Right, I am out in it again and think I have got the hang of it, I am pre selecting a gear, the gearbox is then selecting a different inappropriate gear, I am putting in the clutch pedal, waiting 15 mins, slowly release the pedal, and… Click click click click, bugger!! Ok count to ten! Stopped in the middle of a junction blocking traffic, put in the clutch, select a gear release the clutch, and… Nothing, bugger still in neutral!, ok traffic now mounting up, horns blowing. Right select a gear, clutch down, wait 15 mins, very very slowly release the clutch, shut eyes, cross fingers, start to pray… It’s moving!!! See it’s easy!
Phantom Mark:
I agree the new fully auto Mercs are a nice enough box, but they are still blighted by poor software control system, for example try cruising down a nice level calm A road at 40mph on cc, 11,12,11,12,11,12. Damned thing can’t make up its mind, a least you can flick into manual mode to get around that tho, a long way behind all the other makes in that respect.
Sounds like you have a problem with that mate, I’d get it looked at. They only problem I have with mine is it chases into top cog too quickly when empty. Fine when loaded but have to use power mode when empty
It’s been a while since I was out in an Actros, but as I recall you must push the clutch pedal right down to avoid the clicking noise, which is a warning that the gears are not in mesh in the box as the clutch has not been fully disengaged, and if you have the exhaust brake on, it will only want to move half a gear (+ and - in the display, I think) each time.
Phantom Mark:
I agree the new fully auto Mercs are a nice enough box, but they are still blighted by poor software control system, for example try cruising down a nice level calm A road at 40mph on cc, 11,12,11,12,11,12. Damned thing can’t make up its mind, a least you can flick into manual mode to get around that tho, a long way behind all the other makes in that respect.
Sounds like you have a problem with that mate, I’d get it looked at. They only problem I have with mine is it chases into top cog too quickly when empty. Fine when loaded but have to use power mode when empty
Hmm not sure it’s a problem, had exactly the same issue in 2 or more different units from Brake Brothers Grantham travelling across the A52 towards Bingham, in case your not familiar a fair amount of wide open flat sections with no reason to bounce between gears, at least 2 of them were 11 plate units with less than 175k on the clock.
The clicking is telling you pulled the clutch up before the box had a chance to complete the shift, the arse of it being you never know if it’s gonna pull one or more gears, and depending how many it pulls depends how long you need the clutch down, that’s why it can be so stressfull (maybe less of an issue after reading some of the tips here in this thread)
Another tip: when 1st vehicle waiting at traffic lights. When you’re about to get a green, you can preselect the gear without clutch whilst stationary. It will hold it for (I forget) maybe 30 seconds. The dash display wil flash. When you want to go just dip the clutch.
Its easy just hold the right button in and push the lever forwards and go up in whole gears its what i do and mine pulls like a train for a 460.Forget about the half gears unless you are on a hill not only is it a waste of time but also fuel.I reckon half the drivers cant be bothered to find out how to drive them the best way
Bud143:
Its easy just hold the right button in and push the lever forwards and go up in whole gears its what i do and mine pulls like a train for a 460.Forget about the half gears unless you are on a hill not only is it a waste of time but also fuel.I reckon half the drivers cant be bothered to find out how to drive them the best way
Agree with your last sentence. Its a damned site easier than stirring soup with a stiff stick. (ooh, err mrs).
Of course you can also use the flap and go up one and a half gears at a time. Grand when light/empty.
Mercs were one fitted (a long time ago) with a 16spd ZF gearbox, then it all went Clicky Clicky and they have been junk from about 1989 until the present day. Tip don,t use the second stage of the exhaust break you run the risk of the engine falling out.
Bud143:
Its easy just hold the right button in and push the lever forwards and go up in whole gears its what i do and mine pulls like a train for a 460.Forget about the half gears unless you are on a hill not only is it a waste of time but also fuel.I reckon half the drivers cant be bothered to find out how to drive them the best way
Agree with your last sentence. Its a damned site easier than stirring soup with a stiff stick. (ooh, err mrs).
Of course you can also use the flap and go up one and a half gears at a time. Grand when light/empty.
You can use the flap to go up in 1/2, but you can click it 4 times to go up 2 gears when you press the clutch
I think renaults softwear is better than volvos.Its the same box i know but i find the renault picks the gears better especially coming down.We have bought to m.a.n’s and they are still ■■■■.
OVLOV JAY:
I don’t like the man either. We have some drivers here that love them but they ain’t my cup of tea
I find them the most comfortable truck, and the XXL with the subwoofer is good if you do happen to get a back ache. Also I like the huge windscreen and the electric blind (Stralis years ago had this too, as did the old MAN XXL)
The Merc (with clutch) was probably my favourite all rounder except for the crap drinks holder. MAN a close 2nd. Volvo locked me out of cab, so don’t like them no more, Scumia give me back ache within an hour, never liked them. DAF have a good horn, this is all I can say about them, well, the bunk is comfy in the XF too.
Via choice i would have in no particular Volvo,Scania, Daf or Renault.Hate M.A.N with a passion ours are 440 bhp and wont hold top on cruise at 40 then they are up and down up and down all the time because they dropped them to a 9 litre so they dont need adblue.Mercs are comfy but apart from that they arent that good.Mine is rubbish on traction and if you are on a wet corner or roundabout it wants to send you straight on.Iveco i would never drive one of them in a month of sundays.
Bud143:
Via choice i would have in no particular Volvo,Scania, Daf or Renault.Hate M.A.N with a passion ours are 440 bhp and wont hold top on cruise at 40 then they are up and down up and down all the time because they dropped them to a 9 litre so they dont need adblue.Mercs are comfy but apart from that they arent that good.Mine is rubbish on traction and if you are on a wet corner or roundabout it wants to send you straight on.Iveco i would never drive one of them in a month of sundays.
What tires are on your merc? Mine is on bridgestones and sticks to the road like ■■■■ to a blanket. Continentals are crap for traction though
