walee112

Does anyone know how frequently, we're supposed to change the transmission and differential fluid in our cars?

I've tried searching the threads with no concrete answers and even one thread saying that tranny fluid changes have only caused problems on their vehicles. Looking through maintenance manuals, nothing seems to even hint towards transmission maintenance. My service adviser at the local dealership told me that the tranny oil should be at every 60k, but I can't seem to confirm this info or find info on diff fluids anywhere else.
Any input guys?

Maintenance Manuals:
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...l_s_sl_amg.pdf

lkfoster

Opinions vary but I change ATF and diff oil at 40k.

moosejaw

I changed mine at 60K in my C32.
In my E55(same tranny) its supposed to be done @ 40K

walee112

does that mean it should be done again at 80k?

lkfoster

Yep. The same factors, additive depletion and clutch face wear, are there.

91RS

My opinion is that maintenance should be done more frequently on high performance vehicles, especially if you don't know the past maintenance history. I did my transmission service shortly after I bought the car (probably between 33-35k miles) and the fluid darker than I would have liked to see. So after doing the service I did 2 or 3 drain and fills to change out a little more of the fluid. If you're getting your work done by a dealer, just pay for both the flush and filter service. As far as differentials go, they get dirty fairly early, but after you change them the first time they stay clean for quite a while.

firstshadow

I change the powersteering, transmission, and differential fluid with every oil change. The fluids sure do look dirty after 10k miles!

It's a little bit of insurance - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

xxaarraa

Are you serious?! That's extreme, but whatever works for you.

I do diff, ATF every 40k.

mikekuriger

wasting oil is not necessary.

Viper98912

ATF - I did mine at 75k, have 106k now and I probably won't do another.
Diff - Never did it, but one of the diff seals was replaced once so I know it's not factory original.

firstshadow

Okay experts, whatever you say.

Have you looked at your engine oil after 10k miles? Same thing happens to the oil in the diff and transmission - it's still only oil, not some magical substance that "lasts the life of the vehicle."

+1 on what 91RS said.

xxaarraa

Eh, no. The oil properties and weights are different. Diff oil is 75-90, engine oil is obviously not. If all oil is created equal, you should just run canola oil in your engine. It works for cooking right??

mikekuriger

haha!!

firstshadow

You might as well run canola oil since you already plan on cooking.

I'll have 2 bacon and scrambled eggs

ruben65

AMG recommends you change the transmission fluid every 39k miles, or sooner if the car is driven hard constantly. Especially if you live in a hot climate like phx,az as the temperature can reach over 105+, reflective heat from ashpalt, heat from exhaust, and transmission cooling can effect the transmission oil in a shorter period of time.

Mercedes recommends 100,000 miles for their other cars unless extreme driving conditions exist, such as hard driving or extreme climate heat.

I change mine in all my Mercedes at 40,000 miles.

walee112

what can you guys add on about diff fluid? do you guys just do them both simultaneously?