Auto Trans Fluid Change
 

Does anyone know how often the automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed in the 2.3 190E? Also can I use Royal Purple and can I just drain from a plug in the pan?

Every 30k miles, drain the pan and the torque converter, any Dexron III works very well.

Do I have to remove the pan to drain the transmission or is there simply a plug that can be removed?
To drain torque converter, must the pan be removed?

You do not have to remove the pan to drain the transmission, but you DO have to remove the pan to change the filter! The torque converter plug is accessed through an opening in the bell housing.

Do a search or look at the DIY stickies. I'm sure there is a ATF change how to here somewhere.

yes, there is a plug in the pan and, yes, you need to pull the pan for 2 reasons. 1-change the filter. 2-you won't find any loose parts that don't belong in the pan if it stays on. good luck, chuck.

www.dieselgiant.com has a good write up on how to do the trans fluid change, its pretty much the same task on all older MBs....up to about 1995ish....

Very easy to pull the pan, no brainer and worth the effort. Personally I would not spend the money for the RP, Valvoline long life or similar is good enough.

If you want to use synthetic, do a search, I have heard one brand was prefererred over others but cannot recall which it was, redline maybe?

it's basically the same as the oil threads. If synthetic makes you feel good, by all means use it. Dexron works for me.

One of the biggest benefits of synthetic anything is how it performs in the cold climates....around here a car with synthetic engine and transmission oils is much happier when its 0F outside.

Is that due to viscosity?

In hot climates...there shouldn't be as good of a need though right?
I need to change my wagons as I just hit 30k miles last week....

Trying to debate between Synthetic or Dex III....Mainly because the front seal is leaking a little....I don't want a little to turn into a lot.