I'm trying to determine the transmission type for my 1991 300SL (6cyl). I believe it's 722.5, but I've been looking into whether or not it is possible to add the bergwerks 1st gear start kit and I'm getting different information from different experts. Thier kit requires a signal from the kickdown switch, but I don't know if I have one. There is no mechanical switch under the gas pedal, but it could be a Hall effect device or located elsewhere. The transmission will only start in 1st gear if the pedal is pushed to the floor. Any info is appreciated. Tod

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Resistance is Futile.

This may not work on your model and it may seem inconvenient, but you might get a 1st gear start by dropping the shifter all the way down to the lowest gear; then back into drive while stopped at a light. This approach works on my 722.3.

If you want the tranny to kick down once underway, simply floor the accelerator pedal rapidly.

The general concenses is that these transmissions were intended by the original engineers to start in 1st gear all the time. But, because of gas mileage concerns, particularly in city driving, ( remember at that time these cars were considered gas guzzlers and had a gas guzzler tax attached ) some clown in marketing came up with the 2nd gear start idea. If I tromp it from a stand still, it will start to roll in 2nd, then as it revs it'll down shift to 1st and really start to move. But this can't possibly be good for the car's mechanics and it certainly isn't how a sports car should drive. 2nd gear start was a compromise by design to meet some end result which I can't begin to phantom. So, if it's possible to ad a "fix" kit to my transmission, I'd like to give it a try. Tod

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Resistance is Futile.