E320 CDI Auto box not starting off in 1st gear

[Aircon Andy]

Ive just bought a 2004 E320 cdi auto. Drives lovely smooth and I didn't even notice for a week that it doesnt set off in 1st gear but more like 2nd or 3rd. However if I hit the go pedal hard, it does change down and then goes thru the gears as you woukd expect. Ive never owned a Merc before but Ive had loads of auto's and never seen this before. So what I would like someone in the know to tell me is 1, is this normal. 2, if it isnt normal what can be done about it and 3, if left as is, will it cause any further damage? Would be very grateful for any info. Thanks, Andy

 

[AMGeed]

You should have a button next to gear shift that says C and S.
It is probably in C (Comfort) mode which selects 2nd gear starts.
Press that button once to change the gearbox to S (Sport) and youll find it will set off in 1st gear.
It should be indicated on the dash which mode you are in.

 

[Aircon Andy]

You should have a button next to gear shift that says C and S.
It is probably in C (Comfort) mode which selects 2nd gear starts.
Press that button once to change the gearbox to S (Sport) and youll find it will set off in 1st gear.
It should be indiated on the dash which mode you are in.

Thank you for that, I'll give it a try tomorrow. Out of interest, does Sport mode do anything else to the car besides affecting gear changes?

 

[Naraic]

No.

 

[EmilysDad]

Ive just bought a 2004 E320 cdi auto. ..... it doesnt set off in 1st gear but more like 2nd or 3rd. However if I hit the go pedal hard, it does change down and then goes thru the gears as you woukd expect. Ive never owned a Merc before but Ive had loads of auto's and never seen this before.....

A 60s/70s Rover P5B set off in 2nd gear too ......

 

[LostKiwi]

My 500SL starts off in second unless I nail it off the line. The E Class and SL500 will only start in second if its in Winter mode (Comfort mode in later cars).

 

[mercedes13156]

You should have a button next to gear shift that says C and S.
It is probably in C (Comfort) mode which selects 2nd gear starts.
Press that button once to change the gearbox to S (Sport) and youll find it will set off in 1st gear.
It should be indicated on the dash which mode you are in.

On my last C Class with the 722.6 gearbox, I discovered that the mode selector on the gearbox didn't work and it was stuck in "C". I lifted the gaiter and cover off and discovered the little three pin plug that goes into the back of the switch had come out. I put it back in (a bit of a faff because you have to use long nose pliers) and it all worked fine after that.

 

[Srdl]

Thank you for that, I'll give it a try tomorrow. Out of interest, does Sport mode do anything else to the car besides affecting gear changes?

No.

Whilst "No" is probably correct for your car, on my 2010 E Coupe the S button also changes the steering and suspension settings

PS welcome to the forum!

 

[Paul1948]

One other change is that the reverse ratio also changes to be slightly lower, on my S class S mode also gives better fuel economy around town.

 

[Naraic]

Whilst "No" is probably correct for your car, on my 2010 E Coupe the S button also changes the steering and suspension settings

PS welcome to the forum!

But but...we weren't talking about your car, or my car.

 

[Srdl]

But but...we weren't talking about your car, or my car.

But... others following this thread may have different cars as well so the comment was more for their benefit than anything else