Our long-term Mercedes Benz A 220 recently presented some concerning issues with its transmission. We experienced noticeably rough shifts, prompting a service visit to the local Mercedes dealership for a thorough inspection. After leaving the A 220 in their care for two days, we received a detailed report outlining their findings and actions.
The dealer service report confirmed our concerns, stating they were able to replicate the rough shifting issue in both sport and comfort driving modes during 1-2 upshifts at speeds between 15-20 mph on four out of eight attempts. The technicians noted “harsh clutch engagement and shift characteristics.” Utilizing the SDS diagnostic system and a battery charger, they performed a quick test which revealed no current or relevant fault codes related to the transmission issue. Despite finding no specific technical service bulletins (tips documents) related to the problem, and after verifying that the DCT fluid level was within specification, the service team, following the shop foreman’s recommendation, proceeded to perform full basic transmission adaptations. This process aims to re-learn the transmission’s shift and wet clutch application characteristics. A quality control road test was then conducted, and the report indicated a significant improvement, claiming a 99% resolution in shift pattern and clutch application smoothness in both comfort and sport settings post-adaptation.
Upon collecting the Mercedes Benz A 220, the service advisor detailed the performed procedures but seemed hesitant to acknowledge a definitive mechanical problem. He attributed the previous driving issues to the inherent nature of a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). While DCTs can sometimes exhibit minor jerkiness, we disagreed with the advisor’s assessment that the harsh shifting we experienced in our A 220 was normal, especially considering its initial smooth performance and the degradation we’d observed over mileage. The service was provided at no charge, which, combined with the somewhat ambiguous explanation, left us slightly unclear on the exact nature of the “fix”. Nevertheless, with the Mercedes Benz A 220 back in our possession, the crucial next step was to conduct real-world driving tests to ascertain whether these adaptations had genuinely resolved the rough shift characteristics.
Prior to this service appointment, we had already confirmed the transmission issues across multiple drivers within our team. We had documented these concerns in earlier blog posts, emphasizing that while the Mercedes Benz A 220’s off-the-line starts were never exceptionally smooth, the transmission behavior had deteriorated significantly after accumulating 10,000 miles. During the service appointment scheduling and initial consultation, we thoroughly described the issue to both the service advisor and the assigned technician. They asked pertinent questions regarding the issue’s timing, whether it occurred when the car was cold or warm, and the selected drive mode – demonstrating a proactive approach to diagnosis. After leaving the vehicle overnight, the dealership requested an extended test drive, with the technician taking the car home to further evaluate the issue under varied driving conditions.
Coinciding with the transmission investigation, our Mercedes Benz A 220 also reached its 10,000-mile service interval. We scheduled this service at the same Mercedes dealership, securing an appointment promptly. The 10,000-mile service encompassed a standard oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection. The brake check revealed no issues, and the oil change was completed without incident. However, a tire wear inspection indicated irregularities, leading to a dealer recommendation for a wheel alignment. Consequently, in addition to the standard service, we authorized a wheel alignment. A day later, our Mercedes Benz A 220 was returned, freshly washed, with the oil changed, tires rotated, and alignment corrected. The total cost for this 10,000-mile service amounted to a significant $617.59.
Here’s a breakdown of the 10,000-mile service expenses: Wheel Alignment: $229.95; Oil Change (including 6 quarts of Synthetic 5W40 and filter): $285.69; Rotate and Balance Tires: $101.95. Due to time constraints, we opted for the convenience of the nearest dealership and did not negotiate pricing. However, given the substantial cost of this service, we are now considering exploring independent service shops for the upcoming 20,000-mile service to potentially reduce maintenance expenses for our Mercedes Benz A 220.
