Transmission service/Larry & others
 

I've heard from more than one source that Mercedes has recently (within the past six months) come out with a service or technical bulletin indicating that most of the "filled for life" transmissions now ought to be serviced every 40,000 miles. I think I even saw the article in print, but can't remember where. Anyone else seen or heard htis? Is it in fact true?

Len

Since I don't drive one of these cars I have NOT heard that.

This thread gave me an excuse to call my brother in law, who is an MB dealer tech, and say hello. I asked him about this and he said that to his knowledge there is nothing from MB indicating that a change is recommended. He said that he would guess that the service writers are telling customers this in order to sell maintenance service. I would not doubt that at all. The service writers increase their pay for "upselling" service to their customers.

Have a great day,

Thanks for checking Larry. As I recall, it seems like that info I got came from MBUSA and not a particluar dealer service department. As a matter of fact, I asked about it at StarTech a couple of months ago and a couple of the repreresentatives there said that something had just recently come out to that effect. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find where I first saw that.

Len

You definitely could be correct. Remember, my brother in law is a tech. Although he is a VERY good tech, a tech is not always the one that would know such things.

Have a great day,

For M.Y. 2006, the transmission fluid and filter should be changed at 39,000 miles. This applies to transmission 722.6 and 722.9. There was no technical bulletin or service information published though. It was simply added to the service sheet. The service sheets for previous years don't include this item. If anyone is wondering why the interval is 39,000 miles, it's because that's when the 2006 cars are due for their third service. Since the Flexible Service System is a thing of the past, new MB's have a fixed service interval of 13,000 miles or one year ( 10,000 miles for AMG ). It should be noted that FSS service work was paid for by MBUSA warranty. The new cars don't include this, although several different service plans can be purchased when the car is bought.

Maybe that's what I saw. So, if the transmissions are the same and the fluid is the same, why are some filled for life and others only for 39,000 miles?

Len

Apparently, if MB is paying for the service it's filled for life. If the owner is paying, it's due for service at 39K. This will probably tick off a few people.

transmission service
 

the text below is that i found regarding the new 722.9 automatic transmissions.





Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) filling and ATF level check
Model Year 2004 Automatic Transmission 722.9 Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) filling system The increasing problems of installation space make it very difficult, or even impossible to accommodate the transmission fluid filler pipe in the engine compartment. Another benefit is the significant costs saving achieved through the discontinuation of the transmission fluid filler pipe. In the W7A 700, the ATF is filled and the ATF level is set at the production plant at the end of the assembly line by means of a newly developed process-controlled overflow method. This method requires an overflow pipe located inside the floor of the transmission fluid pan. The ATF temperature is transmitted by the transmission control module over the CAN data bus and can be retrieved from there. As before, an ATF change is not necessary throughout the entire service life. Service note Detailed instructions for the ATF level check and ATF filling will be available for service workshops in the WIS in time for the market launch.


Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) filling and ATF level check
Transmission fluid pan 1Magnet 2Overflow pipe 3ATF level at 40°C ATF temperature 4Drain plug