Automatic box - gear change

[Eric4]

My car is a C180 kompressor 2006. When starting it revs to about 1200 then drops back to 1000 idlling and down to about 800 when I select drive. Is that normal to rev quite so fast when initially started? I would think a more 'gentle' tick-over? Is it better practice to wait for the revs to fall off or select drive and 'force' them down?
When being driven from startup, lets say about once or twice a week, it does not change up! Is this possibly low oil or something more sinister, like a 'control card' in the box?
Are 1 & 2 the 'same problem'......Thanks for your time....cya

 

[Arzaam]

on a cold start 1200 revs are normal, its to warm up the engine faster, you may wait a minute if you want to for the revs to come slightly down but thats normal on a cold start. also on a cold start it may delay shifting to second gear but should still shift up eventually again, I have a w203 as well, so on a cold day and cold start it won't shift to second in a parking lot, while i am going slowly whereas normally it would stay in second but as soon as I get on the road it will. you should nevertheless check the gearbox oil level if you have never done so, and any history of gearbox service, if not might be a good time to change its oil.

 

[Yugguy]

Start the engine, give it a few seconds to get going, and then drive off.

 

[Eric4]

on a cold start 1200 revs are normal, its to warm up the engine faster, you may wait a minute if you want to for the revs to come slightly down but thats normal on a cold start. also on a cold start it may delay shifting to second gear but should still shift up eventually again, I have a w203 as well, so on a cold day and cold start it won't shift to second in a parking lot, while i am going slowly whereas normally it would stay in second but as soon as I get on the road it will. you should nevertheless check the gearbox oil level if you have never done so, and any history of gearbox service, if not might be a good time to change its oil.

Thanks for your reply......I'll follow up advice.....cya

 

[Eric4]

Start the engine, give it a few seconds to get going, and then drive off.

Hi and thanks for your reply...cya

 

[kid-jensen]

If you have the option of going up hill or down hill when starting off on cold mornings, take the downhill option.

The 'box is much more willing to change-up when lightly loaded... If you 're going uphill, it will want to stay in the lower gear.

 

[Wighty]

The auto boxes hold the lower gear in order to warm up quicker , it is much more noticeable in the cold when it holds low gears much longer . If you set the gearbox to S or C does it make a difference , because the C setting starts off in 2nd .
But as above check the ATF level and Merc recommend ATF oil and filter change at 37500 miles . A lot of members here keep up that regular change . £200 ATF service verses £4000 gearbox