Jon R

I am at about 45K on my C43 and I am taking my car in on Monday for its next service. I would like to get the transmission fluid changed then, but no one seems to know how much it is going to cost. They just told me to ask again when I come in on Monday.

I would just like to be prepared a little. Anyone know about how much it would be?

Is changing the transmission fluid the same as "flushing" it? What should I request to be done on Monday concerning the transmission to prolong its life and keep it from getting the infamous problems? How much would that cost?

C43AMG

If you are going to the $tealership my guess is $200.00 - $250.00 for the "changing"."Changing" is not the same as "flushing".When your tranny gets "flushed" ALL the fluid is exchanged - including what's in the torque converter.When its "changed" approxiametly half of the old fluid is still in the torque converter.Hope this helps.

Jon R

Oh, I see. Thank you. Which does the dealer usually do? Should I get it flushed? How much is that?

C43AMG

If it were me , I would get it "flushed" it may cost a little more ($100.00 extra ) but for my peace of mind - and the fact you shouldn't have to have it done for another 40k miles - its worth it.I believe the $tealership only "changes" it.Depending upon the $tealership you may have to listen to the "This tranny doesn't need servicing until 100k" speech.If you stay while the service is being done ask to see the changed out fluid and let us know what it looks like.

Jon R

Sounds good. I will try to do that.

StapleGun

Hey Jon R,
Definitely keep us posted. If you follow this forum with ANY regularity you know that this has been a recurring issue, specifically. MB of Savannah wanted to charge me $280 for a flush AND fill. This was to replace ATF, filter and ALL the fluid - which actually is not bad for a $tealer$hip. The service advisor or whatever they call themselves nowadays, gave me the song and dance that it does not need changing until 100K and I told asked him if he was in crack...he did not like my retort and I got a quote in spite of this protestations - he can pound sand. I ultimately took it locally and had it flushed at a place with a Wynn's tranny fluid exchanger (this device replaces the fluid one-for-one). It cost me $59.99 + tax, I obtained the synthetic ATF on my own - I specifically used Mobil One synthetic ATF. The MB stuff costs about $10 (app) per quart. Let us know how it looked (the fluid in your car that is)...mine was replaced at about 73K and it looked like crap. Hope this helps and keep us posted please
Frank

Jon R

Yeah, I don't mind paying for the flush & fill if they do it correctly. I will stay the day at the dealer. I can afford a break and wanna check out the cars anyways, so I will see if they will show me the fluid.

benztec

MB says its lifetime fluid!!!! the fluid alone is about $120! if you have a star mark or a any other dont let MB find out the tran was done. and if you do do it i would say 2 drain it not a flush!!!!!! a flush will get all the cluch shaving moving around and you might have problem and MB wont help ya at that point! good luck!

NitrogenBalance

I'm bumping this back to the top.

I'm curious about the statement regarding a drain/fill over a flush/fill with clutch shavings being the concern....

Jon R

I would hope that a flush would "flush" out all the clutch shavings (and other metal for that case). It doesn't do that?

NoC

Anybody know a place to flush the tranny in Socal?

StapleGun

Just for everyone's 411:
I had the tranny flushed at 73K (give or take a couple miles)....I never had any problems prior or subsequent to the 'procedure'.....I simply did not want 73K mile-old fluid in the tranny. My plan is to have it done yearly or every 30-40K miles...the whole point of the flush and fill was to get rid of all the crap suspended in the fluid and get some fresh fluid in.

C43AMG

Staplegun , keep us posted on how the car responds after the flushing.In regards to the other postings about the particles that become dislodged because of the flushing - thats what the filter is for.

StapleGun

Hey C43AMG...this was done months and months ago...I was pointing out on this thread that this has been discussed numerous times. As you clearly point out - that IS what the filter is for. I had it done and it shifts as it should (I did not any problems to begin with - I just was not going to live with 73K mile-old ATF in the tranny). The fluid was looking absolutely crappy with 73K on the clock.

StapleGun

As far as location in SoCal...here's a link (towards bottom):

This is the machine you're looking for at whatever shop changes oil, ATF, etc...
Call the shops and ask 'em what they got.

http://www.wynnsusa.com/Transmission.asp

Jon R

Well, I get everything done tomorrow @ 8am. I will keep you all posted.

ProjectC55

Everyone I asked that had this Wynn machine simply refused to do my tranny fluid or touch the car period.. Unfortunately I took her back to MB and had the fluid changed.What company did you go to to get your fluid fully flushed and refilled?

C43AMG

Funny thing about this topic.On Saturday at the AMG meet @ MBHQ I asked Noah ( MB tranny specialist ) about the 100k service on these things and he stood by the 100k service interval.I then asked him if he believed the filter could effectively do its job up to 100k - and he sais "yes".I prefer to my maintenance at 40k or less intervals on this tranny.

StapleGun

Noah must have been smoking crack in the men's room....

StapleGun

Hey coolcarski....where I had it done they were a little reluctant but they did do it anyhow (they expressed concern at not possibly having the proper fittings). Simple job, dropped the pan and hooked it up to the lines and voila!

ProjectC55

They dropped the pan to do the job? I don't get it!

StapleGun

Filter change too - I hope!