You do whatever makes you happy, Jon.
Gilly

Always have, always will...it's the only way to live IMHO.

Jonathan

Gilly
Allegedly, the trans I bought was "dyno tested". There is evidence it was. So it sounds like I can avoid an oil change in the near future. Agree?

Yes, just make sure the fluid level is correct, then wouldn't worry about changing it.
Gilly

So-called lifetime trans fluid
 

<<That being said, MB does not recommend any fluid changes for the life of the transmission. The general consensus here is to change about every 60k-80k miles. The only approved fluid is a special MB sythetic fluid and is about $13-$14 per quart. A change including torque converter drain will run at least 8 quarts. Yes, the filter is replaceable.>>

I read with own two eyes at my dealer the revised trans fluid mandate from MB. They now say "to be changed at 39000 miles" and I can't imagine where that number came from. Why not 40K?

In any case I had it done at 45K miles but since the torque converter has no drain plug, you end up putting in four quarts. Or was it liters? The one and only tech who works on my C320 told me if I really wanted to get it all out, he could do a pressure flush @ $$$. I declined. I did notice that the shift quality improved after the semi-change.

I'm checking again, just for you..........
Gilly

What ATF should I use in my 90 560SEL, I sure hate to see the orange color, debre from clutches what ever in the pan and the grey film from detergent breakdown between 30k and 80K. What do you guys see at your intervals? and your fluids?

i believe the 722.6 spec MB OEM fluid is not synthetic. anyway, MB has new OEM ATF spec'd for 722.9, and this new fluid is back-compatible w/ older mb trannies. it's cheaper as well, $7-8/qt vs. $12 for old fluid

We are talking about a totaly different trans!:D Use regular ATF, change it every 25k miles or whatever they call for. I prefer Mobil 1 ATF I think it makes these old trans shift a bit better.

Interval on the 90 is 30K, and use any fluid that states that it is DexronIII/Mercon. The synth already recommended is OK as long is it states that it "is" or is compatible with DexronIII/Mercon.
Gilly

You guys can change fluid all you want, but I'll be flushing mine with a flush machine. on my 300E, look at the crappy paper filter. What is that going to catch??? When you are talking microns...very little. Several shops that know what they are doing are now hooking a flush machine into one of the cooler lines and give a complete flush. They have a sight glass and can watch the fluid go from black to bright red. Most will use 16 quarts or more during the flush. And just because it looks red on your finger when you pull out the dipstick, doesn't mean anything. Pull out a sample and fill a test tube! That red on your finger, will look quite black in a test tube. My opinion....flush it! don't drain it.

Now I can't speak for those late models with no dipsticks, but most transmissions, even the late autos, have a plug somewhere for level check, even if there is no stick. GM and Ford did so, when they got the stupid idea to save a few bucks and delete your dipstick.

Only an opinion, but doing nothing, not changing or flushing, is about as stupid as not changing your oil.

Yes what you say is true, unless you have a 722.6 or newer trans.;)

1998 E430 Transmission
 

Why is the dipstick sooo special can't you just measure 53mm - 64mm from the bottom of a empty bicycle brake cable (the housing), warm up the trans then measure... Done deal..

BTW my 1998 E430 has the TC Drain plug

Transmission
 

I had a 1997 C230 I put 245000 miles on it and never touched the sealed for life trans, when I was rear ended and the car totaled the trans shifted as smooth as the day I bought it. My Mercedes dealer refused on a number of occasions to change the fluid. Also a number of mechanics I know say flushing the trans is the worst possible thing you can do, you are better off never changing the fluid

Good for them. Meanwhile, I'd rather weight the dice and throw a 6 every time by changing the fluid regularly.