Front differential fluid change frequency?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Front differential fluid change frequency?
How often is the front differential fluid supposed to be changed according to Mercedes? I've looked through my maintenance manual and don't see it listed at all. My dealer says every 40K miles though.
BTW, I'm not talking about transmission fluid, which I know needs to be done every 40K.
Thanks.
BTW, I'm not talking about transmission fluid, which I know needs to be done every 40K.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
The following is the info I found in a 2011 service manual, which is more detailed than my 2008 service manual. Only the auto trans fluid is to be changed at 40K. And neither the front axle nor the rear axle fluid is to be changed at that time. And it's not to be changed any time after 40K either. I guess MB must be considering a lifetime fluid. Uhh...
Last edited by Pete7874; Nov 29, 2013 at 09:51 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
From: Northampton PA
99 E 300TD, 02 E320, 2013 ML350
Yes, the fluid does not have to be changed but I guarantee you will eventually have to remove the front diff and reseal. I have torn apart many of these to install new seals. subframe has to be removed to access diff. Although Benz does not recommend fluid change, I personally don't like to see anything go past 100k without new fluid. The only bad part with these diffs is they don't have a fill port. They have a drain on the bottom but the only way to fill is to removed the r/f axle and fill .6 L of fluid through the axle opening.
