Quote:
Originally Posted by polarisrmk
Have you added any inline filters or transmission coolers? How often are you changing the ATF and Filter in the pan? I have typically done changes every 15k on my jeeps and 25k on just about everything else. I have heard that the mercedes trans will last a long time if you change it often. but how often is often?
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I follow a 15k change interval and drop the pan at that time. If for any reason the oil starts to look brown (on a white paper towel) or smells bad (like it got hot), I change it.
I used an inline filter on my Volvos. But, that was because there was no filter in the trans.
Regarding the filter. When I got the 300D, I could tell that the ATF or the filter had not been changed in some time. When I changed the oil and filter, I cut the filter open and it was amazingly clean considering the condition of the oil. This made me feel pretty confident that the stock filter could go for a while without being changed. But, that would depend on the overall condition of the trans. and the actual service it received over the years.
You can't go wrong if you follow the manual's service interval and just change the fluid if it is looking rough in between.