Transmission fluid replacement schedule - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jeff-abalone · #1 12-15-2006, 02:25 AM

I think that change it every 30k is reasonable if you plan to keep the car.

MB said lifetime ATF because they only guarantee the transmission working 100k.... After warranty period, no guarantee on it. If MB made lifetime ATF, does it means lifetime guarantee on the transmission from MB

Gilly · #2 12-15-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

MB has backed away from the filled for life ATF.

Nope, still filled for life, unless the new ones have a schedule for change, I can check later. On the 722.6 MB has not revised the maintenance schedule, maybe some DEALERS have, but just because they miss the money, MB never told them to.
Think about it, how would MB make the most money, a recommended service (with purportedly "MB-only" expen$ive fluid, plus filter and gasket) every 30K or so, or selling trannies to , oh I don't know, lets say 10-15% of the fleet?? (and even that is on the high side I'd say, vocal minority in action) I think they'd opt to sell the service work, they make alot of profit on that fluid I'm sure, $10-12 a liter? How much do you think THEY pay??

Gilly

jhodg5ck · #3 12-15-2006, 08:43 AM

Well, their cost to replace one of these transmission is most @ least in the 5-6K range.. I'm sure they are making their usual brutal mark up on the transmission and they have some wiz that can knock it out in a matter of a couple of hours.

Be that as it may, I change the fluid in my 96 S600 every 15-20K (doesn't' get driven much)...costs me 110-120 even w/ my discounts but I'd Much prefer that then R&R'ing that bloody box.

Jonathan

Gilly · #4 12-15-2006, 08:51 AM

Right, but look at the economy of scale or whatever it's called, in others words recommend servicing them ALL every 30K vs replacing relative few of them. On a PERSONAL level yes if I thought it would really keep the transmission from failing (which I contend it WON'T), sure change it. From MBs outlook, they would stand to make MORE money by recommending the fluid change.
Gilly

jhodg5ck · #5 12-15-2006, 09:07 AM

They would stand to make more, but they also open them selves up to a lot more liability.. Better to call it life time fill and replcae it once every 100K I would think.. I'm sure they have had their share of techs messing up a trans fluid change only to have the customer come back demanding they replace their transmission.

Way I see it why not give the transmission best chance possible of lasting.. Hell, I know people who don't change their engine oil for 40-50+k..their engines all make it to 100,000 miles so what's to say we shouldn't all adopt that interval?

Jonathan

Gilly · #6 12-15-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Hell, I know people who don't change their engine oil for 40-50+k..their engines all make it to 100,000 miles so what's to say we shouldn't all adopt that interval?

Well now your just being stupid

Gilly

waybomb · #7 12-15-2006, 10:23 PM

Well, my good for life tranny in the ML lasted its life - about 150,000 miles worth.

Trans fluid black - like black paint. Little needle bearings in the pan. Rebuilt tranny + torque converter + shipping = $2295.00. I just finally got to installing it. Got fluid from the dealership at $7.75 per qt. Flushed the cooler and lines. I used 20 liters total, including wasting a bunch in the flush.

I knew better. I should have changed the fluid every 30k or so. I am changing again in 1000 miles just to be sure, then every 30,000. You say it's a waste? Let's see, less than $100 every 30,000 or $2,400 every 150,000.

You wanna believe MB on forever fill, fine. I learned something different. In all my years of driving, I have never had a trans go bad.

jhodg5ck · #8 12-16-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Well now your just being stupid

Gilly

Based on your logic I don't feel as though I am..I'm just carrying it through to another aspect of drive train.

I find it odd that once MB started to offer long term warranty's their cars went from requiring regular/routine/all encompassing service to needing essentially no service.

The physics of the transmissions inner workings didn't change applicably, and while synthetic fluids are a vast improvement I do not believe they are that good. Plus, these new transmissions w/ more gears go through Far more changes their our old boxes and do said changes smoother w/ more slippage then a firm shifting box thus generating more heat and wear on the clutch discs.

I'll continue to change my fluid often and based on that will offer the same to my clients, should they choose not to I'll be happy to sell them a transmission sooner rather then later.

Jonathan

ROGER E. · #9 12-22-2006, 01:42 AM

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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.

Gilly · #10 12-22-2006, 05:15 AM

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

phouse · #11 12-28-2007, 02:21 PM

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

kchemers · #12 12-28-2007, 04:35 PM

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

jhodg5ck · #13 12-28-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchemers

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

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