the 87 190e 2.6 i bought recently seems to be running awful high rpms at highway speed (3000 @ 62mph) is the over drive not engaging - is there a lock up torque converter on the car? i haven't got any manuals on the car yet
(last week i did notice the atf was low added 2 qts of redline synthetic) i only feel 2 shift points when in drive, should there be 3.

That's what 300Es and 300SEs with similar engines and transmissions run. 62mph at 3000rpm is too relaxed for 3rd gear either.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I'm pretty sure the 190 has the same transmission as the 124 series- there isn't an overdrive- it's 4-speed. Since you have an earlier model your transmission probably starts in 2nd, hence only 2 shifts: 2-3 & 3-4.
Mine I think runs around 3000-3500rpm at 70-80ish.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Exactly. Your top gear is 1:1, and it starts in 2nd gear.

The speedometer gearing is set up for the 849 revs/mile of the OE 185/65R-15 tires and the axle ratio is 3.27:1, so revs at 60 are 849 x 3.27 = 2776.

Tires with a different revs/mile spec will not effect this relationship, but they will impact speedometer accuracy, and as previously stated, the auto trans starts in second gear unless you floor the throttle. Fourth (top) gear is direct and there is no "overdrive".

Duke

These revs would be applicable with a manual transmission with the rear wheels directly coupled to the engine.

However, in the case of an automatic, with a fluid coupling, the actual rpm at 60 mph is going to be 200-300 higher than 2776, and, hence the posted 3000 rpm figure.

thanks to all you guys you're helping me learn about this car alot

I didn't mean to open such a can of worms - thanks again guys!!
info and entertainment who 'da thunk it!