question - when is it time to flush transmission fluid?
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From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
question - when is it time to flush transmission fluid?
as the title says..
when is it time to flush the transmission fluid? car is 06 C230 SS... currently 55k miles... not noticing anything.. so far so good.. only regular A/B service done in the car..
when is it time to flush the transmission fluid? car is 06 C230 SS... currently 55k miles... not noticing anything.. so far so good.. only regular A/B service done in the car..
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The transmission fluid & filter should be changed every 60,000Km or 38,000 miles as in ROW if you want long tranny life. Use the latest fluid Fuchs Titan 4134 or genuine.
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From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
i've talked to the dealership about flushing the transmission fluid, they said they don't do it, but they'll do something like filter change, etc.. not sure the complete detail on that work, but not a complete flush.. they charge like 350+ something for this service
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07 c230
I just did one at the beginning of the week on mine i didnt have any service records and i was at 61k so i figure i better do it.I mean trans filter service,people get flush and service mixed up you dont have to do a flush just a service which is changing the fluid and filter.
I believe the reason the recommended interval is 39k then dont ever touch again is to get all the manufacturing debris and initial parts wear debris out.I dont really care how good the trans is i will do mine from now on at about a 39k interval,it gets pricey but these cars are very reliable with proper care.
PS
I did feel a hair bit of difference after doing it.and the full job itself is a little bit of a pain but not the hardest just time consuming.
The reason the service is so much is because of the cost of fluid at 17.50 a quart and almost ten quarts plus filter and gasket your at about 230 in parts.but i do recommend having it done.
I believe the reason the recommended interval is 39k then dont ever touch again is to get all the manufacturing debris and initial parts wear debris out.I dont really care how good the trans is i will do mine from now on at about a 39k interval,it gets pricey but these cars are very reliable with proper care.
PS
I did feel a hair bit of difference after doing it.and the full job itself is a little bit of a pain but not the hardest just time consuming.
The reason the service is so much is because of the cost of fluid at 17.50 a quart and almost ten quarts plus filter and gasket your at about 230 in parts.but i do recommend having it done.
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
phil so u are sayn to do the fuel and filter and not flush/??
i also have 57K and have never had anything done besides standard oil changes but was thinking about getting tran and brake flush , if thats recommended, soon
i also have 57K and have never had anything done besides standard oil changes but was thinking about getting tran and brake flush , if thats recommended, soon
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07 c230
Yes i would do the trans service which is not a flush but a filter and gasket change along with fresh fluid.There really is no need to flush a trans that term is actually outdated and most car cant actually have a flush done anyway.
Vdub i would still have it done,there will be people to tell you they dont touch them but in all reality all fluid gets dirty/old after a while.Plus mb put a filter there for a reason.And which car are you refering to the 320?
And for a heads up to you i know in 04-05 there was a revision for the trans filter which also means you will need a new pan and gasket and overflow tube which are also revised,that can get pretty pricey.But thats if you dont already have the revised setup on your car.
As for a brake flush that is a service that should actually be flushed and i think by mb is supposed to be done every 2 years.As it is a service that should be generally done every 2 years i have seen many cars that it almost never gets touched unless needed or repairs were made,but would be something i would keep up on for those who like to keep up to date services.
Vdub i would still have it done,there will be people to tell you they dont touch them but in all reality all fluid gets dirty/old after a while.Plus mb put a filter there for a reason.And which car are you refering to the 320?
And for a heads up to you i know in 04-05 there was a revision for the trans filter which also means you will need a new pan and gasket and overflow tube which are also revised,that can get pretty pricey.But thats if you dont already have the revised setup on your car.
As for a brake flush that is a service that should actually be flushed and i think by mb is supposed to be done every 2 years.As it is a service that should be generally done every 2 years i have seen many cars that it almost never gets touched unless needed or repairs were made,but would be something i would keep up on for those who like to keep up to date services.
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
ehh, its always when u have no issues with trans or brakes that u always ignore going in....as i have..
ive had the front pads changed at 26K miles, but ive noticed my rotors are looking like that have grooves in them....but i havent had any sensors go off, even for the rears which is completely stock..
trans shifts fine....but ill get the filter fluid done soon, now that i have 800 $ in coupons lol...
ive had the front pads changed at 26K miles, but ive noticed my rotors are looking like that have grooves in them....but i havent had any sensors go off, even for the rears which is completely stock..
trans shifts fine....but ill get the filter fluid done soon, now that i have 800 $ in coupons lol...
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Dealers don't like flushing because they want to charge the most for the least amount of work. A standard filter & fluid change replaces less than half the fluid which is fine if done every 39Kmiles.
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...0flush1-1-.pdf
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...0flush2-1-.pdf
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
i was calling around a few local dealers to get prices on service
they told me , that a trann flush is around 300, and a trans service with dropping pan. fluid and filter is around 400. He said teh latter includes a flush (not sure if thats true)
with the brakes, flush is 120 bucks.
i also need new rotors / pads in front.. should i get one done before the other or does it matter???
i kinda wanna get things done seperatly as i have a few 100 dollar coupons i want to use at diff places if i can.
they told me , that a trann flush is around 300, and a trans service with dropping pan. fluid and filter is around 400. He said teh latter includes a flush (not sure if thats true)
with the brakes, flush is 120 bucks.
i also need new rotors / pads in front.. should i get one done before the other or does it matter???
i kinda wanna get things done seperatly as i have a few 100 dollar coupons i want to use at diff places if i can.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I was reading somewhere that a "flush" is bad and a lot of people have problems after a flush.
Flush is not the same as a drop the pan, replace filter and fluid.
With a flush you hook up the two lines that goes into the radiator to a machine which sucks in the used oil and at the same time pumps in the new oil. The problem with this is all the metal shavings and such gets pushed into parts of the transmission. Reading on many other forums on the "flush" almost everyone had a problem with their transmission after a little while. I do not recommend a flush. Just drop the pan, replace the filter and fluid.
Here is a video of a flush (not the same as an oil and filter change). Also there are idiotic comments on the board that you don't need to replace the filter. This is false, you must also change the filter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjxmlrbpjTk
Flush is not the same as a drop the pan, replace filter and fluid.
With a flush you hook up the two lines that goes into the radiator to a machine which sucks in the used oil and at the same time pumps in the new oil. The problem with this is all the metal shavings and such gets pushed into parts of the transmission. Reading on many other forums on the "flush" almost everyone had a problem with their transmission after a little while. I do not recommend a flush. Just drop the pan, replace the filter and fluid.
Here is a video of a flush (not the same as an oil and filter change). Also there are idiotic comments on the board that you don't need to replace the filter. This is false, you must also change the filter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjxmlrbpjTk
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I changed the fluid in the pan, the fluid in the torque converter and a filter. Around 9 liters of fluid. During my oil change we were pumping in the oil and out of no where oil started to spill out from top of the tranny. In a panic we also dropped the camera in fluid and till now we are trying to recover the data lool. When you pump around 6-7 liters start the tranny so the torque converter takes in the oil so you have room to pump the rest (but don't leaving it too long since you have to get a temperature at the end for the overflow method).
Last edited by W203E35; Jun 27, 2011 at 03:13 PM.
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
hmmm...so its better to leave the metal filings in the system then to "flush" them out
interesting that dealers charge more for the filter and fluid than for the flsuh cuz i was told by an indy mercs guy that when they do it, they do it all together for about 400 bucks....
he said the TC holds abt 3 quarts of fluid that has to be flushed out, so they use 15 quarts to get it all out, and then fill the proper amount of 9, along with filter etc
interesting that dealers charge more for the filter and fluid than for the flsuh cuz i was told by an indy mercs guy that when they do it, they do it all together for about 400 bucks....
he said the TC holds abt 3 quarts of fluid that has to be flushed out, so they use 15 quarts to get it all out, and then fill the proper amount of 9, along with filter etc
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From: Dunstable, ,Ma
Nowhere ...Fast
weird how all these responses and recommendations are different...i was just at dealerships and the maintanence department told me every 100K, which i have done at 100K...and about to do my 200K one...and no they dont recommend or do complete tranny fluid change...they something about sealed torque converter...hence they only do 3.5-4 qt flushes with filter etc change...so i got that with my $100 coupon and will be flushing it in the next month or so 
BTW, Mike noticing naything familiar below?
BTW, Mike noticing naything familiar below?
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C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
What about the old fashioned flush, like I did, where you simply pour the fluid in the top (5 speed), and then disconnect a line and pump a couple quarts at a time? I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with that.
I guess what you're talking about is replacing all the fluid but not dropping the pan, and then pumping all the crap thats in the pan all through the tranny.
I guess what you're talking about is replacing all the fluid but not dropping the pan, and then pumping all the crap thats in the pan all through the tranny.
I was reading somewhere that a "flush" is bad and a lot of people have problems after a flush.
Flush is not the same as a drop the pan, replace filter and fluid.
With a flush you hook up the two lines that goes into the radiator to a machine which sucks in the used oil and at the same time pumps in the new oil. The problem with this is all the metal shavings and such gets pushed into parts of the transmission. Reading on many other forums on the "flush" almost everyone had a problem with their transmission after a little while. I do not recommend a flush. Just drop the pan, replace the filter and fluid.
Here is a video of a flush (not the same as an oil and filter change). Also there are idiotic comments on the board that you don't need to replace the filter. This is false, you must also change the filter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjxmlrbpjTk
Flush is not the same as a drop the pan, replace filter and fluid.
With a flush you hook up the two lines that goes into the radiator to a machine which sucks in the used oil and at the same time pumps in the new oil. The problem with this is all the metal shavings and such gets pushed into parts of the transmission. Reading on many other forums on the "flush" almost everyone had a problem with their transmission after a little while. I do not recommend a flush. Just drop the pan, replace the filter and fluid.
Here is a video of a flush (not the same as an oil and filter change). Also there are idiotic comments on the board that you don't need to replace the filter. This is false, you must also change the filter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjxmlrbpjTk
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From: Dunstable, ,Ma
Nowhere ...Fast
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Todd, people talk a lot of crap. Obviously a full flush is the best thing to do. A total fluid change will always be better than a partial change. It will not cause any problems that are not there already.
This "sealed" TC is also a misnomer. It's not sealed. It has an undrilled blank where the drain should be. It was deleted to save money & has been reintroduced. If you buy a new TC it will come with a drain plug. It nevertheless is part of the oil circulation system.
MBUSA caused all this crap because American's chuck out cars earlier than ROW. 100K changes & filled for life will lead to failure. ROW has always been & still is a fluid & filter change every 39K miles or 60K Km's.
This "sealed" TC is also a misnomer. It's not sealed. It has an undrilled blank where the drain should be. It was deleted to save money & has been reintroduced. If you buy a new TC it will come with a drain plug. It nevertheless is part of the oil circulation system.
MBUSA caused all this crap because American's chuck out cars earlier than ROW. 100K changes & filled for life will lead to failure. ROW has always been & still is a fluid & filter change every 39K miles or 60K Km's.
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07 c230
Todd, people talk a lot of crap. Obviously a full flush is the best thing to do. A total fluid change will always be better than a partial change. It will not cause any problems that are not there already.
The fact is vdub benz recommended interval is 39k but it is suppose to be a one time service then filled for life (apparently),but the problem with this is that hydraulic fluid as with all oils will breakdown eventually so you really do need to keep regular service on the trans for optimum performance.
Again since you didnt go over the interval by that much a standard pan drop and filter/fluid change is all that is needed as long as you follow the 39k interval from now on.Just because your car can go 100k with out a problem doesnt mean its ok.
The other thing is that the 722.9 7 speeds have a TC drain. The .6 doesnt and swapping out the fluid in it will eventually happen overtime with regular services.And it will not hurt anything ihad 61k when i did my filter change and i believe it was never done when i bought it at 53k.
So what i personally would do FWIW is if they let you use more than one coupon have it all done together with the brakes,AND by this i mean a conventional pan drop not flush.
-Phil
Last edited by phil240; Jun 27, 2011 at 07:39 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If one flushes correctly there is little chance of dirt transfer in the system that would do harm. No worse than the car during assembly. In fact we recently revived a transmission on this board that had ruptured it's filter & got the entire hydraulic & cooling circuit full of dirt & friction material to the degree that it would not operate (zero oil change from new). The reason I suggest a full fluid change is that the fluid that you leave behind has depleated additive content & is partially oxidised which causes shift shock deterioration. Oxidised fluid mixed with new fluid catalises oxidation of the new fluid reducing it's life. This is particularly an issue when changes have not been done at correct intervals.
That said. If your fluid is clear & bright & only slightly darkened then the half change is fine as long as you stick to the regular 39K change regime.
I also want to correct a misperception that I recently argued on the OT. These transmissions do not run on hydraulic oil although the fluid has a secondary hydraulic function. An HD hydraulic oil has an additive treat rate of 0.75%. An auto transmission fluid has an additive treat rate of 16 to 20% & uses high VI synthetic base oil.
TC drains were deleted from the 722.6 transmission in 1999 & have recently been reintroduced in models still using the 722.6 transmission. Mainly diesels.
That said. If your fluid is clear & bright & only slightly darkened then the half change is fine as long as you stick to the regular 39K change regime.
I also want to correct a misperception that I recently argued on the OT. These transmissions do not run on hydraulic oil although the fluid has a secondary hydraulic function. An HD hydraulic oil has an additive treat rate of 0.75%. An auto transmission fluid has an additive treat rate of 16 to 20% & uses high VI synthetic base oil.
TC drains were deleted from the 722.6 transmission in 1999 & have recently been reintroduced in models still using the 722.6 transmission. Mainly diesels.
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07 c230
If one flushes correctly there is little chance of dirt transfer in the system that would do harm. No worse than the car during assembly. In fact we recently revived a transmission on this board that had ruptured it's filter & got the entire hydraulic & cooling circuit full of dirt & friction material to the degree that it would not operate (zero oil change from new). The reason I suggest a full fluid change is that the fluid that you leave behind has depleated additive content & is partially oxidised which causes shift shock deterioration. Oxidised fluid mixed with new fluid catalises oxidation of the new fluid reducing it's life. This is particularly an issue when changes have not been done at correct intervals.
That said. If your fluid is clear & bright & only slightly darkened then the half change is fine as long as you stick to the regular 39K change regime.
I also want to correct a misperception that I recently argued on the OT. These transmissions do not run on hydraulic oil although the fluid has a secondary hydraulic function. An HD hydraulic oil has an additive treat rate of 0.75%. An auto transmission fluid has an additive treat rate of 16 to 20% & uses high VI synthetic base oil.
TC drains were deleted from the 722.6 transmission in 1999 & have recently been reintroduced in models still using the 722.6 transmission. Mainly diesels.
That said. If your fluid is clear & bright & only slightly darkened then the half change is fine as long as you stick to the regular 39K change regime.
I also want to correct a misperception that I recently argued on the OT. These transmissions do not run on hydraulic oil although the fluid has a secondary hydraulic function. An HD hydraulic oil has an additive treat rate of 0.75%. An auto transmission fluid has an additive treat rate of 16 to 20% & uses high VI synthetic base oil.
TC drains were deleted from the 722.6 transmission in 1999 & have recently been reintroduced in models still using the 722.6 transmission. Mainly diesels.
I didnt mean that the trans fluid was a hydraulic fluid,i meant it esentually was.Although i guess i should of watched my wording on that one but yes.
Vdub it is upto you to decide which route you wanna go with the trans but atleast make sure the pan drops and a new filter is put in whether you go the flush route or not.
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From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
yep....the indy place, which has a excellent mercs reputation ( thats alll they work on) price wise makes most sense too, everything for arouind 400, so i will probably go with that. even thoughi cant use teh coupons....
real quick for brake flush, should i get my rotors /pads done first and then do flush, or does order not matter...
real quick for brake flush, should i get my rotors /pads done first and then do flush, or does order not matter...
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
In simple terms the new 236.14 fluid was designed for longer life and more consistent performance & shift shock over the life of the fluid. The friction modifiers in the fluid are always what deteriorate first. The base oil is also a critical part of the new formulation which is one of the reasons why there are so few approved products & only one approved formulation.
The new fluid is now mandated by Benz for both 722.6 & 722.9 transmissions.
vdub - I would make the decision on what to do dependent on what the fluid that comes out looks like. So much depends on driving style & number of high torque gear changes (foot to the floorboards) - weight carried by the vehicle - operating conditions (in town vs. open road) - towing etc.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jun 27, 2011 at 10:40 PM.
