1991 W126 500SE - Gearbox oil change?

[Roygarth]

How often should this be carried out?
Thanks
Piers

 

[momomo]

Every 45K to 50K i think is the recommendation.

 

[Roger Jones]

36k (miles) or three years, which ever comes first, is pretty common. No harm and not that much expense in shorter intervals, but check the colour of the ATF, which is translucent wine red if healthy and various shades of opaque brown if not. Fierce driving or heavy use (loads, trailers, caravans, city driving) will stress the ATF.

I always err on the side of caution with fluids (i.e. shorter intervals); they are not that costly and the car is crucially dependent on them. You've only got to see a knackered fluid once -- see what comes out of the diff -- to think "Oh lord, why on earth didn't they change that".

 

[Roygarth]

Is there a particular brand/spec of ATF one should use?

 

[momomo]

I would personally stick to Genuine MB fluid.

 

[Roygarth]

will do, thanks.

 

[jaymanek]

On a W126 you will be wasting money on MB fluid, Dexron II or III is more than good enough.

 

[khimani_mohiki]

Jay, how much would you do me a gearbox oil change for?

 

[johnsco]

I used Dexron III on our W126 over 8 years with perfectly good results.
Used to change it annually.
A good investment in my opinion