Tranny Flush? When to service? 60-70k?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Tranny Flush? When to service? 60-70k?
I have just over 70,000 on my w203 and the tranny mount is being replaced today. I was thinking about having the tranny fluid flushed and replaced. What is the recommended mileage for this service and is there a specific type of fluid to use? I would need to call this into the shop so any responses are appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Could I purchase this fluid at the local dealership with the filter then bring it to my INDY to have serviced? The tranny mount has been pushed till next week and I'm thinking of having this done at the same time.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Don't buy from dealer buy from here http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ry...oductDetail.do
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Thanks guys, it is really appreciated. How many bottles or quarts would I need and is there a link for the filter as well? Sorry for so many questions, I'm learning more about servicing the longer I own the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Make sure whoever does it does not overfill the transmission.. it will make a mess, scare you to death, you'll have it towed unnecessarily and have a general lack of trust of the car for a week or so... maybe it's just me? 
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Saab 900 SE
Def make sure a shop who has a clue does it, the cars tranny atleast on the 7g when I watched it done, temp has to be at like 160 for it to work right, and they have to overfill it to then drain it down to the correct full amount, its really wierd. Just make sure you bring it to a MB shop or dealer, tuffy wont cut it for that
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The 722.6 transmission is easy to service. Drain, drop the pan. pop on a new filter, clean the magnet - new gasket, reassemble & fill up fluid to the correct level - need a thermometer of choice & the correct dipstick. Good DIY's in the stickies.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Hmmm, I might shell out the cash and have the dealership do this to make sure it is done correctly. Does anyone know what the cost associated with this service would be at the dealer?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Take it to the dealer if you want to pay 300% more than what you could have it done for at an indy. Just use the correct fluid and make sure to get the fluid level correct. You should avoid the dealer if possible - there is no reason to overpay. The 722.6 is simple, as Glyn said.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Take it to the dealer if you want to pay 300% more than what you could have it done for at an indy. Just use the correct fluid and make sure to get the fluid level correct. You should avoid the dealer if possible - there is no reason to overpay. The 722.6 is simple, as Glyn said.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Taking it to a dealer is no guarantee. They have blatant disregard for Mercedes' own specifications - regularly putting diesel oil into gasoline engines, not putting the right fluid in the rear diff, etc.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Saab 900 SE
No
We charge 199.99 for a trans service on your car, call and see if your dealer is near that.
If not of course hit up an indy just make sure they where an x tech or something so its not just a guy who "knows" euro cars
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Cheapest here is $260, next cheapest is over $550.. By the way, asking questions and then answering them yourself makes you come across as a child. Do you stomp your feet at the same time?
The use of 229.51 oil in gasoline engines is widespread with dealers, we've seen it on the forum from coast to coast in the USA. It is easily to the point where no one should trust a dealer to use the correct oil. And didn't you say in another thread that it won't harm the car? You know, even though the experts and Mercedes-Benz themselves say otherwise? That's another issue I have with the dealers.. the arrogance.
OP - Avoid the dealer. Beneath that three pointed star on the hood is just a car. The 722.6 transmission is straight forward, easy to service. The 722.9 is more complicated but lots of members have managed to do it themselves. At least if you take your own parts and fluid to an indy you know what has went in your car.
Use www.ryderfleetproducts.com to buy Shell 134 ATF, it meets the MB approval 236.14 and it will be less than half the dealer charge. Buy 5 quarts for a simple change, but you'll probably only get 4 or so out. Use RMEuropean.com to buy the gasket, filter, and O-ring.
Buy an electrohydraulic bushing (also called pilot bushing) - these are known to leak on the 722.6 and can cause problems. It's cheap and if yours isn't leaking now you'll have a spare. Glyn says he keeps a spare at all times. I now have a spare, too.
The use of 229.51 oil in gasoline engines is widespread with dealers, we've seen it on the forum from coast to coast in the USA. It is easily to the point where no one should trust a dealer to use the correct oil. And didn't you say in another thread that it won't harm the car? You know, even though the experts and Mercedes-Benz themselves say otherwise? That's another issue I have with the dealers.. the arrogance.
OP - Avoid the dealer. Beneath that three pointed star on the hood is just a car. The 722.6 transmission is straight forward, easy to service. The 722.9 is more complicated but lots of members have managed to do it themselves. At least if you take your own parts and fluid to an indy you know what has went in your car.
Use www.ryderfleetproducts.com to buy Shell 134 ATF, it meets the MB approval 236.14 and it will be less than half the dealer charge. Buy 5 quarts for a simple change, but you'll probably only get 4 or so out. Use RMEuropean.com to buy the gasket, filter, and O-ring.
Buy an electrohydraulic bushing (also called pilot bushing) - these are known to leak on the 722.6 and can cause problems. It's cheap and if yours isn't leaking now you'll have a spare. Glyn says he keeps a spare at all times. I now have a spare, too.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Nov 15, 2011 at 01:59 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Many Mercedes techs don't know the cars well. I've lectured to many of them around the world. Like anything. Some are good. Some are just plain crap. Having a certificate for a tech on the dealer wall is no guarantee of competence.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Tri Star.
One of the main things when doing a transmision oil change is to have & keep everything clean. Start with a clean workplace floor /bench ect . I lay newspaper out to make sure in a farm shed! Also clean down the external area of the gearbox/pan before dismantling. Compressed air is good to remove dust that has accumulated on hard to get to areas. Make sure your tools are clean also.
Clean the magnet in pan & internals of pan throughly . Use lint free clean cloths .I do a final wash out with metholated spririts & blow dry with compressed air .
Make sure funnels & dipsticks are absolutely clean & free of lint.
I reckon the home mechanic can do a more througher job than the pros!!
One of the main things when doing a transmision oil change is to have & keep everything clean. Start with a clean workplace floor /bench ect . I lay newspaper out to make sure in a farm shed! Also clean down the external area of the gearbox/pan before dismantling. Compressed air is good to remove dust that has accumulated on hard to get to areas. Make sure your tools are clean also.
Clean the magnet in pan & internals of pan throughly . Use lint free clean cloths .I do a final wash out with metholated spririts & blow dry with compressed air .
Make sure funnels & dipsticks are absolutely clean & free of lint.
I reckon the home mechanic can do a more througher job than the pros!!
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Def make sure a shop who has a clue does it, the cars tranny atleast on the 7g when I watched it done, temp has to be at like 160 for it to work right, and they have to overfill it to then drain it down to the correct full amount, its really wierd. Just make sure you bring it to a MB shop or dealer, tuffy wont cut it for that
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Tri Star.
One of the main things when doing a transmision oil change is to have & keep everything clean. Start with a clean workplace floor /bench ect . I lay newspaper out to make sure in a farm shed! Also clean down the external area of the gearbox/pan before dismantling. Compressed air is good to remove dust that has accumulated on hard to get to areas. Make sure your tools are clean also.
Clean the magnet in pan & internals of pan throughly . Use lint free clean cloths .I do a final wash out with metholated spririts & blow dry with compressed air .
Make sure funnels & dipsticks are absolutely clean & free of lint.
I reckon the home mechanic can do a more througher job than the pros!!
One of the main things when doing a transmision oil change is to have & keep everything clean. Start with a clean workplace floor /bench ect . I lay newspaper out to make sure in a farm shed! Also clean down the external area of the gearbox/pan before dismantling. Compressed air is good to remove dust that has accumulated on hard to get to areas. Make sure your tools are clean also.
Clean the magnet in pan & internals of pan throughly . Use lint free clean cloths .I do a final wash out with metholated spririts & blow dry with compressed air .
Make sure funnels & dipsticks are absolutely clean & free of lint.
I reckon the home mechanic can do a more througher job than the pros!!
Frankly, I have had too many bad experiences with so called professionals working on my cars, that I do all my own work now. With the right tools, resources, and patience, most mechanically competent people can do their own maintenance and repairs. It certainly saves a lot of money and gives you a sense of accomplishment knowing you did it right, by yourself.
If and when I grow tired of working on my cars, I would find a good Indy. Too many bad dealer experiences. I know there are some good dealers out there, but they are certainly in the minority.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Absolutely. The other problem that Glyn pointed out in another thread is with the vast parts resources that dealer techs have at their disposal, they have essentially become parts jockeys, and just throw parts at a problem until it is resolved. Most have no automotive diagnostic skills whatsoever.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Absolutely. The other problem that Glyn pointed out in another thread is with the vast parts resources that dealer techs have at their disposal, they have essentially become parts jockeys, and just throw parts at a problem until it is resolved. Most have no automotive diagnostic skills whatsoever.
Dealers do not "repair" anything. They replace things until the problem goes away, sometimes replacing numerous things that didn't need to be replaced in the process. All this is fine and dandy on Mercedes' tab if that's what the part-swappers want to do, but it is not OK when they want you to pay. The fuel filler neck on the 2005 C230 gets them every time, for example - they throw parts of it. It's not just that, either, it's everything. Then they want you to pay the ridiculous rates so they can have marble floors in the restrooms. No thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
Thanks for all the wonderful advice. My dealership is actually very highly ranked, however most likely won't be cheap either. I think i'm going to drop it off at the Indy shop in the near future for this service. It is something i'd rather have someone else handle in the event something goes wrong, it is on them, not me.
