Mercedes Not Going Into Gear? 5 Reasons & Solutions to Fix It

Having trouble putting your Mercedes into gear??? You are right to be concerned… This behavior of your vehicle simply indicates that there is something off with the transmission system that needs your immediate attention. This blog post highlights some of the major factors that can cause gear-shifting trouble in a vehicle. The discussion also includes some specific solutions to this issue. So, please read through.

Here’s Why Your Car May Hesitate to Go into Gear

Explanation #1- Transmission fluid issue

Often it is the transmission fluid that is at the root of most gear-shifting troubles in your Mercedes. Look… transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your vehicle's transmission system. From lubricating remote parts of the gearbox to aiding the overall gear-shifting process; transmission fluid has a multitude of functions.

If it drains out because of a leak in the system or a cracked seal, it would have a significant impact on the overall gear-shifting process. And yes… you may find it hard to put your Mercedes into gear because of it.

Explanation #2- TCM issue

TCM or Transmission Control Module- as the name implies- is an essential part of a vehicle’s transmission unit. It is because of this module that gear shifting in modern vehicles has become easier and smoother than ever before. It is basically a computer unit that regulates gear shifting so that the vehicle’s performance can be optimized.

If for some reason it malfunctions or one of the sensors it depends on fails, the vehicle will have difficulty putting into gear. So, if you are having trouble putting your Mercedes into gear, there is a good chance that its TCM is at fault.

Explanation #3- Defective linkage

There are complex mechanisms at work behind the scenes when it comes to gear shifting. When you change the position of the gear shift knob, several things happen simultaneously to put the vehicle into the corresponding gear. If for some reason the linkage involved in the shifting mechanism breaks, no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to put your vehicle into the desired gear.

Luckily, if you think there is something wrong with your vehicle's gearbox shifting linkage there are signs you can look out for.

Explanation #4- Flaw in shift lock

Shift lock, as you all probably know, is a safety mechanism that prevents the driver from shifting out of the park without pressing the brake. If for some reason it malfunctions, you will find it difficult to put your Mercedes into the desired gear. There are all sorts of other issues that your vehicle will run into if there is indeed something off with its shift lock mechanism.

If left unchecked, shift lock problems can get worse, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. So, if your Mercedes’ shift lock mechanism is not working the way it should, you better reach out to a service center to get the issue diagnosed.

Explanation #5- Deep mechanical flaw

Just like the engine the transmission system is a very complex system; made up of many different parts. For your vehicle's transmission system to work smoothly and efficiently, all of its parts must be able to perform their intended functions. If even one of these parts fails, the functioning of your vehicle's transmission system will be negatively affected. When this happens, it will be very difficult to put the vehicle into a specific gear.

So, What’s The Solution???

Look… If you are having difficulty putting your Mercedes into the gear you want, it simply means that it is time to visit the nearest European auto service center. There are all sorts of reasons why your vehicle might be having such trouble. And, if you don't want things to get so bad that they cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, you have to react quickly. And, help from an experienced professional can be very useful for you in this regard.

In Short…

It is because of the transmission that you get to control the torque output of your vehicle. If for some reason it malfunctions and you are unable to put your Mercedes into the gear you want, you must take immediate action and find out what exactly is happening with your vehicle and why it is behaving this way.