cars acceleration VERy jerky for first 5 minutes or so of driving, especially if cold..?

Question

i appreciate all the advice ive been getting lately on my car. I am about to take it to my local service station in an hour to have this problem checked up on, but maybe someone else has had this same issue.

My cars acceleration (especially from stop to go) seems very jerky. It will surge then stop then surge then stop ,etc. It is a turbo so I'm not sure what to deduce from that fact. But anyway, it seems to happen the worst the colder it is. I hardly noticed it but for a few seconds earlier in the week when it was around 50 F, but the last few days its been a high of about 12F and I noticed it when I left work yesterday - it was pretty bad.
If I have drive nthe car for a while, turn it off, then restart it shortly, the problem isnt there (or if it is it is so slight I can barely notice it).

Does this seem like a transmission problem... or fuel filter clogged? Any ideas?

Thanks

o- sorry the car is mercedes 350SDL turbo diesel

I would think they add those additives in this area already?

The waiting does seem to help though.. still getting it checked out though, thanks.

Answer 1

I'd try some diesel fuel additives that are designed to help cold weather operation.

Answer 2

The temps your indicating usually are not low enough to freeze the fuel, but diesel fuel can and does freeze so perhaps using a can of antifreeze for diesel fuel would help you.

You might also simply have some water in the fuel that you are unaware of, so the above advice would help that too.

Answer 3

You need to give your car time to warm up. Start it five or ten minutes before you leave. It sounds like your transmission isn't shifting properly due to the cold.

Answer 4

If it is good after it warms up - have someone look at the choke let off valve.