I just bought a '95 500SL with only 18K miles.

On most automatic cars, when I start from a stop and accelerate slowly, the car shifts to 2nd, but when you floor it at 20 mph in 2nd gear, it should drop back into 1st right? The 500SL stays in 2nd...is that normal?

These downshift tables are always confusing. If you have shift function S and E, then you have the highest capability in the "S" position. No more kickdown downshifts will occur at 24kph. In the "E" position it would not occur after about 20kph. Both these are for the "D" shift position.

If you do not have S/E then the highest 2-1 downshift with kickdown would be at 19kph. If you shift to the "2" position then the shift can take place up to 28kph.

There is a distinct difference between full throttle shifts and full throttle with kickdown. The point at which these shifts can be made are even slower. To check whether you get both I would try a clear road at about 40mph and push to the floor and see how many downshifts you get and then push the switch (you should be able to feel the difference between full throttle and full thot w/kickdown.) There will be a speed where you will only get one speed of downshift in the first position and two speeds with the switch. It may take a higher speed. BE CAREFUL!

Basically it looks like you can't get a first gear kickdown downshift above 12-15 mph.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[This message has been edited by stevebfl (edited 04-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by stevebfl (edited 04-22-2000).]

In my experience with the 722.3 transmissions if you are past 40%-50% of the gear you want to downshift into you will not be able to do it no matter if you are (on the button), working the shifter, all of the above, etc. If you want to keep that gear long without having your foot severely in it just use the shifter. Aside from that, learn to live with it. On both the 400E and 500E you could be at about halfway through 1st gear on one of the higher gears and try to get it back....all you'd have was 2600-2800rpm and a good wait on your hands while the engine came up on its cams. Nature of the beast more or less...

Hope this helps...Lee

Wow, these cars are complicated!

You guys are great!