Confused about whether to change transmission oil

[DonVitto]

I have a 2011 C180 which has done 50k miles. It's a 5 speed auto.

From my research I understand that the transmission oil should have been changed around 37k miles (from the service history this wasn't done, perhaps because the previous owner didn't intend to keep the car long enough for a problem to occur).

Here's where I'm confused though.

- I contacted Mercedes and they said the transmission oil does not need to be changed.

- I contacted a recommended independent Mercedes specialist and they said they'd entered my vehicle details into their schedule system and entered 30k miles, 40k miles and 50k miles and at no point did it say the transmission oil needed changing.

- I checked on the Mercedes website and entered my vehicle details along with a mileage of 40k (as a test) and it said the transmission oil does need changing.

- The service book that came with the car says the transmission oil needs changing at 50k kilometers (approx 31k miles) if you have the 7 speed auto (mine is 5 speed).

Any advice please?

Many thanks,

DonVitto

 

[HB]

I would recommend a change.

Don't listen to the idiots at the dealer.

 

[grober]

Before you panic I would suggest that that first change around 30k is perhaps most important assuming there may be more "bedding in" material in the fluid [technically its a hydraulic fluid rather than an oil] than later when all the mechanical surfaces should have stabilised meaning subsequent change intervals might be usefully extended ? If its never been changed then a fluid change would be a good idea. Its a job best left to a specialist since accurate levels are best determined by measuring the fluid temperature accurately while topping up.

 

[bob6600]

Get it done, will do no harm and will only help prolong the life of the 'box

 

[markjay]

Mercedes Benz may say it does not need doing but they only provide warranty for the first three years... since it's your gearbox, not theirs, get it done, like others said.

 

[Chappie350]

Hi,

I had a similar dilemna on my E Class a few weeks ago with the 7g box.....different advice from different dealers, a good independent, Service Book / ESS......totally confusing.

I ended up getting it done.....can't do any harm at the end of the day.

 

[WDB124066]

Just changed mine after the new trans ex Daimler had done only 20 000 kms or so even though everybody said don't do it until it's due at 60 000. My thinking was along the line of grober's, new trans with lots of little bits of debris that is inherent with new parts mating together tells me it's a good idea. Tech said there was indeed a fair amount of debris in the filter but nothing to be concerned about. I'm pleased I did, shifts are ever so slightly firmer now too.

 

[itskarl]

I had same dilema with my CL500 and they were a swine with gearboxes ! MB stated no change required, local indie nearly lost the plot when I told him what they said. Had it done, not cheap but worth it.
Still didn't stop the fateful early 7G box failing at 70k but thats not the fluids fault !

 

[Carrsey]

I would say if you plan on keeping the car for a bit, go for it. Mine is being done this Friday at an Indy, £165 all in.. Not worth the risk for that price..

 

[tanuie]

I would have it changed, just had mine done and it's a lot cheaper than a new gearbox, it's normally under £200 if done at an indy.

 

[pembssurf]

I have exactly the same car SAME YEAR TOO. with the 5G auto. Mine was done at main dealer at 31,000 miles. Dealer confirmed it was a once in a lifetime service at 31,000 HTHA

 

[BlackC55]

Definitely get it done, it will certainly help prolong the life of the gearbox

 

[tristand]

I have a 5g transmission(2009 E-Class). Gear changes started getting too noticeable at around 60K. Couldn't find out if the initial change at 37K had been done. Hoping that it was a change that would sort it, I had it done. Instantly the changes were smoother, but not perfect. Did a transmission ECU reset and car drove perfectly after.

 

[lim]

Instantly the changes were smoother, but not perfect. Did a transmission ECU reset and car drove perfectly after.

Tristand,

Can you elaborate on the "transmission ECU reset" please? Is it a DIY operation, or does it require something like a Star DS?

Regards, lim

 

[Rory]

Don't listen to the idiots at the dealer.

It's a bit odd that they're saying it doesn't need to be done if it comes up on the ESS. Perhaps they put the current mileage in and it drops off again, as the system assumes it'll have been done?

Mine is older but was shown as sealed for life - the change requirement came back in a few thousand VINs after my car was built. I had the devil of a job getting the dealer to change it because the ESS was telling them it didn't need to be done.

 

[DonVitto]

It's a bit odd that they're saying it doesn't need to be done if it comes up on the ESS. Perhaps they put the current mileage in and it drops off again, as the system assumes it'll have been done?

Mine is older but was shown as sealed for life - the change requirement came back in a few thousand VINs after my car was built. I had the devil of a job getting the dealer to change it because the ESS was telling them it didn't need to be done.

I've just had mine done at an independent.

I called Mercedes again beforehand and they told me that mine is sealed and didn't need doing. I asked them to put a lower mileage into their system because it perhaps assumed it had already been done. They said no matter what mileage they put in, it said it didn't need doing. I asked them how much to do it anyway, and they said the gearbox is sealed shut and it can't be done lol! However when I entered my vehicle details on their website and entered 40k miles, it said it did need doing.

The next challenge was getting people to acknowledge that the torque converter needs draining. The independent I used wasn't going to do this. I'd called another independent previously and they said they didn't drain the tc either.

Anyway in the end I got it done including tc drain.

 

[merc85]

If your not worried about cost, Get it done. Im getting mine done again in the new year when ive done around 15k after the last change.

It will always take a while to get the box completely free of the old fluid.

 

[nsiddiqui]

definitely get it done. no oil is ever lasting. i got mine done by Olly as PCS and you can tell the difference in shifts etc.

for £200 it's worth it - how much is a new gearbox and fitting???

 

[DonVitto]

Hi, as above I got this done. Thanks for all your advice.

I had to quiz about the torque converter - other people considering having the ATF change might like to bear this in mind because it seems a lot of places don't drain the TC unless you insist

 

[F Wagon]

Im in the same place as the OP, 5 speed in my 2011 E that the dealer says is sealed for life... Any recommendations for a good indie in surrey to get it changed.