Reset Transmission Adaptive Learning

jbanks15 · Jul 20, 2013

This procedure is all over our forum (and other forums).
It does work as I use it occasionally (like yesterday).
Posting and making a sticky for new members.

What it does? in a nutshell, it resets the ECU/TCU's learned detection of throttle inputs, effectively re-establishing the 0% and 100% pedal travel positions. , ie. quick rabbit starts as opposed to slow takeoffs. it gets used to how you drive.

R171:
If you want instant throttle response, you can have it for free.
With the engine off, turn the key to position 2 (don't start it.)
Press the throttle pedal all the way to the floor past the kick down click.
Hold it down for about 30 seconds.
Take your foot off the pedal and take the key out.
Wait 5 seconds, and start the car.
I bet you notice the change in response immediately.

For r170:
From Livefreeordie:Works for the R170's also. The only difference is keep pedal to the floor then remove the key.

R172: should work based on users, follow R171 steps.

randombloke · Jul 20, 2013

does this work across all models?

jbanks15 · Jul 20, 2013

The threads mention the 55 and his 99 c280. others will chime in if they had it work. It worked on my previous 05 slk 350

Alex 3 · Sep 2, 2021

It has worked on pretty much all 13 MB cars I have had but I say that with a caveat. I have never had a manual transmission.

Livefreeordie · Jul 20, 2013

Works for the R170's also. The only difference is keep pedal to the floor then remove the key.

thegadge · Aug 2, 2013

Thanks for the info will try it when I get home

Thegadge

slew rate · Aug 5, 2013

I had a 2004 Dodge Ram pick-up truck that this also worked with. Seeing as how Daimler owned Chrysler for a bit and the Ram had a Mercedes transmission the option to reset the adaptive tranny would be similar if not the same. I will try it this morning when I go in to the office and let you know if I notice a difference

slew rate · Aug 7, 2013

Adaptive Tranny reset

Hello,

I performed the tranny reset, as described n this forum, 2 days ago. I noticed some improvement with firmer up shifting and quicker firmer downshifting. The most noticeable change is when I manually select the first gear and let the car shift itself up through the range.

I would like to know if others are willing to try this and post their results here.

Slew Rate

Spudmuffin · Aug 7, 2013

I've tried it 3 times, did not do very much (!!) at all.

Gazchaz · Nov 30, 2021

Hello Spudmuffin, but if you drive like your local vicar, and then do the reset, and then drive like your local vicar.... you wont notice a change!?.

etyu · Aug 7, 2013

Tried once, minimal change in behaviour.

bac · Aug 8, 2013

Made a big difference with my car but then I had an ECU remap done at the same time...

royalpar1 · Aug 8, 2013

I wonder if we take it to the dealer for a service and tell them to check the ECU and perhaps flash it, if we wouldnt be able to squeak a little more from the car? Would the dealer be able to do it or would they only be able to use factory flash?

animajazz · Sep 3, 2013

Anyone done this on a 200k R171?
Can it be done anyone?
(car under bodyshop can't try...)
Thanks
A.

bac · Sep 4, 2013

animajazz said:
Anyone done this on a 200k R171?
Can it be done anyone?

This seems to work (with a few minor variations in procedure) across a fair range of MB products so I don't see why not...

Cheers,
Brian

jbanks15 · Sep 4, 2013

Agreed! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

oldmercman · Jan 17, 2014

Why does the 'adaptive learning' need to be re-set? What would have upset it? As most critics have observed the Merc. auto box IS slow & very last century ( my '13 auto sequential Audi was MUCH better)

jbanks15 · Jan 17, 2014

as far as i have observed, things like stop and go traffic jams. someone else driving your car and it learning that person's behavior.

others will chime in. I reset it about every 6 months just because

DAVIETHESCAFF · Jan 17, 2014

I assume different driving styles, winter to summer, will probably have an effect. I'll try this out with Mabel when I get home.

Deafy · Jan 17, 2014

I'm confused (nothing new there). I thought consensus was reached that the soft reset only worked on 5g transmissions and only a long battery disconnect worked on 7g?

There's so much mystery regarding the workings of adaptive trannys. Why the hell can't Mercedes make all the parameters clear??

randombloke · Jan 17, 2014

Has anyone asked on AMG PL to see if they will give up the information?

jimmylarkin · Dec 6, 2014

Actually yes. Recently the subject of the adaptive transmission was discussed at AMG Lounge. Here is short version:

someone said:
For the older models which don't have S+, S++, and the gazillion transmission options, does revving the engine in neutral trick the transmission into thinking you're driving aggressively, or do you have to be in drive? Just curious how it determines your "driving style".

someone said:
Apparently based on your first 40 shift points after a reset.

AMG said:
We talked to our specialists for the transmissions and there is no possibility to reset the transmission.

Even though you can find on many internet platforms advices how to do a reset, in fact they are only activations of the dynamometer mode for older vehicles.

However, this mode does not reset the transmission settings. Our modern transmissions adapt permanently to your driving style.

someone said:
I got a new car that had to be run-in and it was my first high power car so I drove it very gently and quite slow. Are you saying that my transmission adapted to me being a slug on the road? How it will then react once I started using the car "properly"?

AMG said:
I will ask for some clarification on this. I think what they are trying to say is that it is constantly adapting not that once it is set that it stops learning.

AMG said:
Sorry for the confusion. We can confirm the post of the Chief Editor. The transmission is constantly adapting.

The full thread, if you have access to the lounge, is here Transmission adaptive logic

---

Alejocar · Feb 5, 2014

Yes I believe it is.

LukeM · Jul 12, 2014

Worked for me. 05 SLK 350

Sweet04 · Aug 31, 2014

Sounds like this changes the stall speed(rpm, amount of slippage) of the torque converter, especially after I read how a MOPAR guy did this to his wife's Mercedes. I recently sold an '07 Subaru that had three driving styles, changed with a knob on the console. That changed the stall, speed of the converter for sure. Kept the rpm's high after a shift and of course just accelerated much quicker. Nice easy "mod".

Are shift kits or, valve body kits (mods) available for these Mercedes transmissions? I read the 5 speed in the SLK32's shifted "35 percent quicker".... yeah, quicker than what:wink: I am sure the valve bodies could be modified, just need a schematic/drawing and a valve body put into the hands of an experienced tranny guy. Even 35 percent quicker the auto, makers think the consumer wants shifts that are somewhat soft and not tire chirping quick. These transmissions lock up in all but 1st gear so in order to shift they have to unlock milli seconds before the shift, then shift and relock. If anyone has an old tranny around check into, having a tranny guy look into what would be needed for quicker shifts, bring them the valve body after checking around. maybe there is already a valve body mod listed online or shift kit available?
A google search showed that valve body mods are available for both the 5-speed and the 7- speed trannies, just checked for Mercedes auto valve body mod(s) for quicker shifts.

Quick note to Davie, contentment beats happiness hands down. It does not depend upon external criteria but is an internal reaction empowered by the Spirit. Yielding can be the difficult part.

ThinkRob · Oct 3, 2014

Yeah, I don't think this is TCU re-adaptation. AFAIK, this just mucks with throttle response (if it does anything...)

Re-adapting the TCU requires STAR.

tinySLK · Oct 26, 2014

My coworker has a 2002 E320 that the transmission could not shift beyond the 4th speed. He kept trying the procedure (about 20 times in 30 days) and now the problem fixed. Don't know if the procedure worked or just coincidence.

nsaleem · Dec 11, 2014

I tried it on my Canadian 2007 SLK350 last night and it worked. It was an immediate and noticeable difference. I bought the car a couple of months ago and I guess it was adjusted to the previous driving style. The biggest difference is that the car now downshifts immediately with a slight tap of the gas pedal. I was almost putting the pedal to the floor to get that downshift.

Thanks.

93041 · Dec 11, 2014

Hi all

Looks like the consensus is that it works - will try it on 'Dolly' R170 200K.

Brooksito · Jan 19, 2015

Hi,

I have a 2002 SLK 230 and I used a similar trick - inserting key to position one, pressing gas for 5 sec then switching ignition off and removing key followed by foot off. Was experiencing a loss of power before and it appears to have made a wee bit of a difference but now my engine diagnostic light has come on. I was wondering if the rest steps I did were wrong and sent an error code. Would using the reset method recommended on this thread power up my car properly to factory spec and switch off my engine diagnostic light? The car is 800miles overdue a major service - perhaps that is why it switched on?

Any help would be appreciated

C

El_Toro_33809 · Jan 19, 2015

Brooksito said:
Hi,

I have a 2002 SLK 230 and I used a similar trick - inserting key to position one, pressing gas for 5 sec then switching ignition off and removing key followed by foot off. Was experiencing a loss of power before and it appears to have made a wee bit of a difference but now my engine diagnostic light has come on. I was wondering if the rest steps I did were wrong and sent an error code. Would using the reset method recommended on this thread power up mcy car properly to factory spec and switch off my engine diagnostic light? The car is 800miles overdue a major service - perhaps that is why it switched on?

Any help would be appreciated

C

Welcome to the forum. Have you run a scanner to see what code it has thrown? I wouldn't think that the reset would have caused it. Was it immediately showing the first time you started it after the reset?

Please complete your profile so others know where you live, etc.. There may be someone in your area that could assist you in person.

Tim

Reset Transmission Adaptive Learning

Our Vendors

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities