The Mercedes-Benz has earned its place as one of the top rated automobiles in the market today because of its excellent performance and quality engineering that ensure the comfort of the vehicle’s occupants. However, it is not unheard of that the vehicles under this brand sometimes develop unexpected issues. A common issue that many Mercedes- Benz models develop today is problems with the gear selector.

The gear selector is a part of the transmission system, which is responsible from controlling the car’s movement. The gear selector, just as the name suggests, is a device that is used to select and change gears. The Mercedes has an automated gear selector as opposed to the gear stick in manual vehicles. Mercedes drivers enjoy comfortable and smooth gear shifts that also form part of the vehicle’s appeal. When the gear selector develops issues, this smooth transition is significantly hampered and driving can quickly become difficult, if not impossible.

Causes of Gear Selector Issues

There are a number of reasons that have been identified as the potential causes of these gear selection problems in Mercedes-Benz. One of these reasons is a malfunction in the valve body. The valve body is the component within the transmission system that makes it possible for the transmission fluid to flow at the right pressure. It is this pressure that enables gear changes. A problem in the valve body will automatically affect the pressure in the hydraulic fluid and this will in turn cause difficulty in gear changes.

Another common reason for gear selection issues is wear and tear that occurs in the different components that make up the transmission system. There are a number of cables and linkages that run through the transmission system. All these smaller components are prone to wear and tear over time, and when they start to fall apart, your gear shifts will no longer be as seamless as they ought to be.

Symptoms of Gear Selector Issues

Considering the important role that the gear selector plays in the vehicle, it is highly unlikely that you fail to notice when it develops a problem. Some of the obvious signs that will indicate that it has issues include:

Slipping gears

You may notice that when you are accelerating, the car will suddenly drop to a lower gear unexpectedly. This is most likely a problem in the pressure of the transmission or a faulty component in the transmission system.

Rough or hesitant gear changes

The gear changes in the Mercedes should be smooth and easy, but when the gear selector has a problem, the car will experience a jarring sensation when the engine tries to engage the gears. In addition, the car might experience delays where the gears don’t become engaged immediately. If for instance you shift to a higher gear, the car might continue at current gear and speed for a brief moment before actually accelerating. Difficulty getting into gear when reversing or when in neutral is also a sign that the gear selector has a problem.

Unusual noises

These noises are common when the smaller components that make up the transmission system start to fall apart. This falling apart is normally caused by friction. When the transmission fluid levels are low, the friction causes premature wear of these parts, causing them to fall apart. This then causes the clunking or clicking noises that you may hear when you try to change gears.

What to Do

Regularly servicing your Mercedes-Benz will help prevent the gear selector from developing issues prematurely. This preventive measure does not mean that the inevitable wear and tear won’t catch up to the transmission parts, but it can slow down the process. It is highly advisable to take your car into a mechanic shop to have any gear related problems diagnosed and corrected as soon as the symptoms start to show.

Since the Mercedes is a high-performance luxury car, it could be detrimental to take it just anywhere; instead, you should try to take it into a reliable Mercedes-Benz repair shop with certified technicians who have experience with this brand. Das European Autohaus is a reputable auto shop with vast experience in handling foreign luxury brands. We are always available on call to Mercedes-Benz owners in Spring and Houston, TX, and as soon as you reach out to us we’ll happily schedule an appointment and sort out your problem.