Funny, one of the best thing to happen to me profit wise was/is Mercedes refusal to change transmission fluid.. I get Lots of 90's cars that have never had their trans serviced and because of which are needing their transmissions replaced @ right about 100-140K mark.

Jonathan

Interesting thread....I just purchased a 1999 ML430 with approx 60,000 miles. I am looking to change the ATF and filter. What type of tranny is in the ML430? ....from what I have read, it should have a drain plug on the converter and need aprox 8 qts?? not sure.... how many quarts / Lts should I purchase and of what type of fluid?

Thanks for the help.

BTW I already purchased a trans dip stick to check the level when I fill it back up.

Fluid recomendation for 300CE 91?
 

After spending about 2 hours reading a lot of threads on transmission fluid, I'm getting confused now...

I want to change it on my car (1991 300CE, engine 104.980, transmission 722.359) because it has 108k on it and I'm not sure when it was done last time (I've got it for 2 years now). The transmission is working fine (knocking wood...).

Could someone tell me:

- what MB recommend for that transmission (Febi?),

- what users have good experience with?

- is Mobil 1 ATF synth OK?

Thanks,

- what MB recommend for that transmission (Febi?),
Any name brand D/M III (or what ever they are calling it these days) will do.. Be it Shell, Exxon, Valvoline..

- what users have good experience with?
I've had Very good luck using Valvoline's D/M III Max life..that transmission fluid is actually approved for some boxes that call for Synthetic

- is Mobil 1 ATF synth OK?
Sure.

Jonathan

Wow, I am so amazed at all the controversy as whether to change the fluid on the "sealed for life" transmission. I came to this thread in curiosity about "when" to change the transmission fluid in my 1999 SL500.

I know this is a Mercedes forum, but I must let you know my experiences with my 1998 Ford Ranger. I have religiously had the transmission fluid flushed at 30 to 40K based on the recommendations from a good friend who is an ASE mechanic for more than 20 years. I once did not flush the fluid for almost 60K and noticed that when starting and shifting into gear the transmission would not engage and then suddenly with a "thunk" engage. This scared me a bit and I had the fluid flushed soon after and the problem no longer occured. According to my mechanic friend the transmission on a Ford Ranger will fail at around 100K without proper service, thus far I have 211K on my original transmission without any more problems at all.

Taking all this into account, I cannot believe that any transmission is "sealed for life". Parts do wear and contaminants can pass through filters, and if the contaminants do not pass through the filter, the filter will begin to slow the flow of fluid. In addition to this fluids (oils) begin to break down with heat, and if you say their is not much heat in a transmission, then why is there a transmission cooler?

Then there is the argument why Mercedes had the "sealed for life" transmission in the first place. As far as we know it very well could have been a marketing feature to tout how great their cars are and how great their transmissions and fluids are. I do not claim to be and expert by any means, just my own personal observations and knowledge of any device that has moving parts; where there is friction there is wear and contaminants will be introduced into the lubricants and even small contaminants will begin to cause increased wear. A previous post stated how even small contaminants can pass though a filter once they are small enough and this I agree. With this in mind, how better to rid the system of contaminants than by changing the fluid that holds these contaminants in supsension. So, if I spend $200 to $300 having a fluid and filter change will this really do any harm? I do not think so, in any case whether or not this may extend the life of my transmission I will take my chances that it will most likely will. In comparison a fluid and filter change is nothing in comparison to the cost of complete replacement of the transmission. I guess the other thing that scares me is not having any way of checking the actual fluid level in my transmission and with a fluid change, even for a small time, I can be assured that the fluid level is correct. Yes any transmission will eventually fail no matter what, sooner or later it will fail. But maintenance is the the best prevention for failure.

BTW why does Mercedes recommend changing the fluid in the soft top system on the SL500? Hmmm, maybe because of contaminants in the fluid? I am not sure wheter this system has a filter, in any case this is an interesting thought. Just my 2 cents for all it is worth, I guess in the end this topic is like that of the chicken and the egg, I guess we all have to make up our own minds.

When?
 

<<Wow, I am so amazed at all the controversy as whether to change the fluid on the "sealed for life" transmission. I came to this thread in curiosity about "when" to change the transmission fluid in my 1999 SL500.
<<BIG SNIP>>
Taking all this into account, I cannot believe that any transmission is "sealed for life". Parts do wear and contaminants can pass through filters, and if the contaminants do not pass through the filter, the filter will begin to slow the flow of fluid. Then there is the argument why Mercedes had the "sealed for life" transmission in the first place.>>>

What amazes ME is that this discussion persists since MB changed their stance on this about 2006, when they notified their dealers that the "lifetime" fluid is to changed at about 39000 miles. I have seen that document so it is not "something I heard."

Since the 5-speed automatic (electronically controlled) in my at-the-time '01 C320 had no torque converter drain plug, only about half of the fluid could be drained and I settled for that. The dealer offers a trans flush for a huge price but I declined.

My 2008 C300's 7-speed auto HAS a TC drain plug and I will be changing it's fluid at about 39K miles which is a long way off.

I'll check again on trans service. 39000 is just too hard to believe they'd come up with an odd number like that, HOWEVER I could understand if they actually are calculating a service based on individual car useage, in which case they might have told you YOUR car will need a trans service in 39000?
I wouldn't say it'll do any harm to change it, if done properly. Even a flush, as long as it is being flushed and filled only with the MB (or MB approved/equivilant) fluid.
Gilly

Gilly

The new service requirement does indeed call for one transmission fluid change @ 60 000 km ( approx. 39 k miles ).

P.S. where have you been, I thought you died & went to hell. :D

39k
 

<<Gilly ....The new service requirement does indeed call for one transmission fluid change @ 60 000 km ( approx. 39 k miles ). P.S. where have you been, I thought you died & went to hell. >>

Which is during the warranty period and after that who cares. Reminds me of the oxygen sensor light in my accursed 201 that came on at about 40K miles after which the bulb was removed by the dealer.

Which is during the warranty period and after that who cares. [/QUOTE]

Hey, no arguments from me.
On my truck, I change the fluid every 50 k ......and it now has 420 k on it. ;)

Rechecked back at the dealership yet again, NO there is still no change interval, per this guy who would/should know. Anyone wanna check their service booklet on a new MB and just kinda check it out? This was from a guy "up front", maybe the guys in the shop know it but he doesn't, but MB keeps the up front people pretty well schooled in what's going on.

I'm doing OK. I get an email if there is a post to a thread I'm subscribed to, but usually I'm just doing other things. Getting a new cycle this spring, have been busy getting a decent downpayment saved up.
Gilly

@ Gilly

The above mentioned trans.fluid change is indicated in my Owners/Service Manual.

P.S. What " Cycle " are you looking at.
Must be a motorcycle,.........since you're too old for a bicycle. :D

Yeah, a moto-type cycle. Not too old for a bike, got one of those too. I might put "a few" more miles on the moto per year though.

Can you do a scan on that page and post it here?

Gilly

Can't scan it, but I'll give you the info:

Service Booklet - 2007 Passenger Cars
C-Class, CLK & SL
page 86
Job # 2702
Once at 60 k km " Automatic transmission - oil & filter change.

Might be a Canada thing...........
Gilly