I have a Mercedes 300E 2.6 from 1991, 240K miles. When I turn the key and start driving the car right away, it takes too long to change shift to second. If I turn the key and wait 5 min, the car runs fine. 3 months ago I changed the A/T fluid which was not a Mercedes brand (Dextron 3). Could that be it, or is it another problem.
Thanks,

I could be wrong, but I think it is having to do with vacuum building up. My '91 300E w/ 192K does the very same thing. I just take it easy for the first mile or so... Especially does this in cold weather. I'm pretty sure this is very normal...

-GH

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So, there is no solution for this problem. If anyone elso has an opinion, please let me know.

Thanks for the reply nissan......

What do you mean exactly by "it takes too long to change shift to second" Does the actual gear change take too long or does it just keep it in 1st gear longer (higher revs) than normal?There is an intended delayed upshift with a cold engine. The higher revs are supposed to heat up the catatlytic convertor faster. Could that be what you are referring to?

LIKE "ace" has suggested...ALL USA version MB gas powered cars starting in 1990 with auto transmissions have UP-SHIFT delay to allow catalyst warm-up.

100% normal!

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