hi . my c320 4matic is about to hit 50k miles. is there any maintenance work i sholud do besides changing oil once in a while ? thanks

 

Check your torque strut bushings for leakage and cracked rubber. They seem to last about 30 to 50K miles. Not sure on the 4matic but on the 2WD change the "lifetime" trans fluid and filter, and continue changing the fluid every 50K. Any 4matic owners out there with different recommendations for trans and differentials maintenance?

 

Wise advice. Castor bushes



See bulletin - Ignore VIN numbers. Applies to all W203


https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...h-bulletin.pdf

 

If it hasn't been done yet, coolant flush.

 

& if not done yet - brake fluid flush & change

 

thanks for resopond guys . i ll check this bushing. does benz need some special coolant ? any recommendation for tranny oil ?

 

Extended life on the coolant....make sure it meets MB specs. Use only MB trans fluid, it's expensive but worth it. There's lots of opinions on changing the trans fluid. I originally believed MB that it was "lifetime" and many people on this forum are of the 'change it at 50K (or earlier) miles' belief. I should have listened to them. I had the fluid analyzed at different intervals and for my usage it started breaking down to the point of losing its' effectiveness at about 130K miles. There's no plug to drain the torque converter so your choices are do a real exchange (inline with hose that goes to trans cooler, cycle all the gear valves) or just drain the trans from the plug. You should change the coarse filter the first time whichever method you choose. Exchange is VERY expensive because you need at least 10 quarts of fluid to do it right (so I'm told). 4 quarts from the plug. If you wait like I did you either have to do an exchange or several plug drains to get the dilution to a decent level. I couldn't find anyone, including the dealer, to do an exchange the correct way so I drained, changed filter, added fluid, and drained again twice to get it to where I was comfortable. Now I'll drain every 50K miles and the fluid should maintain it's effectiveness level.

 

oh man . . changin tranny oil sound like major PITA. how much indy shops usually charge to do it ?

 

This is only necessary if you have a 2004 or earlier vehicle. 2005 and on has a different coolant system w/ a special gel pack in the reservoir. MB says it lasts 14 years or 140k miles I believe (I might be off by a bit, it's in the service booklet that comes w the car).

I'm not saying to just skip it though, obviously they are wrong about the "lifetime" transmission fluid, so I would have a good look at the coolant and test it for freeze protection. If it passes and looks clean, then it should be fine.