When I was at the mechanic this morning, he put my car (190E) on the lift. I thought it was weird that the rear wheels were spinning and asked him why they were. He said the car is in NEUTRAL. OK, question one: I thought the tires weren't suppose to spin in neutral. Question 2: Why didn't he put the car in PARK instead when it was on the lift and engine runnng? Was there a reason why he left it on NEUTRAL?

Also, can one shift from DRIVE to 3 or 2 while the car is in motion?

Is there a cable that is accessible from the engine bay that is used for transmission adjustments?

Well, getting back from the mechanic's shop for a routine check up, I came back with more questions than answers :(

Seeing the mechanic (an apprentice, perhaps?) coming back from a test drive in my car made me a little paranoid. He turned really fast and that kind of made me wonder...like what did he do while test driving? Anyhow, thanks.

Hello,
Sorry, but I can only answer one of your questions. I have a 190E, and it used to be that when I would change a tire or put it on a jack, the wheels wouldn't turn. BUT, recently I jacked my car up to do some work and took the wheel off and the wheel would go around and around. I stopped by the dealership and ask a mech I know and he said that if there is a little rust between the wheel and mounting place-(correct term?) then the wheel will stick in place. What is normal however is for the wheel to spin especially if it has been off recently and there has been no time for build-up in between. He also said that it doesn't matter what gear the car is in. Help any???

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Scott Chaffin
1986 190E 2.3 8V
http://www.geocities.com/scotty-c_2000

I too can only answer one of your questions, and it is the easy one: yes you can shift to 3 or 2 while the car is in motion. Just pay attention that you are not going too fast for that particular gear (indicated by the yellow dots around the speedometer) and you will be fine.

anthony

Cossie,

1. Neutral is neutral...wheels can spin.

2. The cable in the engine bay for the tranny adjustment might have just been the kickdown or throttle linkage. I had what I believed to be a flaring tranny fixed by replacing a worn clip on my darned throttle about 24 hours after I bought my 190E.

As for the apprentice turning it fast and driving it...let him do his deal. Better to have him hear a bad bearing/bushing/or ball joint and fix it now, while you are there.

Enjoy and keep asking the questions.

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John J. Meadows
'83 300D 3.0L 260k mi.
'85 190E 2.3L 99k mi.