Automatic...three speed or four

[ncooper]

Hello,
I have a 1984 R107 280sl.
It is alleged that the automatic gearbox is four speed.

There are three sets of dots on the speedometer,the last being three at 95mph,implying,I think, that there are three gearchange maximum speeds and therefore four gears.

Using kickdown,the gearbox does indeed change up at 95mph.
The quadrant is marked,from the top, P R D S L and moving from D to S at, for example,50 mph does make the gearbox change down.

The handbook refers only to a four speed automatic.

So why do I ask?
I can only ever hear two gearchanges from rest and if I select position L,the gearbox does not change gear at all,even though the handbook suggests that this will prevent changes above second gear.

I haven't had the car long,so if this is a silly question,please forgive me.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[jberks]

No expert but,
I though the PRNDSL gate was a 3 speed (S=2nd L=1st) whereas the 4 speed was PRND321. Presumably why the 5 & 7 speeds went tiptronic as the gate would have intruded on the rear seat!

 

[simon_wall69]

Some merc boxes pull away in second unless you floor the accelarator. Don't know if this is true of yours or not, as I'm not familiar with the 107s. I'm sure someone can confirm this later.

 

[turbopete]

No expert but,
I though the PRNDSL gate was a 3 speed (S=2nd L=1st) whereas the 4 speed was PRND321. Presumably why the 5 & 7 speeds went tiptronic as the gate would have intruded on the rear seat!

5 speed oned depends where in the D gate you have the gearstick. over to the left side is 5 speed (D) and to the right is 4 speed(4) with 3,2 and1 behind them.

also regarding the question, does the car have a mode switch like the s/w (standard/winter) switch fitted to my car? if so, they usually set off in 2nd in winter mode. mine was stuck in winter mode when i bought it!

 

[ncooper]

Hello,

No,there's no Summer/winter option.
I am quite happy with the way the gearbox performs but this is what the handbook says.....

but not what it appears to do?

Regards,
Nick.

 

[meanie]

The 280 SL was fitted with a 4 speed auto.
as Simon Walls said,they pull off in second unless you floor it.They also pull away in first gear if you select 'L' at standstill.

 

[ncooper]

The 280 SL was fitted with a 4 speed auto.
as Simon Walls said,they pull off in second unless you floor it.They also pull away in first gear if you select 'L' at standstill.

Thank you very much for the explanation,I am still getting to know the car,the more I do,the more I like it and I liked it a lot at first sight.

Regards,
Nick.