THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow roll up a ramp (like the parking ramp at my condo) or pulling away from an intersection or traffic light or stop sign, you can catch the powertrain in its most vulnerable window for lag.:At low speeds, the combination of specific mechanical and software factors makes that hesitation much more pronounced:or a dead stop, the 9-speed transmission is usually sitting in 1st or 2nd gear. When you need a sudden burst of power to climb a ramp or clear an intersection, (or the pedestrian I alluded to in our conversation), the transmission has to evaluate the demand, disengage the current gear, shift down or match revs, and re-engage. That mechanical shuffle takes a second, but it feels like an eternity. (It’s much more than a second because I will have to put the accelerator all the way down to the floor in order to get a response from the car.•:Torque Converter Slip and Creep Logic: Modern automatic transmissions use torque converter slip to keep low-speed crawling smooth and prevent the car from lurching. When you "goose" the throttle from a crawl, the system has to transition from slip-and-creep mode to locked-up acceleration, which dampens the immediate bite of power to the wheels.:Here are the primary causes behind the hesitation: •Drive-by-Wire Throttle Calibration: Modern Mercedes models use an electronic throttle pedal tuned heavily for fuel efficiency, low emissions, and smooth passenger comfort. The computer deliberately dampens initial pedal inputs to prevent aggressive power surges, creating a physical "dead zone" at the top of the pedal travel.This the precise problem I have. Not enough space to write more. This has been refused by MBUSA,Alerted to me by theNCDS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11754765 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov