm back with another question... My wife was returning from work, about a 15 min run on the highway (she's got a lead foot so it was prob more like 10 min at 90 mph ) She came to a full stop after the exit and accelerated onto the main street. The car would not shift out of 1st gear for about 1.5 miles. She kept the car at about 10 mph with the hazard lights on. Then it began shifting normally and has not done it since. This was about 5 days ago.

I will be bringing it to the dealer for inspection since it is under warranty. Does anyone have any experience with a similar problem?

Thanks...

I am curious if your C is Germany or Brazil made?

i was told C was made in south africa.

didn't know there are still WDB's around!!

Mine did the exact same thing(not shifting out of gear) just last week. It was after I changed the transmission filter, gasket, and blew out the lines. Works fine now, I guess just had a glitch. But two instances of different nature with the same tranny in a week, I would take it in and have them thoroughly check it.

Hey Ethan,
the car was manufactured in Germany.

williambishop,
I am suspicious of the shift logic. This car is equipped with the Winter/Summer modes (as well as traction control). The transmission has a manual override mode too. It all seems to work fine?