While Mercedes-Benz models are well-known for being reliable and luxurious, use and wear will eventually cause the internal systems to break down and require repair. One of the possible problems Mercedes owners may run into is erratic shifting in the automatic transmission. Luckily, we’re going to discuss how to detect these problems, what might be causing them, and what to do to fix them.
Signs and Causes of Erratic Shifting in Mercedes Automatic Transmission
There are many possible reasons why your Mercedes’s transmission may be malfunctioning, but none of them should be ignored. The transmission is one of the most important parts of your vehicle’s systems, and without it, the vehicle cannot function.
As soon as you notice that your transmission is working erratically, you should take your vehicle in for repair. Leaving it unfixed is dangerous, as you shouldn’t be driving a vehicle with a bad transmission. It will also cause the problem to worsen over time until the car is unable to work at all.
With all that being said, here are some of the most common things to look out for that will let you know when the transmission is starting to break down:
- Leaking transmission fluid: It’s never good for fluid to be leaking out of your car, but transmission fluid specifically has a distinct color and smell that should tip you off to their being a big problem. Transmission fluid is typically red and smells sweet.
- Wear and tear: As with all machines, and particularly machines, like a car whose internal systems are constantly dealing with extreme pressure and heat, things will start to wear down over time. Specifically, you may notice things like worn gears or frayed wires.
- Faulty solenoid: Solenoids are part of the system that provides power to the vehicle, and when they become worn or damaged, they can cause erratic shifting.
- Faulty sensors: There are many sensors inside the car that monitor various functions and areas of the car. Some of these are in charge of monitoring the transmission and pedals and sending information to the vehicle’s onboard computer. These sensors help give the computer the data that it uses to tell when the gear needs to shift. If the sensor isn’t working properly, the car won’t know when to change gears, which can cause it to shift randomly or with a delay.
- Damaged transmission pump or dirty lines: In order to function properly, the transmission needs a certain amount of pressure to make the gears turn and shift when necessary. Damage to any of the lines that lead to the transmission or the transmission pump itself can lessen the amount of pressure, leading to troubles with proper shifting and acceleration.
What to Do to Fix the Problem of Erratic Shifting
As soon as you notice any possible problems with shifting in your vehicle, you should take your car to the mechanic as soon as possible. While DIY options may exist, when it comes to delicate and super important systems like the transmission of a car, it is generally a better idea to leave the repair to professionals unless you have a lot of experience with cars.
That’s what the experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable mechanics at Escondido German Auto are here for. Conveniently located for clients in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center, California, we have the tools necessary to get your Mercedes back in working order efficiently and with low stress.
We offer repair and maintenance services to Mercedes vehicles, of course, as well as many other popular brands in the area, such as Audi, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Sprinter, and Volkswagen.
If you would like to learn more about what we can do to help fix your erratic shifting problem or any other car-related issue, feel free to contact us to learn more, or stop by our shop to speak with us in person. We will be happy to meet you and discuss your problem. Our mechanics will help you find the most efficient solution and give you the peace of mind of knowing that the issue is fixed.