bocarats

What is official MB recommended interval (if any)?

Any "downsides" to changing in the absence of MB recommended interval?

mrbenzes

60K miles Is what I have heard, and it you wanted to change it every wekend it would not hurt, same goes for your oil. Make sure you use the MB synthetic ATF and oil only.
Mike

Corsa9000

It was declared a sealed system originally by MB thus no dipstick and no need to change ever. Now they have changed it to every 30K miles. It should cost at MB service around $400, Independent shops will charge less, fluid, filter and gasket.

Good insurance to change it every 30K miles.

mrbenzes

Mike has 52K miles and I plan on changing mine soon...I bought the MB ATF on EBAY for $11 qt delivered, I bought the dipstick as well but it is a bit crude (it is a universal type) I plan on exactly measuring how much fluid comes out and replacing the exact same amount (if possible with some aded to compensate for cleaning rags, etc). Should be very straightforward as ATF changes go.
Mike

Corsa9000

This service is more than just replacing the fluid. The filter and gasket need to be changed too. Also, keep in mind that you can never drain all the fluid from an automatic transmission since there are infinite crevices and mazes in there.

Some people do it the crude way and just suck all they can from the top (dipstick) and replenish what they removed. Not a great approach since you are leaving most of the metal shavings in there.

Dropping the pan below, changing the filter is a must IMO. Some keep adding fluid from the top while the pan is removed hoping to wash more metal shavings in the process. Some, refill, start the car, drive for an hour and come back and do it again, hoping to remove more metal particles with new fluid going through the channels.

It all depends on how fussy you want to be.

Trinsoca

Also after removing the filter and oil pan let them drain. Do not forget that you will still have fluid draining from the tranny so catch all that fluid also. I have the 7 speed and I am not sure about yours but there is a drain plug/bolt on the torque converter.

nachilus

I just changed my transmission oil and spark plugs (Denso Iridiums
), let me say the shifting is more responsive and the car get up and go.

appliedsense

yes on the 7 speed there is some kind of drain plug for the converter

appliedsense

but at 1 o'clock position on the transmission there is a "plug-in" electrical sensor circuit of some kind - it has a tendency to leak transmission fluid - comes lose. Have it replaced at 10k but at 40K I saw leak under - decided to change fluid and had a new "O ring" - anybody knows a better fix for this?

I8NM5

Also ! Check Your TCU for Oil Seepage! There's a Known Leak from the Wire Harness that seeps OIL into your TCU!!! Check it and have your friendly MBZ Dealer Warranty it !

mrbenzes

I am changing mine now and see that my electrical connector has a small leak. I pulled the pan and cleaned everything and changed the filter...no drain plug that I can find on the converter. mine has the 5 speed. It only took 2.5 quarts with the pan removal. I have the pan back on now, drove about 10 miles and have drained again. Once I get the connector o-rings installed I aill put another 2.5 quarts in, drive 10 miles, and do it for a third time. That should cover it for another 30-40K. I am seeing on the MB tech docs that there is a flush you can do with a pump and kerosene...maybe I'll do that one next time for a really good flush. My car has 53K on it now.
Mike

malahhaor

I thought they used to say its good for 100K miles?
My S500 just got to 89K and i changed it. Looks like the previous owner took care of it well, the fluid still had some color to it and almost no metal shavings. So i'm assuming they changed it w/o waiting 100K. I'll change it in another 40 or so.
I'm lucky to have a guy at the Benz dealer that does work on the side. Cost me 400 bucks. its over 520 if i go through to dealer. They also use some really funky aluminum bolts that stretch as you tighten them, so those can't /should not be reused. He showed them to me it was the freakiest thing ever. The bolt is about inch and a half but so light you can't feel it on your hand.

jd986s

The official MB recommendation is 39k miles. There is a drain plug for 5 spd tranny (AMG and V12), not for 7 speed (W220 S class).

rondocap

My connector was leaking at around 100k, so I had that changed along with the oil/filter. Car has 155k now and no problems, I but I may do a flush again just in case.

ohlord

is a lot to pay for trans fluid and a filter.
You might want to find a different friend at the dealer,he did you no favor on an under $70 job.

mrbenzes

I have completed mine now, I did replace the electrical connector when I found it was only a $16 piece. No leaks whatsoever and I have greater piece of mind for sure. The job ended up costing me 9 qts of MBZ fluid = $90 (Ebay), plus the $16 connector, plus the filter and gasket $16, for a total of $122. I did all of the labor myself but it was simple.
No drain plug on the converter though.....I wish there were..> I drained thw pan three times and refilled. next time I will try the flush with a hand pump as described in the maintenance CD.
I cant really tell a difference in power but the shift times seem to be faster and crisper.
Mike

Chuchu2004

HI,

I'm a new member. Where is the transmission fluid drain plug for 2004 S55? I attempt to change the transmission fluid. Please help, anyone!

mrbenzes

It is the allen screw in the tranny pan. There is no plug on the torque converter for the 2005 model...
Good Luck.

Mike