Hello everyone:
Forgive my question, but I have read the threads related to gear changes, and have only become more confused- some say they 'all do that' and others say people say its on its way out, others say the vacuum system is bad. I'm not too familiar with automatics, and am new to Mercedes.
I recently purchased a 1988 300se, and notice that it doesn't shift when I want it to- it seems to stay in low gears too long- like to 2500 or 3000rpm, but i can make it upshift by lifting off the throttle. I have it set on E, but don't notice too much difference on S. I am not sure if this is normal, if it is a vacuum leak, or if I need to be looking for a new gearbox. The car has been very well maintained by its one previous owner, so its not an old banger which has been run to death. It doesn't clonk or slip at all when changing or when I shift it into gear. The fluid is topped up, and is red, and doesn't smell.
The past few service records have included a gearbox top up, but I can't see where its leaking from.
I could be imagining this, and am used to driving slushy american automatics (I moved to the UK three years ago). But, I am a bit paranoid, as most of the american cars I have owned have blown their gearbox after I bought them. I'm assuming I have a chemical reaction which kills them- or just bad luck.
*also, what fluid do I use to top it up with? Is it Dexron or MB special fluid?
Sorry for the question, I'm sure you've heard it all before.
Thanks,
Brian
Forgive my question, but I have read the threads related to gear changes, and have only become more confused- some say they 'all do that' and others say people say its on its way out, others say the vacuum system is bad. I'm not too familiar with automatics, and am new to Mercedes.
I recently purchased a 1988 300se, and notice that it doesn't shift when I want it to- it seems to stay in low gears too long- like to 2500 or 3000rpm, but i can make it upshift by lifting off the throttle. I have it set on E, but don't notice too much difference on S. I am not sure if this is normal, if it is a vacuum leak, or if I need to be looking for a new gearbox. The car has been very well maintained by its one previous owner, so its not an old banger which has been run to death. It doesn't clonk or slip at all when changing or when I shift it into gear. The fluid is topped up, and is red, and doesn't smell.
The past few service records have included a gearbox top up, but I can't see where its leaking from.
I could be imagining this, and am used to driving slushy american automatics (I moved to the UK three years ago). But, I am a bit paranoid, as most of the american cars I have owned have blown their gearbox after I bought them. I'm assuming I have a chemical reaction which kills them- or just bad luck.
*also, what fluid do I use to top it up with? Is it Dexron or MB special fluid?
Sorry for the question, I'm sure you've heard it all before.
Thanks,
Brian
