Got a 2002 C class Coupe 6psd manual. Comming up to 85K (km) on it should I change the oil in the tranny. I have heard no because its perminent oil and others say yes. What are your thoughts? Thanx in advance.

I don't know about your model, but I can't think when an oil change has been a bad idea, provided you use good oil. Just remember that changing the type or viscosity can affect shifting, especially when cold, because of the friction differences on the synchronizers. So if it's shifting fine, I would stick with the exact same oil.

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The auto's, that MB also claimed were filled for life, are now specified to be changed once at 39k miles. Expect that revision to change in the future as well......

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I've replaced mine on Redline MTL @70K and it turned out to be a not so good idea. The 2nd gear was touchy when I even got the car. I learned how to drive a stick-shift on it, so it clearly didn't get better After the oil replacement things gradually turned out to be worse, much worse. 1st to 2nd started grinding occasionally, especially on cold starts, so I had to be extra careful. I have read and re-read the manual, it was quite confusing, but looks like the gearbox requires the weight 90 gear oil. People were saying the the regular gear oil is bad for trannys, I've got Royal Purple which is supposed to be compatible. After the change shifts started turning to better, although still not as good as they were originally.
When I drained the original oil, by the way, it came out clear. So I would not rush to change that oil, unless you know exactly what to put in.
Which brings me to the original question: what to put in the manual 6 speed gearbox? W90 gear oil?

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2002 C230K

I always heard one was supposed to use automatic transmission fluid in Mercedes manual transmissions due to the prevalence of needle bearings in them. I use Redline synthetic auto trans. fluid in my '82 240D with a manual transmission, it has worked well for the last 30'000 miles or so.

I had the oil flushed and refiled when I took my car to MB Markham for one more examination before the warr exp. They tightened the shift linkage and changed the oil. The gear box is great, smooth and possitive..i was thinking more on the area of maintanance rather then trying to fix a problem. Mayby I should leave well enuf alone.

Glad that it worked for you. Can you let us know what oil they've used?

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2002 C230K

[QUOTE=pkor;2163457]
When I drained the original oil, by the way, it came out clear. So I would not rush to change that oil, unless you know exactly what to put in. /QUOTE]

Remember that a tranny is not an engine, so the oil will stay clear unless you had something major league wrong happen to the gearbox. I won't claim to be a tribologist, but after many years/miles/temp changes I would expect the oil to deteriorate and to pick up particles.

As far as the right oil, the MBUSA list says ATF is OK for manual trannies except models GL76/30-5 and GL275E. There is also a part nr for manual transmission oil A000 989 26 03, but I don't know any more about it.

There was a big discussion in the thread below that basically said Redline's MTL (not MTL90) was good:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=62660&page=2

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Prost!