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The shifting comfort of automatic transmissions of diesel engines at low temperatures can be substantially improved by using springs with temperature dependent rates in the control valves. These springs utilize the shape memory effect of Ni-Ti alloys. They provide a simple and economic way to control both shifting pressure and shifting time. The Mercedes- Benz automatic transmission uses two different springs with thermovariable rate (TVR) in the shifting pressure system to adapt the pressure in the switching elements to the lower torque of cold diesel engines. One spring is used in the shifting pressure control valve and one in the accumulator system.

Since the introduction of the 4-speed automatic transmissions W4A040 in 1979 and W4A020 in 1981, more than 50% of Mercedes-Benz cars have been equipped with automatic transmissions. These transmissions have undergone continuous development since their introduction. Due to engine/transmission management, the kick-down shift points are electronically influenced, the shift comfort is improved partially by ignition timing manipulation. During the warm-up phase the shift points are raised via output signals from the electronic engine system to improve exhaust gas emissions. In this paper considerations are explained which resulted in supplementing the proven four-speed transmission with a five-speed transmission.