Change ATF?

[Marque]

My S211 says it is due a 'D' service now (at 75,000 miles). The service book says the automatic transmission fluid should be changed ONCE at 40,000 miles (which was done, apparently). Other service items specify EVERY XX,000 miles, so this means that the ATF never needs to be changed again. Does anyone disagree?

 

[SilverSaloon]

My S211 says it is due a 'D' service now (at 75,000 miles). The service book says the automatic transmission fluid should be changed ONCE at 40,000 miles (which was done, apparently). Other service items specify EVERY XX,000 miles, so this means that the ATF never needs to be changed again. Does anyone disagree?

yes - disagree...... what makes the 1st 40k any different to the next?

changing at 40k intervals sounds about right and is what i plan to do (recently done it about 20k ago)

 

[johnsco]

I would definitely change the ATF.
The performance of the ATF will degrade whether or not it's the first 40k miles.
The degradation may be different due to changing wear characteristics of the transmission, but it will still degrade.

Johnsco

 

[grober]

My S211 says it is due a 'D' service now (at 75,000 miles). The service book says the automatic transmission fluid should be changed ONCE at 40,000 miles (which was done, apparently). Other service items specify EVERY XX,000 miles, so this means that the ATF never needs to be changed again. Does anyone disagree?

I can only assume the fluid change at 40,000 miles is a precaution to remove any material from the initial "bedding in" of the various frictional/meshing surfaces in the gearbox. After this I assume its anticipated the level of this material would be substantially reduced. Modern synthetic transmission fluids should resist chemical degradation to a greater extent than older fluids so should not require changing through "aging". I'm not sure if I buy into this way of thinking but because there is always some risk of contamination/incorrect fluid type/level involved in changing the fluid and without the correct equipment/technique to completely change the fluid [ e.g. no torque converter drain facility] its perhaps an idea to extend the next fluid change interval to 100,000 miles as a compromise. You are paying for a very expensive transmission fluid so why not take advantage of its better performance?

This approach should of course be modified in the event of any degradation in gearbox performance attributable to fluid loss or premature fluid degradation but if it ain't broke don't fix it?

 

[G-Force]

My W211 was getting a bit noisy when i went to overtake @ motorway speeds (wierd grumble noise coming from diff) I asked about the ATF fluid getting changed and was told it was "sealed for life"...asked my local indy and advised it was changed (about 68k on the clock at the time)
Got it done and all seems well and gear changes seem slighty smoother. I will ensure it is changed again -if i hang onto the car

Def advise getting it done as repairs are mighty expensive

 

[Marque]

Well, I've decided not to get the ATF changed during the service, as MB would probably charge me an arm and a leg. However, I might get it done later on at a good indie. I shall definitely change the ATF before it gets to 100,000 miles.

 

[G-Force]

^ Thats what i ended up doing ^
MB wanted £9.99 + VAT per litre (if i remember correctly i would need 8 litres) just to buy the ATF fluid and my indy charged £140.00 to replace fluid and drain/clean torque converter.

 

[Olivier]

^ Thats what i ended up doing ^
MB wanted £9.99 + VAT per litre (if i remember correctly i would need 8 litres) just to buy the ATF fluid and my indy charged £140.00 to replace fluid and drain/clean torque converter.

I got Valvoline Max life, 7 pounds all included ( 56 pounds) , and did the oil change, converter included, 2 new plugs, 3 pounds something I think.
140 is a wee expensive to drain the oil...
I forgot, I had to get the stick to be sure of the oil level, 23 pounds.

 

[lynall]

I got my genuine mb oil from e bay 12x1 litre containers for £60 including p+p, under half of the dealer price.



Lynall

 

[Olivier]

This is great deal you got there.

 

[Satch]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/56548-atf-fluids.html

 

[Rory]

Is this one-off change still in the schedule? I'm sure I saw somewhere that it had been removed (having only been introduced a couple of years ago).

I'm sure the reason it was originally set at 37,000 (it was 60Kms)/ 4yrs was so that it didn't impact the service cost for 36k/3yrs. However there seems no logical reason that Mercedes wouldn't make it a regular change, unless they thought it would put people off dealer servicing, maybe?

 

[SSBB]

I changed my fluid after a gearbox problem. C220cdi, 04MY 52000miles, and it came out like black treacle. The box is definitely smoother although my original fault is still present. As another poster said to me fresh oil= circa £100, New gearbox circa £3000, take your pick. I dont buy the 'sealed for life' line. Any mechanical equipment relies on good oil for longevity, My Omega watch even needs a £100 service every two years which includes replacing 'worn out' lubricant. How can a Mercedes gearbox be exempt from maintenance?

 

[G-Force]

Your spot on SSBB.
I recently spent £140 on my mercs ATF change, car cost me £19k when i bought it, and spent £160 getting my £1800 TAG serviced.
It kind of sums things up doesn't it.

 

[Marque]

Update...

Car has just been to Hughes of Beaconsfield for its 'D' service. All fine except a rather vague "indication of a possible gearbox oil leak" was reported. They wanted £100 to replace a plug? This means I'll be changing the ATF sooner rather than later, so I declined. I now need to find a local indie...

I was charged a fixed price for a 'B' service - and there were no extras. I don't know why ASSYST reported it as a 'D' service - it has been doing so ever since the previous 'A' service 18 months ago!

Also, it says the next service is due in 12,404 miles. Does this sound right? I thought that variable service intervals started counting down from 15,000 miles - or does it take into account my previous driving history? (I do quite a few short journeys.)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The "plug" you mention sounds like the electrical connector whatsit, which is a known weakspot, and if it is that then it's a routine job for the main dealers. The proper name escapes me, but I suspect that's what it is.

I had it replaced on my car in Summer 2008, and they noticed that it was damp at it's last service in Summer 2009. They couldn't be sure if it was from last time or fresh, so they replaced it FOC to be sure.

 

[lynall]

Plug is also called a bush costs £20 from mb dealer.



Lynall

 

[Marque]

n/a