Diff Oil DIY
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sydney - Australia
2005 C200K Sports Obsidian Black on Black
Diff Oil DIY
Does anyone have a DIY on changing your diff oil, I have a 2005 C200 Sedan with 80,000Km and want to do this as a preventative.
Need to know:
What type of Oil would MB recommend?
Is there a drain plug?
Do I need any special tools?
Does anyone have any pictures?
Your help is appreciated.
Need to know:
What type of Oil would MB recommend?
Is there a drain plug?
Do I need any special tools?
Does anyone have any pictures?
Your help is appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
MB recommends Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90 for both front and rear differentials.
There is a drain plug on the differentials. Quick peak under the car... you will see the size/type (HEX/Square) plug.
Procedure is very simple -
Lift the car, as necessary
put a pan under the drain plug,
remove (or at least loosen) the fill plug... yes, the fill plug
remove the drain plug (let the old fluid drain out),
Put back the drain plug with a new copper washer/seal.
pour new fluid thru the fill hole. This can be tricky because you won't have much space to work with. You may need protable pump.
I suggested to remove the fill plug first because if you remove the drain plug first and remove all the differential fluid and you then realize that the fill plug is rusted and doesn't come out, then you are screwed :-) So, it's prudent to first at least confirm that the fill plug is removable and then proceed with removing the drain plug.
Also, before you remove the drain plug, look at the fill plug and see how much space you have above that fill plug. Like I said, if you remove the old fluid and realize there is no room to pour the new bottle and you don't have a pump...
good luck.
There is a drain plug on the differentials. Quick peak under the car... you will see the size/type (HEX/Square) plug.
Procedure is very simple -
Lift the car, as necessary
put a pan under the drain plug,
remove (or at least loosen) the fill plug... yes, the fill plug
remove the drain plug (let the old fluid drain out),
Put back the drain plug with a new copper washer/seal.
pour new fluid thru the fill hole. This can be tricky because you won't have much space to work with. You may need protable pump.
I suggested to remove the fill plug first because if you remove the drain plug first and remove all the differential fluid and you then realize that the fill plug is rusted and doesn't come out, then you are screwed :-) So, it's prudent to first at least confirm that the fill plug is removable and then proceed with removing the drain plug.
Also, before you remove the drain plug, look at the fill plug and see how much space you have above that fill plug. Like I said, if you remove the old fluid and realize there is no room to pour the new bottle and you don't have a pump...
good luck.
Last edited by pcy; Aug 12, 2010 at 02:19 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 858
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From: New Joisey
13 Jeep JKU Sahara w/4" lift Kit & the works,2015 Toyota Sienna XLE,2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
HAHA good write up PCY will keep it handy as I might look at doing this at my next service interval.........do you know the capacity of fill, i mena how muhc should you fill in each diff......or juts measure what came out and fill that muhc plus a little bit more......>????????
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
Rear differential - 1.0 Qt. or 1.2 Qt. depending on what model your car is
Front differential - 0.5 Qt.
Your Onwer's manual will list the capacity - please check.
Typically, you continue to fill the differential until it starts to over-flow from the filling hole. That is, even if you continue to pour more, it will come out anyway.
If your car is 4Matic, while doing the differential fluids, you might as well do the transfer case fluid.
Front differential - 0.5 Qt.
Your Onwer's manual will list the capacity - please check.
Typically, you continue to fill the differential until it starts to over-flow from the filling hole. That is, even if you continue to pour more, it will come out anyway.
If your car is 4Matic, while doing the differential fluids, you might as well do the transfer case fluid.
Last edited by pcy; Aug 12, 2010 at 05:16 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
my comment about the 'transfer case fluid change' is applicable if the car is a 4Matic.
Otherwise, please ignore the comment about transfer case fluid change.
Otherwise, please ignore the comment about transfer case fluid change.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 456
Likes: 4
From: Canada
2003 c240 4matic wagon
Im about to do this as well on my 03 c240 4matic
now here in canada the 3 mb dealers i called use valvoline 80w 90
which is NOT mb spec......
so im going to buy it from the dealership and if problems arise from it its thier fault!
now here in canada the 3 mb dealers i called use valvoline 80w 90
which is NOT mb spec......
so im going to buy it from the dealership and if problems arise from it its thier fault!
