Discovered this forum over the weekend ... wonderful resource. Already picked up some valuable stuff. Thanks to all the "experts" for sharing your wisdom and expertise.

I've just purchased a '92 400e with 95,000 on the odo. Although the car has a fairly complete set of maintenance records, they just give me the dates and mileage when the work was done not much detail. I want to establish my own service baseline. First order of business is to change and document all the fluids. I plan on switching engine oil to Either Castrol Syntech 15/50 or same spec Mobil 1. I also want to change out trans and diff to appropriate Redline products. Which leads me to a question re: the trans lubricant. I have differing opinions ... some say go ahead and change it, some say no. The "No" guys say that trans lub is very hi detergent content and changing will lossen up a bunch of gunk in there that could cause damage. What is the consensus of wisdom on changing the trans fluids? Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom

Change the trans fluid!! Redline ATF dextron is fine. NAY-sayers are wrong on this one!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks Doc !!

good lord.. u b Jedi.

If you don't mind I will be using the same fluid on my new (rebuilt) tranny going in..

welcome to mercedesshop and welcome to 400E ownership. I have had mine for a little over 4 years. Got her at 73K miles (now have 147k) and the records were complete but details were abbreviated. Like you are considering, I baselined the car with 100% new fluids. Rather than changing to synthetics, I stuck with a standard 15W40 oil. As far as tranny, brake, power steering and coolant, I replaced and continue to maintain the car on MB fluids. The previous owner followed the bare minimum mntc requirements stated in the book. Since I have owned the car, I follow a much more aggressive mntc schedule. oils changes every 3K, coolant, power steering and tranny every 30k and brake fluid every 2 years. plugs and air filters every 15k.

my mechanic is pro-synthetic primarily in cars will lower miles. He suggested that transitioning from standard petrol based fluid to synthetics can often cause your higher mileage seals and gaskets stomach upset.....leaks and the like. I am not one to refute or support that advice but I can tell you I have been 100% satisified with sticking to good 'ole oil and OEM MB fluids.

enjoy the car and the website...lots of great info from some very knowledgable members.

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Jeff
'87 300E
'92 400E
'06 ML350