ChuckinTucson

I tried the search function once again before starting a new thread. I put in "transmission service" and get threads dealing with aftermarket bi-xenon headlights, so gave up.

My question is: How much should a transmission service cost? I presume this would involve replacing the fluid and changing the filter. It seems in the back of my head I heard a figure of about $500 from the dealer. Does this seem like the normal cost?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can share.

mleskovar

Too high, I paid $250....

holycaoAMG

I did post a thread about this last month, btw..

At my local indy, it cost me $300.
That includes the pan drop, filter change, gasket change, drain about 5 qts out and replace with 5 qts OEM ATF. (notice this wasnt a flush).
Parts alone is about $220 if you wanna DIY.

dnlow

I had a flush, complete change of 12 liters, done for $255 at a dealer. They originally wanted $300, but I always ask for a discount. They never seem to say no, so I pretty much always ask for it. I recommend others do it.

eriklin

Go dealer won't cost you over $300
I had mine done in dealer for $249.99

phoenix_iii

I would think a drain and fill is better than a flush. Old school = complete flush = too much new = too much new slippery fluid/detergent = slipping trans soon on an auto.

ChuckinTucson

As always, this board comes through. I just wish the search function worked better. I called the dealer in Tucson who quoted $495, so my memory did serve me correctly. I then called Schumacher in Scottsdale who wanted $350. Mercedes Benz of Chandler just quoted $300, but said that that wouldn't include a filter as according to them it doesn't need to be replaced until 70,000 and I have just over 40,000 on the car.

One thing I've noticed about calling these dealers . . . they all have not only different prices, but they all tell you different things as to what should be done. Time to find an honest indy to go to as the warranty expires on the car tomorrow.

whalebird

I don't think that new fluid will make the trans. slip. I've never heard that and I have done complete trans flushes for years on a large variety of different cars and trucks. Never had that problem, in fact, the opposite would occur.

phoenix_iii

That's interesting. I've had a number of people post that doing a complete flush and fill ruined a trans (not on this forum). If there is a lot of grit/etc in the fluid, and it is replaced with new clean fluid, that too much friction material is now gone and the trans dies shortly afterwards.

I would like to think that a full flush is always good, but after have both techs and people post the above, I'm not too certain either way. I would imagine just do it at the right interval and it's not a problem.

i_am_amused

It makes no sense to me that removing "a lot of grit/etc in the fluid" would cause a transmission, or any other geared device, to fail "shortly afterwords".

phoenix_iii

It's not the gears so much as the fibrous clutch plates, I imagine. It's not just gears banging together. I've tried to study at www.howstuffworks.com how an auto trans works... yikes. =)

Bottom line is to just stay up with the recommended service (or service sooner). =)

Example of one of many
http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...-clutch-plates

vdubpower

how many miles on the car when this is needed?
i have 42K and havent done any majore work except oil changes at local shop

he did mention i had an some oil valve leak and i should get it done at dealer cuz of extd warrenty covereage

i_am_amused

It makes no sense to me that removing "a lot of grit/etc in the fluid" would cause a transmission, or any other device designed to work with clean fluid, to fail "shortly afterwords".

ChrisBrown

I had mine done at Schumacher. Top notch service, and 12,000 miles later no issues.

whalebird

phoenix iii, I am familiar with the debate on trans services(I am a benz/Porsche factory tech) and one thing I can say is that an auto trans is a sensitive piece of machinery. You are absolutly correct in just change the fluid when specified. I will take this further and say you cannot change it to often. Always use the specified fluid and I like to use the factory fill fluid from the dealer in whatever respective automobile. This can turn into a nasty debate as there are tons of conjecture out there in cyber space. Personally, I have 52k on my 05 c230 and will do a trans service before 60k - I have little reservation that any damage will be done. In contrast my Ford f150 didn't have its first service until 125k and it has 225k now with only two flushes since. This defies logic in the Ford community as lots of people say don't do a flush after 75k as it will do exactly what you stated.
Bottom line - do it every 36k with factory fill fluid and you will most likely have a happy slushbox for many miles.

phoenix_iii

I hear that. Does that include the filter too at 36k?

Glyn M Ruck

As an oil industry man I can assure you that you can never change auto fluids too often. New fluid will never cause the multi wet plate clutches to slip in a box that is in good condition - it will prolong their life. The fluids all have friction modifiers in them to allow a controlled amount of slip before lock up. This additive becomes depleted over time. Change Benz auto boxes at max 60,000 miles. In many torrid markets they recommend every 60,000 Kms. If you know you drive hard or tow with the vehicle then halve that drain interval.

Ford boxes designed to run on fluids meeting M2C33F or M2C33G (Type F or Type G) were generally crap gearboxes anyway. I've heard every excuse in the book as to why they fail. F & G fluids are designed for quick lock up. If you top up with even a small quantity of Dexron II (old GM fluid) you will burn out their puny clutches.

MOBC200K

I done this service about a month ago with 60 on the clock parts didn't cost me more than 100 euros that was for the filter and gasket i didn't need oil cos I've aft oil here and only took 30 mins. no way would i pay more than 250 in a main dealer and i thought Ireland was bad for getting ripped off

krisv420

Damn look at all the ppl wasting money at the stealer ship.... Just DIY and save your self money!

MOBC200K

Yea its unreal but then again i had a lift to put the car on would kinda be a pain in th **** to do it on the floor

Emin

$300 at the high end and about $200 at the lowest

W203E35

You can't DIY on the new transmissions. The dealer uses a special tool.

Norwichdelta06

I've heard more good then bad about transmissions flushes. Keep in mind when you do a flush all your doing replacing the fluid. But also keep in mind when flushes are done transsmission fluid is vacummed out the way it goes it and the filter is probably not designed for that kind've application. I've heard stories of tranmissions getting messed up because the flushes destroyed the filter and the filter pieces mixed in with the tranmission. My advice you can never go wrong with a pan drop...filter change and new gasket. And plus you can actually see how your tranmission is doing by the particle that stick to the magnetic bottom of the pan. If it cost more to do the drop pay the extra 100 dollars it's a lot bette then buying/rebuilding a tranmission. Cheap insurance

LILBENZ230

On the 7G transmission in the 2006-2007 M272-equipped cars, the dealership is required to do the transmission fluid replacement. Mercedes-Benz vehicles are "just" cars, but a lot of the stuff is special - what's right for a Honda may or may not be right on a Benz. Keep this in mind.

Norwichdelta06

so the dealer has to do it? Non one else can for the 7G tranmission? even dediciated tranmission shops? And at what mileage 60K?