Auto Transmission Fluid Change.

[Hawkwind]

Had the fluid and filters changed today (CLK W208) and though the gear change was fine before, it is now really nice and silky smooth

Wanted to get it done because I don't know the service history of the car and judging by the quality of the old engine oil and filter, the transmission fluid my never have been changed, or at least not for a long time which had me worried.

Took it to Olly's (BlackC55), to have the work done and I must say it was a fast and efficient process, just had time for a read of the paper and a bacon butty down the road, then it was ready to drive home. Was a 50 mile drive, but at least I know the job has been done properly, well worth a trip for those that aren't too far away. Took the scenic route home along the A272 with the top down,sun shining, all in all a very pleasant experience and at a very reasonable price

If in doubt, I'd get this done to any older car, good preventative maintenance, though perhaps expensive at the time, will save a lot more money in the long run. You don't expect an engine to go on forever with no oil change, the gearbox needs a bit of tlc occasionally too

Big thanks to Olly

 

[johns E350]

I don't think I have ever read where someone has had the auto oil changed and has not noticed the difference

 

[John]

Well, I can double your experience as I had mine changed when I bought it and it made no difference.

What came out looked quite clean so may well have been done already but no documentation to support.

Did Olly show / tell you what came out Hawkwind?

 

[Hawkwind]

Didn't meet Olly unfortunately, the garage seemed quite busy, didn't want to hassle a busy person

 

[BlackC55]

Didn't meet Olly unfortunately, the garage seemed quite busy, didn't want to hassle a busy person

I did see you! Thank you for making the trip to see us.

 

[Hawkwind]

I did see you! Thank you for making the trip to see us.

The pleasure was all mine maybe next time we'll have a chat

 

[ringway]

I don't think I have ever read where someone has had the auto oil changed and has not noticed the difference

The gearbox on my current 210 which has covered in excess of 200,000 miles now was about to snuff it at 185,000.
A hot summers day and the box was really misbehaving and I had that dooooooom feeling that all was about to go belly up at any moment.
Rather than cough up for a new box, I decided on the ATF changed and the gearbox has performed faultlessly ever since.
I reckon the old fluid hadn't been changed in a long time and was getting too warm. Some auto-box specialists will fit an oil cooler to these boxes for around £175.

 

[BlackC55]

The gearbox on my current 210 which has covered in excess of 200,000 miles now was about to snuff it at 185,000. A hot summers day and the box was really misbehaving and I had that dooooooom feeling that all was about to go belly up at any moment. Rather than cough up for a new box, I decided on the ATF changed and the gearbox has performed faultlessly ever since. I reckon the old fluid hadn't been changed in a long time and was getting too warm. Some auto-box specialists will fit an oil cooler to these boxes for around £175.

This will only mask the worn box for a short time. You can nurse these 'boxes for ages if you are gentle with them. A re-build will make it perform even better.

 

[the prince]

Had the fluid and filters changed today (CLK W208) and though the gear change was fine before, it is now really nice and silky smooth

Wanted to get it done because I don't know the service history of the car and judging by the quality of the old engine oil and filter, the transmission fluid my never have been changed, or at least not for a long time which had me worried.

Took it to Olly's (BlackC55), to have the work done and I must say it was a fast and efficient process, just had time for a read of the paper and a bacon butty down the road, then it was ready to drive home. Was a 50 mile drive, but at least I know the job has been done properly, well worth a trip for those that aren't too far away. Took the scenic route home along the A272 with the top down,sun shining, all in all a very pleasant experience and at a very reasonable price

If in doubt, I'd get this done to any older car, good preventative maintenance, though perhaps expensive at the time, will save a lot more money in the long run. You don't expect an engine to go on forever with no oil change, the gearbox needs a bit of tlc occasionally too

Big thanks to Olly

Thinking of having the fluid & filter changed on my new-to-me CLK A208 as I don't have the history from 65k - onwards (currently 104k). Would you share the price of such a service please.

I know i'm up in Sheffield, but looking to use a 'local' indy garage and wondered what i'm looking at, price wise for certain jobs. Nearest for me i believe is in Doncaster.

Feel free to PM if don't want it advertising.

 

[lexman8]

My indy charges about £160 for a transmission fluid change on a CL500 so I'd guess yours would be similar.

 

[tec]

There is nothing in my Service Booklet about needing to change Gearbox Oil on my CLK, so wondered where are you getting the information from that it needs changing at 50,000 miles?

I have 722640 05 Gearbox.

 

[Hawkwind]

The transmission fluid will eventually break down under the harsh conditions inside the box. Most manufacturers say it will last the life of the gearbox, but just how long is that?

I believe fluid changes extend the life of the gearbox, just as oil changes extend the life of the engine and compared to a new gearbox, it's cheap.

Of course it's your car and you must do as you see fit.

 

[lexman8]

There is nothing in my Service Booklet about needing to change Gearbox Oil on my CLK, so wondered where are you getting the information from that it needs changing at 50,000 miles?

I have 722640 05 Gearbox.

It depends how old your car is as to whether a gearbox oil change would be done. All recent Mercs have their auto box oil changed at around 40,000 miles (I can't remember the exact figure).

It's not that the gearboxes or oil have got worse but rather that MB were too optimistic in saying it would never need changing thus the change in policy based, presumably, on experience with the 'no oil change' boxes.

 

[Bjm34new]

It depends how old your car is as to whether a gearbox oil change would be done. All recent Mercs have their auto box oil changed at around 40,000 miles (I can't remember the exact figure).

seem to remember its 37K

 

[tec]

It depends how old your car is as to whether a gearbox oil change would be done. All recent Mercs have their auto box oil changed at around 40,000 miles (I can't remember the exact figure).

It's not that the gearboxes or oil have got worse but rather that MB were too optimistic in saying it would never need changing thus the change in policy based, presumably, on experience with the 'no oil change' boxes.

I also have an old Volvo 940, where some owners only change the gearbox when having gear change issues, so I am in the ballpark that says if it ain't broke don't fix it. Will think about it though, as a new to MB owner.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

In North London I had mine done at an Indie for about £190 full flush at 80k miles and apparently it came out somewhat black, so was due. The bits to do it yourself aren't a whole lot less than that and takes the guesswork out of the fill level. I don't like working under cars on my gravel drive either ;-)

Dunno what a s/h 940 box costs but I shudder to think about a 722.6xx box would cost... and even then you're not sure what you're buying. I do know a new one is several thousand quid. Peace of mind comes quite cheap!