Hard SHifting before engine is warm
 

Just a causual query. I was looking at a 300TD and when cold it kinda jolted into 2nd. After 5 min when the engine was warm it shifted regularily. Is this usual? Sorry about the basic kind of question, I'm really not familiar with slushboxes.
Thanks to all (especially TXBill for his previous help) Patrick.

I think that's a common tendency among diesels from the early 80s: hard shifting when the engine is cold.

However, I changed the ATF in my 1981 300D to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and the shifting became smoother in all temperature ranges...especially in the mornings.

Hard shifting when cold is a very common trait when cold. Modulator adjustment can make it smoother when hot. The MOST important thing is no slipping hot or cold.

Normal among Diesel powered engine
 

Merry Christmas and Greetings,

I've noticed this to be somewhat normal during initial warm up of the tranny fluid. You may also experience early shifting or drawn out harsher shifting when the fluid is cold. Somehow this seem to be much more noticeable in a diesel engine powered car than a gas as my 300E doesn't trend this way, but both diesels do.

Charles