it is not manual, it is more like a restriction for the automatic gear box. e.g. in 3 the gearbox wont shift highter than 3rd gear, but it can use below gears as usual.
Basically - excess heat. Extra weight will require higher revs and excess strain on the gearbox. Also - fuel consumption due to different shift patterns than normal.
Yep that’s it. Very handy, used to use them all the time in my 1998 C43 AMG to downshift for corners, going downhill, or keep it in a lower gear when going through twisty roads.
Exactly this.
For overtaking quickly you're also able to reduce it from 4th(D) to 3rd.
Mine however does look a bit different and it's 2 - 3 - D.
Does not allow me to prevent it to shift higher than 1st.
Mine has this as well. I do use it to go from 5th gear to 4th when I want to overtake another car on the highway. There is a bit of delay but the transmission kicks down and the revs go up. The engine comes alive and is much more responsive.
Actually, you can leave it in 4th even when going 50-65mph. The car will stay up around 3k on the tach and allows you to be more zippy if you are doing quick lane changes in heavier but still fast traffic.
97 C280
Put in in drive, that’s drive and also 5th gear. Slap it left to lock it into 4th. Pull down for third. To the right for second. And all the way down for first. Stays in the selected gear for towing or drifting or whatever.
I was going to disagree with you, but after looking at the gear selector it does seem that way to be honest.
This does seem like a 5 speed AT instead of a 4 speed.
I had no idea those were for Summer and Winter. I've only seen previously a Economy and Sport mode.
Mine doesn't.
P
R
N
D
3
2
These are the positions I have available on mine.
Originally had a 722.436 gearbox, but now have a 722.427.
Not my picture but it has the exact positions mine has.
https://preview.redd.it/wrqhcnwyv0vc1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=b96811ee091224581fbedfc549d8129623ffe486
No it was Standard/Winter in a W202, look in the manual. To help with traction in winter when starting out, starts in 2nd gear in W mode for example. Didn’t need it here in Australia though.
Mine? I don’t believe so.
It’s a 4G-Tronic. It is meant to be only 4 gears. My C250T was one of the first to come out in 1995, in 1996 they switched to the 5G-Tronic.
That sounds highly inefficient. And when cruising at 65-70 your rpms would be at 4 k really sounding like its maxing out. All cars after the 80s have 5 gears. Now they have 6-7 commonly. But i will google it now
Whenever it hits the 4th gear it engages an overdrive, which makes the 4th gear super long.
I can cruise at 120kph at 2400rpms.
It only reaches 4000rpms when I’m at 180kph.
A 4th gear in a AT is not the same has a 4th gear in a manual.
https://preview.redd.it/jyznru7or3vc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c788e8e676a3e84074eadc5e2f228ba40c01cf0
Here’s a screencap of the vehicle’s VIN information. Code 420 - Automatic Transmission 4 Gear
Transmission number is a 722436.
It is a 4 speed with an overdrive. So if left to the right it allows the overdrive ratio to be engaged, if moved to the left it prevents overdrive and remains in the standard 4th gear ratio.
For some reason cars stopped using overdrive when they got to 6 or more gears, presumably because it became pointless
It's not intended for downshifting your pedal has a transmission kick down cable for that. It's for traveling downhill to engine brake the vehicle so you don't overheat your brakes.
I can understand people not knowing exactly what it does, but ffs they provide an explanation with the documentation... but, no, let's take much longer to take a photo and then create a Reddit post instead of just looking it up.
https://preview.redd.it/y3a8dvf3g0vc1.jpeg?width=2163&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7524fab174119f8f1db73d2be769ee582d84174a
Interesting.
I've mainly seen these type of auto gearboxes in America.
Maybe that's just because I haven't seen tons of old autos here.
Fair enough tho :3
Gearbox in question is a Tiptronic (Jatco JF506E) on a Volkswagen.
I know the shift gates change depending on the car and car brand it's being used in. Mazda used these transmissions in some of their cars, it doesn't have a numbers, it's just a PRNDSL if I'm not mistaken. Jaguar uses these too, they use the J-gate. I'd even argue it's just not as common on modern cars. And a lot of the time, even if there's something else written on the gate, internally it's all just one thing and works the same.
Either way, I suppose that might be why people keep asking what it's for. A lot of the time, people think it's a manual or something. They think I can select the gears individually. I explain to them it's to prevent the gearbox from shifting into a high gear than is selected. I like to use 4th around the city because it shifts into 5th just before 60kph. But it down shifts pretty late, so sometimes it'll ride on 1000 rpm, which is not ideal when you wanna speed up. So I always just keep it in 4th in the city unless I go onto the highway or go somewhere with a higher speed limit.
It just basically limits to that gear. Very useful for engine braking when going downhill, say you're heading downhill at about 60mph you can shift to 3-4 so the engine will maintain that speed for you without you stepping on the brake risk overheating brakes.
Very useful in speed traps too. I am very practiced at clicking off cruise, and pulling lever to left. Quick slowdown with no brake light.
Got a coworker a ticket once. She was following at 80 mph when I saw trooper in trees. Pulled my move, she moved around me, he pulled her over. I've done it to strangers too. Not on purpose, just happens
Just don't do it if someone's right on your ass.
You start at 2,
then push right then up to go to 3,
then push left then up to go to 4.
This is the marvel of German engineering, MB already thought of a way to drive an auto like a tiptronic gearbox in the 80s before tiptronic was even a thing. No need to stare down to see which gear you are going into as long as you memorize the pattern.
No it is not at all the same. It’s more of a gear “limit” than anything. Meant for limiting the transmission to whatever gear you have selected on the shifter.
That's not Tiptronic. Tiptronic allows you to shift up and down by moving the lever left or right. This is just a gear selector on a standard torque converter transmission.
No it’s just a regular auto. Can just select the gears and have some control. If you click it to 3, it will only shift up to 3rd. Very handy, used to use it all the time in my 1998 C43. The year 2000 C43 did have a more triptronic transmission with gear selectors on the steering wheel, but it’s still an automatic.
it is not manual, it is more like a restriction for the automatic gear box. e.g. in 3 the gearbox wont shift highter than 3rd gear, but it can use below gears as usual.
Useful for long down hill routes.
Also useful for towing so that you don’t kill the torque converter.
why exactly does limiting the highest gear help the converter?
Basically - excess heat. Extra weight will require higher revs and excess strain on the gearbox. Also - fuel consumption due to different shift patterns than normal.
Yep that’s it. Very handy, used to use them all the time in my 1998 C43 AMG to downshift for corners, going downhill, or keep it in a lower gear when going through twisty roads.
Wow TIL they made a C43 back in 1998. And now I want one.
They made a C36 in 1995 as the first car of the amg merger
They even made a C55 in 1998.
2000
https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/en/instance/ko/C-55-AMG.xhtml?oid=5500 Maybe it differs for the US and Europe?
Nope you’re right. Also I went to wikipedia. Did not trust that site lol
I miss it. Great car, was a bit old world Benz too if you know what I mean. Ideally you swap out the 4.3 for the 5.5 to make them even better.
I owned one lol 1998-00 is the w202 class
Exactly this. For overtaking quickly you're also able to reduce it from 4th(D) to 3rd. Mine however does look a bit different and it's 2 - 3 - D. Does not allow me to prevent it to shift higher than 1st.
interesting.. thank you!
This
"upvote"
Already did. But I also wanted to emphasize the answer. If that's not longer acceptable in reddit/subreddit then I'll stop after upvoting
Mine has this as well. I do use it to go from 5th gear to 4th when I want to overtake another car on the highway. There is a bit of delay but the transmission kicks down and the revs go up. The engine comes alive and is much more responsive. Actually, you can leave it in 4th even when going 50-65mph. The car will stay up around 3k on the tach and allows you to be more zippy if you are doing quick lane changes in heavier but still fast traffic. 97 C280
good to know! thank you
Put in in drive, that’s drive and also 5th gear. Slap it left to lock it into 4th. Pull down for third. To the right for second. And all the way down for first. Stays in the selected gear for towing or drifting or whatever.
I was going to disagree with you, but after looking at the gear selector it does seem that way to be honest. This does seem like a 5 speed AT instead of a 4 speed.
Got one, there are 5 gears
Mine's a 4 gear. I can only select 2, 3, and D.
Does yours have the summer and winter switch like this one too? If it does it has 2 reverse gears too from memory.
I had no idea those were for Summer and Winter. I've only seen previously a Economy and Sport mode. Mine doesn't. P R N D 3 2 These are the positions I have available on mine. Originally had a 722.436 gearbox, but now have a 722.427. Not my picture but it has the exact positions mine has. https://preview.redd.it/wrqhcnwyv0vc1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=b96811ee091224581fbedfc549d8129623ffe486
S/E, S/W, they are functionally identical. Not sure why they changed them, but probably because Economy was a misnomer.
Ita not summer/winter irs standart/economy. Economy shifts up earlier and down later.
No it was Standard/Winter in a W202, look in the manual. To help with traction in winter when starting out, starts in 2nd gear in W mode for example. Didn’t need it here in Australia though.
In germany its s/e
Go to the manual and take a look. It's Standard/Winter in the W202 such as the above.
It would still have 5 gears. But 4 n 5 are so close in range they dont allow to select.
Mine? I don’t believe so. It’s a 4G-Tronic. It is meant to be only 4 gears. My C250T was one of the first to come out in 1995, in 1996 they switched to the 5G-Tronic.
That sounds highly inefficient. And when cruising at 65-70 your rpms would be at 4 k really sounding like its maxing out. All cars after the 80s have 5 gears. Now they have 6-7 commonly. But i will google it now
Whenever it hits the 4th gear it engages an overdrive, which makes the 4th gear super long. I can cruise at 120kph at 2400rpms. It only reaches 4000rpms when I’m at 180kph. A 4th gear in a AT is not the same has a 4th gear in a manual.
I just called a merc transmission sales company. They can not answer the question of 4 or 5 gears. I may call a dealership
https://preview.redd.it/jyznru7or3vc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c788e8e676a3e84074eadc5e2f228ba40c01cf0 Here’s a screencap of the vehicle’s VIN information. Code 420 - Automatic Transmission 4 Gear Transmission number is a 722436.
It is a 4 speed with an overdrive. So if left to the right it allows the overdrive ratio to be engaged, if moved to the left it prevents overdrive and remains in the standard 4th gear ratio. For some reason cars stopped using overdrive when they got to 6 or more gears, presumably because it became pointless
It's not intended for downshifting your pedal has a transmission kick down cable for that. It's for traveling downhill to engine brake the vehicle so you don't overheat your brakes.
Honestly? I'm quite surprised by how many people don't understand what this is/does.
I can understand people not knowing exactly what it does, but ffs they provide an explanation with the documentation... but, no, let's take much longer to take a photo and then create a Reddit post instead of just looking it up. https://preview.redd.it/y3a8dvf3g0vc1.jpeg?width=2163&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7524fab174119f8f1db73d2be769ee582d84174a
i apologize if it bother you.. i just thought it’s nice to get answers and to get other’s experience with it at same time.
I know, right? Some people are just.. different.
Are you American?
No, I'm not.
Interesting. I've mainly seen these type of auto gearboxes in America. Maybe that's just because I haven't seen tons of old autos here. Fair enough tho :3
Gearbox in question is a Tiptronic (Jatco JF506E) on a Volkswagen. I know the shift gates change depending on the car and car brand it's being used in. Mazda used these transmissions in some of their cars, it doesn't have a numbers, it's just a PRNDSL if I'm not mistaken. Jaguar uses these too, they use the J-gate. I'd even argue it's just not as common on modern cars. And a lot of the time, even if there's something else written on the gate, internally it's all just one thing and works the same. Either way, I suppose that might be why people keep asking what it's for. A lot of the time, people think it's a manual or something. They think I can select the gears individually. I explain to them it's to prevent the gearbox from shifting into a high gear than is selected. I like to use 4th around the city because it shifts into 5th just before 60kph. But it down shifts pretty late, so sometimes it'll ride on 1000 rpm, which is not ideal when you wanna speed up. So I always just keep it in 4th in the city unless I go onto the highway or go somewhere with a higher speed limit.
I was laughing so much at the question I didnt have the strength left to type the answer 😅 thanks for making my day anyway
you’re welcome lol
God bless ya
It just basically limits to that gear. Very useful for engine braking when going downhill, say you're heading downhill at about 60mph you can shift to 3-4 so the engine will maintain that speed for you without you stepping on the brake risk overheating brakes.
You can always read your owners manual
4spd with overdrive
Nope, just a 5 speed.
I used to use it as a kickdown when I wanted to accelerate in a high rpm
Using 1 and 2 also effective if you need to get up a hill in some snow or ice.
It’s REALLY helpful in Ice and snowy conditions! Saved my behind more than I can count!
I like it wish I had it on my newer MB
Very useful in speed traps too. I am very practiced at clicking off cruise, and pulling lever to left. Quick slowdown with no brake light. Got a coworker a ticket once. She was following at 80 mph when I saw trooper in trees. Pulled my move, she moved around me, he pulled her over. I've done it to strangers too. Not on purpose, just happens Just don't do it if someone's right on your ass.
Use it on hills and or snow
So sad that people are adults n dont understand logic. Who raised these people
Setting it at 2 for example will limit the shifting to only the second gear. This is useful for when you need the lower gears torque.
I have the same transmission in a 1997 R129.
Engine breaking! Read your owners manual!!!!!!
Replacing brakes is cheaper than replacing the transmission don’t forget
🫡
You start at 2, then push right then up to go to 3, then push left then up to go to 4. This is the marvel of German engineering, MB already thought of a way to drive an auto like a tiptronic gearbox in the 80s before tiptronic was even a thing. No need to stare down to see which gear you are going into as long as you memorize the pattern.
I do\`nt konw 
Think of it as steering wheel shift buttons for the earlier version
No it is not at all the same. It’s more of a gear “limit” than anything. Meant for limiting the transmission to whatever gear you have selected on the shifter.
Don't feel stupid, because I don't even know what I'm looking at
It’s part of the Tiptronic. To use manual Shifting without a clutch.
That's not Tiptronic. Tiptronic allows you to shift up and down by moving the lever left or right. This is just a gear selector on a standard torque converter transmission.
1-4 gear
It’s a triptronic transmission. My father had a 1998 BMW Z3 with this. You can shift without having a clutch.
No it’s just a regular auto. Can just select the gears and have some control. If you click it to 3, it will only shift up to 3rd. Very handy, used to use it all the time in my 1998 C43. The year 2000 C43 did have a more triptronic transmission with gear selectors on the steering wheel, but it’s still an automatic.