722.440 gearbox: 1st- or 2nd gear start? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Vronsky · #1 11-02-2004, 05:58 AM

Fella's,
Would like to know if my W210 722.440 auto gearbox has 1st- or 2nd gear start. There's no '1'-st gear position on the panel beneath the shift stick, '2' is the lowest position.
If it's 2nd gear start: is there a mod to change it to 1st gear start? Bergwerk's info doesn't mention any W210 option.

THANKS!

Gilly · #2 11-02-2004, 08:14 PM

Relatively sure it's 1st gear start. I can find no record on the US production 722.4's that indicate 2nd gear start, all 1st gear start.

Gilly

Roncallo · #3 11-02-2004, 10:59 PM

I know that in the case of my 88 560SL the car starts normally in second gear with the selector in the D position. The positions are B, 2, 3, D. However it will start in first gear if I press the pedal to kick down. So essentially I have 1st whenever I need it. I was under the impression that all MBs that started in second would go to 1st in kick down.

John Roncallo

Gilly · #4 11-03-2004, 04:22 AM

Many of the cars with the 722.3 and 722.5 have 2nd gear start. The smaller the engine (and most Diesels) the more likely it is to have 1st gear start.
Gilly

Vronsky · #5 11-03-2004, 04:28 AM

Is there any procedure to find out which one it is?

Gilly · #6 11-03-2004, 04:40 AM

Yeah, count the number of shifts it makes. It's a 4 speed, so if it starts in 1st, you'll have 3 upshifts (start in 1, upshift to 2, upshift to 3, upshift to 4), if it's starting in 2nd there will only be 2 upshifts. Accelerate moderately, as a hard takeoff on a second gear start car will make it start out in 1st.
Gilly