W204 Transmission Oil Change Interval

[Remotec]

Hi,

I've got a 2012 W204 C250Cdi.

I'm a bit worried that the transmission oil has never been changed in my vehicle. I bought the car at 24,000 miles and did the next B service (circa 31,000 miles) at an MB specialist not at a main dealer.

I didn't really think about it as this is my first automatic but looking through the service booklet that came with the car, it looks like this should have been done at 31,000 miles. The specialist I used didn't prompt me on this (not blaming them) so I didn't think about it.

ESS also confirms this:
Service 20 - Once 31,000 miles/3 years
Automatic transmission: Carry out oil and filter change (with transmission 722.9 - NAG2)

So the next A service was done at Mercedes. They never mentioned that this had not been done - not saying they should but I thought their computer may have prompted them to tell me.

Now the next B service is due at 61,000 miles and I'm pretty worried that this has never been done and now I've caused some major damage to the transmission by not doing it.

Although ESS says the transmission oil should be changed next at (I think) 75,000 miles / 5 years, am I advised to do this now considering it has probably never been done?

This is completely my fault. I wish I had purchased the service plan now from MB and just let them look after the car. By trying to save money it seems I've missed a really important item from the service schedule.

Also, what about the rear oil axle? Also needs doing? Is it also important that the torque convertor is drained down?

In summary - what should I do? Get the transmission / real axle oil changed asap?

One more thing, MB told me that when the air filter is changed the car needs resetting on their computer system to "re-learn" my driving style. Is this correct or is their a more simple way to do it like disconnecting the battery for an hour (which I'm informed works on other cars).

Thanks in advance.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Best way to find out is call up to enquire about a service care plan and question it in their service history, they should be able to tell you

 

[Rory]

I wouldn't stress about it - MB have chopped and changed with the interval and my car didn't have an interval noted, they were said to be sealed for life. On mine (older 5 speed) a 3yr interval came just a couple of thousand VINs (so a few days production) later than my car and MB wouldn't do it under the service plan.

It's also confusing why you saw it at 3yrs/31K miles and now see it at 5yrs/75K. It is 5yrs on the latest cars, but I can't imagine ESS showing both intervals as that would lead to owners asking for it twice - it's a one-off change.

If you got a service plan now, you'll get the major 4yr service and you might get the ATF at 5yrs, but they might also say it should have been done at 3yrs. Before buying the plan I'd look for some assurance (ideally in writing) that the ATF will be changed - otherwise it's probably not worth it.

 

[Remotec]

Looks like it is a one time change.

From the service booklet...

Once at 1,850 miles
Rear axle oil changed.

Once at 31,000 miles / 3 years.
Automatic transmissions: oil and filter changed (automatic transmissions NAG2 or NAG2-V Sport only).

Every 77,500 miles / 5 years
Automatic transmissions: oil and filter changed (automatic transmission NAG2-FE+ only).

So the rear axle doesn't need doing but looks like the transmission oil/filter does probably need doing.

 

[foxy52]

Looks like it is a one time change.

From the service booklet...

Once at 1,850 miles
Rear axle oil changed.

Once at 31,000 miles / 3 years.
Automatic transmissions: oil and filter changed (automatic transmissions NAG2 or NAG2-V Sport only).

Every 77,500 miles / 5 years
Automatic transmissions: oil and filter changed (automatic transmission NAG2-FE+ only).

So the rear axle doesn't need doing but looks like the transmission oil/filter does probably need doing.

...this was a concern of mine .. transmission oil change should be around every 30k miles .. I would just re iterate the point to the service advisor if u have a service contract or not when a service is due .... I have read various articles about what can happen if it is overlooked as can possibly happen if yr car is serviced by other than main dealers....low oil levels,sludge and then serious probs can develop on automatic transmission ...I remind the service manager probably to annoyance that I like a complete lubrication change every service ....foxy52

 

[markjay]

Chances are no damage was caused to the transmission.

Instead of worrying about past mistakes, I would just ask for it to be done at the next service (whether they prompt you for it or not), so you know it's sorted.

 

[foxy52]

Chances are no damage was caused to the transmission.

Instead of worrying about past mistakes, I would just ask for it to be done at the next service (whether they prompt you for it or not), so you know it's sorted.

...thats my point to...if u ask it will get done..other than making an assumption...rgds foxy52

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I also have a 2012 W204. My gearbox is the 7G-Tronic PLUS, so I assume yours is the same. My servicing booklet that includes prices provided by my dealer with the car says: "Auto transmission oil and filter replaced once at 3 years / 37,000 miles". This wasn't done at 3 years and I admit that I totally forgot to ask why.

But the answer may be in the MB UK Service Booklet that is a bit more complicated in that it seems to depend on the specific engine and gearbox combination. Trying to simplify this I THINK it's saying that with the 7G (NAG2) box it's at 3 years/ 31,000 miles, and with the 7G Plus (NAG2-FE) it's at 5 years/77,500 miles. (The C63 is different.) So it seems that my dealer was right not to change oil at 3 years. It was the booklet my dealer produced themselves that complicated matters.

I recently reset the driving characteristics (no idea if it was the ECU or just on the gearbox) by disconnecting the battery for five minutes. It worked Made a massive difference to the fuel consumption.

 

[Mike Walker]

My current car is a '58 plate W204 C220 cdi Estate with 5 speed auto box. I queried the lack of ATF change, having reviewed my full MB service history, and was told by the selling dealer that the system is sealed for life, therefore no ATF change required.

 

[Chrishazle]

Mike, your experience mirrors mine! When I bought my 08 S204 C220 I saw in the owners manual about an ATF change at 37k miles. The car had been supplied new and serviced from new by MB Ashford (where I was buying it!) and I am the second owner. I had a heated discussion with their service manager, who was adamant that the box was sealed for life so an ATF/filter change would be at my cost not his - so I did not have it done. At the time of purchase the car was 3yrs 9 months old and 60k miles, they did the 4 year B service as part of the purchase price (just before end of sales quarter!!) but not fuel and air filters as they'd been done at the 3 year service.

 

[markjay]

Mike, your experience mirrors mine! When I bought my 08 S204 C220 I saw in the owners manual about an ATF change at 37k miles. The car had been supplied new and serviced from new by MB Ashford (where I was buying it!) and I am the second owner. I had a heated discussion with their service manager, who was adamant that the box was sealed for life so an ATF/filter change would be at my cost not his - so I did not have it done. At the time of purchase the car was 3yrs 9 months old and 60k miles, they did the 4 year B service as part of the purchase price (just before end of sales quarter!!) but not fuel and air filters as they'd been done at the 3 year service.

Dealers go by this:

Mercedes-Benz ESS

So for many owners it's 'the luck of the draw'....

But from the owner's perspective, if unsure then as a general rule ATF change every 40k miles / 4 years is a sensible choice.

 

[Mike Walker]

Tried the ESS thanks and got B service next which I knew. Details of what is required would not appear so back to Main Dealer. Will be contacting MB HQ for further advice.

 

[Oldlae]

Had my Transmission oil changed when I purchased the vehicle at 38,000 miles.
The mechanic that changed it said that the oil drained was pretty dirty looking, and that it was time it was changed.

I always do a 'baseline' oil / fluid service so that I know exactly where I stand with the new car.
Tony

 

[foxy52]

Had my Transmission oil changed when I purchased the vehicle at 38,000 miles.
The mechanic that changed it said that the oil drained was pretty dirty looking, and that it was time it was changed.

I always do a 'baseline' oil / fluid service so that I know exactly where I stand with the new car.
Tony

....this thread is throwing up some contradictory answers.. sealed units ? !...all oils must be changed periodically.. the sludge that can occur/build up in gearbox/trans can ruin same...it is quite clear that 30plus k miles travelled it should be renewed.. all other lubrications yearly would keep yr car in fine fettle I reckon...I have read countless reports of failure from auto trans if its not done.. rule of thumb every 30k then.. ill insist as and when my car reaches 60k that's its renewed again by main dealer.. if u ask it will get done.. like upgrades to mapping on sat nav.. had mine done at 30k to.. yes they charge but its an easy job.. ...show us your w204 guys ?? in pictures as per the other thread.. I think its the best of c classes.. having had 4 over the years since they came out ... especially the c250 and 350.. fab engines and power for the size/weight of car.. tks foxy52

 

[foxy52]

Hi,

I've got a 2012 W204 C250Cdi.

I'm a bit worried that the transmission oil has never been changed in my vehicle. I bought the car at 24,000 miles and did the next B service (circa 31,000 miles) at an MB specialist not at a main dealer.

I didn't really think about it as this is my first automatic but looking through the service booklet that came with the car, it looks like this should have been done at 31,000 miles. The specialist I used didn't prompt me on this (not blaming them) so I didn't think about it.

ESS also confirms this:
Service 20 - Once 31,000 miles/3 years
Automatic transmission: Carry out oil and filter change (with transmission 722.9 - NAG2)

So the next A service was done at Mercedes. They never mentioned that this had not been done - not saying they should but I thought their computer may have prompted them to tell me.

Now the next B service is due at 61,000 miles and I'm pretty worried that this has never been done and now I've caused some major damage to the transmission by not doing it.

Although ESS says the transmission oil should be changed next at (I think) 75,000 miles / 5 years, am I advised to do this now considering it has probably never been done?

This is completely my fault. I wish I had purchased the service plan now from MB and just let them look after the car. By trying to save money it seems I've missed a really important item from the service schedule.

Also, what about the rear oil axle? Also needs doing? Is it also important that the torque convertor is drained down?

In summary - what should I do? Get the transmission / real axle oil changed asap?

One more thing, MB told me that when the air filter is changed the car needs resetting on their computer system to "re-learn" my driving style. Is this correct or is their a more simple way to do it like disconnecting the battery for an hour (which I'm informed works on other cars).

Thanks in advance.

therein is the answer get a service plan..i locked my price in by buying a 4 year deal.. u can then insist on anything u want done and they wont contradict u..... I would never assume they do .. but if u ask its peace of mind I reckon ??!

 

[Rory]

Mike, your experience mirrors mine! When I bought my 08 S204 C220 I saw in the owners manual about an ATF change at 37k miles. The car had been supplied new and serviced from new by MB Ashford (where I was buying it!) and I am the second owner. I had a heated discussion with their service manager, who was adamant that the box was sealed for life so an ATF/filter change would be at my cost not his -

Mine was noted as sealed for life, but they introduced the change requirement just a couple of thousand VINs after mine - initially the dealer said it was it was required, until they discovered it was on a service contract.

I paid for it a couple of years later but they were most reluctant to do it. I know it was done, as they overfilled the box and it never felt quite the same afterwards - changes had been imperceptible before. I wish I'd left it alone.

As you've found, they went back to sealed-for-life when the W204 first came out.

 

[kam05]

Well I have an early w204 C220cdi Sport (OM646 evo engine) with the 5 speed auto box, it's done 97k and it's never had an auto trans fluid change - running as good as when I bought the car at 3 years old/24k on the clock.

I also asked MB about the transmission fluid changes intervals at each service and they also said the unit is sealed for life.

As already said I have no issues with my autobox.

 

[lowdrag]

I have spent a lot of time on the internet trying to find the correct answer to this problem, and as far as I am concerned this is where I am at. I have two S204 C200CDi estates, one 2012 on 90,000 and one recently bought (2014) with only 15,000. It seems that originally the gearboxes were supposedly sealed for life, but Mercedes have gone back on that advice and as mentioned above give a recommended mileage for the 5 speed and 7 speed boxes which, I believe, only came out with the face-lifted version. Last week I bought the complete oil-change kit on the internet, including filter, gaskets and oil for £130, and using a friend's lift we changed the oil for the first time at 90,000. It was black, sticky, the filter almost blocked and I believe we caught the box just in time. Now I can sleep easy. The new car I'll do next year regardless of mileage since it will be six years old and obviously has seen little use and probably short distances, which will lead to condensation inside the box. However, will the box need regular oil changes in future? I can find no definite answer to this, so will in future change the oil every 30,000 on the older car because now it has become a shopping trolley and will do short journeys only. I usually keep my cars to about 300,000 miles and with the previous S202 five speed changed the oil for the first time at 100,000 and it wasn't in anywhere near the poor condition of the 7G in the S204, and I changed it regularly every 50,000 after that. We never had a problem with the car at all as far as the box is concerned. Now as to whether the correct recommendation is once at 75,000 for the 7G and that's it for life I have no answer, but prevention being better than the cure I shall carry out the changes as detailed above. Hope this helps.

 

[Gazwould]

Last year I phoned two main dealers and two Merc independents .

They all said every 5 years or 77,500 miles for the 7g+ .

 

[johnsco]

I've never really bought into the "sealed for life" idea.
An auto-transmission is a precision and finely-adjusted system which contains very many moving parts.
In addition to the metallic parts which, with use, will create fine particles in the fluid, there are also many friction components ... clutch-packs, etc., which will create a "soup" of friction particles.
ATFs are specifically-designed for very-specific friction characteristics as well as for lubricating properties.
It is therefore logical that the ATF needs changing periodically to maintain the lubricating and friction characteristics needed.

I try not to be too-precious about how often or how many miles.
Important things ...
1. Forget "sealed for life" ... Do your ATF and filter changes .... I tend to aim for 50,000 miles (more if you use the car for towing)
2. It is essential to use only the ATF specified for the car.

When I ran W126 or W210 MBs, I used Millers Dexron III.
For my present (and much-more complicated) W211 E280 CDi, I only use the fluid supplied by MB main dealers.