vegastud

i bought a 2000 C230 Kompressor. it has 94,000 miles and is in great condition with no leaks. i was thinking of changing the transmission fluid. a mechanic friend told me the transmission on the Kompressors are built so they never need a transmission service. moreover he said anything with that many miles without a transmission service is asking for trouble if i service it.

he said if i were to service the transmission it might start slipping because the old transmission fluid acts as microscopic ball bearings and cushins the gears.

anyone have any input or ideas?
vegas

vegastud

i have done more research and come across a link that backs up what my mechanic friend said.

http://autos.aol.com/auto-repair-blo...mission-fluid/

so i have a few questions....

--why should i service the transmission for a chance that it will fail?
--if the transmission was meant to be service free, then why service it?

any input would be greatly appreciated
vegas

AMGC

haha yeah... mercedes sealed for life trannys. the tranny fluid should be changed. the old tranny fluid is microscopic ball bearings after 954000 miles where as the new fluid will be microscopic ball bearings after 0 miles.

w202305

i have 99 c230kompressor it only has 46000 miles and i change my transmission fluid when the car had only 40000 and it work better, changing the fluid is the best thing u can do is easy it take only 40 minutes. bmw are the only that have a tranny sealed for life well thats what my 01 740i has when u get under the car

Ausmbtech

Change the oil and filter. Don't worry about flushing it.

The important part is the filter (they block up) and add a magnet to the pan if it doesn't have one (probably doesn't).

These transmissions fail either due to low oil level, blocked filters or wear that was going to occur with new oil or old.

New oil just makes it last longer.

Some cars it isn't a good idea to service them after a long period without a service because they "sludge-up" and the new oil removes that sluge which brings new problems, I've yet to see a MB 722.6 transmission sludge up at all.

Untertürkheim

+1 and use the proper MB fluid and filter.

MB has said that they were wrong and the transmissions are not service free. They should be serviced at every 3rd service.

GlockDaddy

+1 +1 On the MB 722.6 Transmissions, the clutch packs lock up in every gear (1-5) compared to a conventional American or Japanese transmission which will "slip" in every gear until it locks up in high or overdrive.

Consequently the MB transmission will experience a lot less friction and heat and breakdown of the fluid. With that in mind MBNA thought that they could get away with the "Lifetime" fluid gimmick, but what they have found is that dirt still manages to find it's way into the transmission which can restrict flow through the trans filter, hence the need for the 30 - 40k mile fluid changes.

I have the same car, bought it used at 68k, changed the fluid at 80k and found out it hadn't been changed either. Works even better now.

Another thing that may help improve trans shifting is cleaning the Mass Air Sensor, but that's a topic for another thread...

Oh, and make sure you use only MB Trans fluid.

Good luck!

ohlord

transmission.Mercedes caught on by 2003 w211 models and complaints from owners.Factory TSB issued saying change fluid and filter at 39k miles.You are well past that so it is time.
Use only mb spec fluid.You will need the special dipstick(I have them for $45 delivered,Pan magnet included for $50 total.Free phone support
Autohausaz.com has the locking tab and fluid.)
DIY on benzworld.org w210 diy section and mercedesshop.com resource section diy articles.
Drain don't flush

So I have a few questions
the link that backs your friend up,is your car a toyota?
Is your mechanic friend a mercedes mechanic or does he even know anything at all about the 5speed 722.6 transmission?
find a new mechanic friend
he knows not of what he speaks

Dirt does not find its way into the transmission,the graphite wears off the internals and moves into the fluid affecting wear,shift quality,and the sensors located on top of the valve body.
While doing the fluid job it is a good idea to inspect and replace the electrical connector at the transmission on the passenger side.