Mercedes-Benz creates high class cars, but a common issue that Mercedes seems to struggle with are problems with their gear selectors. This issue is something that can easily be solved by a trained mechanic who specializes in this brand.

Simply put, your car would not be able to function normally without a working gear selector. This important component allows you to select gears in an automatic car. Most of us know the acronym PRNDL for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low gear. In a manual transmission vehicle, the gears use a shifter, but automatic transmissions use the selector.

A malfunctioning gear selector puts both your and other people’s lives at risk. If your gear selector is not working, you may find yourself stuck in park, unable to reverse, or without the ability to switch out of drive and into park. If the gears slip out of position while driving, this could be very dangerous. Gear selector issues require a tow to your trusted Mercedes professionals who know how to repair this problem.

Common Reasons for Gear Selector Issues

There are many types of problems that your gear selector may have. Faulty pumps, inappropriate levels of transmission oil, and other malfunctions or damage can all lead to issues that only get worse over time.

It is also common that these issues are caused by simple wear and tear, and that there is not much to protect this from happening. The best thing you can do with your car is to take it for regular servicing and allow experts to consistently make sure everything is running smoothly.  This is one of the biggest benefits of adhering to a consistent routine maintenance schedule. Your mechanic can find any issues early on and prevent a gear selector problem from springing up and causing you a lot of frustration and the cost of a tow and repair.

Signs of Gear Selector Issues

You may find that shifting gears feel rougher than usual. This is a common symptom of a problem with your gear selector, as this is a signal that the selector is struggling to function properly.

If you hear a grinding noise while shifting gears, your selector may be sending false signals. Gears are supposed to shift easily, especially in automatic cars. If your car is making concerning noises every time you shift, it may be time for you to bring your car in to be serviced.

If it feels like you have to use strength to force your car to select your gears, it is highly likely that your gear selector is malfunctioning. Shifting gears should be quick and smooth, and any sign of hesitation from your car is a telltale sign that something is not working properly.

Limp Mode

When your Mercedes goes into “limp mode”, your car is protecting itself from further damage by limiting you to one gear. Unfortunately, staying in this limp mode for too long can lead to even more damage in the long run, which is why it’s important to bring your car into a garage as soon as you suspect that something is wrong. You may even decide to pull off the road to a safe location and call for a tow. This can prevent further damage to your Mercedes, which is a smart move.

The entire gearbox is responsible for a car shifting into limp mode. You should never try to fix your gearbox on your own, as this can be highly dangerous or cause permanent damage to your car’s system.

Masters European & Japanese Auto Repair

If you fear that your gear selector is malfunctioning, you should immediately bring your car in to be serviced by expert mechanics. At Masters European & Japanese Auto Repair, we proudly serve the Corte Madera, Larkspur, Sausalito, Tiburon, and Mill Valley, CA areas. Our technicians are specially trained in European & Japanese cars, and are fully prepared to help with anything you need.

Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your next servicing with mechanics you can trust. Your Mercedes will be running as smooth as usual, and you will be able to return to the sophistication and performance of the brand you fell in love with originally. Call us today.