5-speed E320 automatic transmission

[mpenagos]

My 1996 E320 5-speed automatic transmission is not downshifting normally when I drive off in the morning and for the first 1 or 2 km, while the gearbox oil warms up, I guess. It drives as if it was in 1 (the RPMs go high for not downshifting).

After a mile or two, and for the rest of the day, it works normal.

I checked the gearbox oil level and it's OK. No bumps or hits are found on the gearbox housing.

Can anyone share a similar experience and suggest a solution? The car just turned 40,000 km last week.

Thanks to you all.

 

[dieselman]

I think you mean the gearbox is not upshifting rather than not downshifting.
This sounds normal as it keeps the car in low gear to warm up the catalytic converter faster.