Soft shifting Trans
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 67
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Soft shifting Trans
I was reading on the Benzworld SLK 32 forum that they chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift even with the auto trans. My SRT seems very soft, almost as if the computer rolls out of the throttle between shifts then rolls back in. Just wondering how everyone else's cars shift. Thanks!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Prospect Heights
Re: Soft shifting Trans
The Throttle is "Drive By Wire" and adapts to your particular driving
style. Do a TBA Throttle body adaptation.
1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.
2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter
turns over.
3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position.
4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back
to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas
pedal.
5. Wait 2 mins. for a full alignment.
6. Drive the car as you always do.
Depending on your driving style, this may or may not be a big factor. I do a lot of city driving so
I noticed a big change after erasing my history. It is not hard to do this, just follow the instructions -
Key on, pedal down, 5 sec, key off pedal up, wait 2 minutes.
Keep the key in for the entire thing.
If this doesn't work, disconnect your neg. battery cable for 20 minutes. This will re-set the parameters in the drive-by-wire... Unfortunately it will delete your pre-set radio stations, clock etc. as well...
style. Do a TBA Throttle body adaptation.
1. Get in your car, it doesn't matter if you close the door or not.
2. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter
turns over.
3. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position.
4. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back
to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas
pedal.
5. Wait 2 mins. for a full alignment.
6. Drive the car as you always do.
Depending on your driving style, this may or may not be a big factor. I do a lot of city driving so
I noticed a big change after erasing my history. It is not hard to do this, just follow the instructions -
Key on, pedal down, 5 sec, key off pedal up, wait 2 minutes.
Keep the key in for the entire thing.
If this doesn't work, disconnect your neg. battery cable for 20 minutes. This will re-set the parameters in the drive-by-wire... Unfortunately it will delete your pre-set radio stations, clock etc. as well...
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Re: Soft shifting Trans
Problem fixed! Not a trans issue, an IC pump issue. not enough power to spin the tires! Now it spins on 1-2 and 2-3 , WOW! Not the fastest way, spinning the tires that is, but it sure is cool! 
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Soft shifting Trans
How did you discover that it was an IC pump issue? My dealer has thoroughly checked the car and says that everything is fine. Mine will not chirp at all and feels sluggish from time to time. I'd like to know how you convinced your dealer that there was an issue.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 1
From: Lakeville, MN/ River Falls, WI
Re: Soft shifting Trans
If you do a search there is tons of info on this IC pump failing. I had the dealer switch mine out as well after 16,000. What most guys on the benz forum are doing is switching to the Johnson cm30 pump its about $100 dollars out of pocket but you know its getting fixed and you know your going to get a better flow of coolant. I am going to order mine right through ebay here is the link.
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showth...n+pump+install
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showth...n+pump+install
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showth...n+pump+install
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showth...n+pump+install
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Re: Soft shifting Trans
My IC pump was just done and I still have very "soft" shifts. As someone else said, there is no where near a chirp from 1st to 2nd. It's almost like a slide from 1st to 2nd and not a hard shift. Car still runs strong though. Hmmm.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 2
From: Williamsburg, Va
Re: Soft shifting Trans
Hmmm, with ESP off, mine will kick out almost sideways on the 1-2 if I launch it hard on the street. Have the dealer check the tranny fluid next time you take it in...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Soft shifting Trans
Originally Posted by NeverEnough
Hmmm, with ESP off, mine will kick out almost sideways on the 1-2 if I launch it hard on the street. Have the dealer check the tranny fluid next time you take it in...
Last edited by cgocifer; Sep 18, 2007 at 08:23 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 2
From: Williamsburg, Va
Re: Soft shifting Trans
Mine does it almost everytime I have it floored, weather I spin off the line or not. It will usually spin for a second or two, find grip and then light the tires again briefly at the 1-2 shift, hence the Rear end stepping out a little on the shift. It still almost does it with the ESP on too, but the "light" blinks often...
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: carleton, MI
Re: Soft shifting Trans
when your chirping into 2nd are you using auto stick? or just flooring it? mine won't chirp into 2nd also. when i hammer it from a stop with esp off barely spins and i only have 1,600 on the car! looks like should take it in and have checked out.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Re: Soft shifting Trans
With the car up to temp, traction control off and in drive, the car should roast the tires and even spin the car into a donut without fail. I did it multiple times wednesday with no effort at all. Just floored the pedal from a stop.
Re: Soft shifting Trans
From a full stop, with the tranny in "D" mine chirps 1, 2 and sometimes going into 3rd.
(AND I LIKE IT!!)
(AND I LIKE IT!!)
