slvrstar

Just took my car to the dealer inquiring about a transmission oil change. They told me it costs approximately $500. WTF. Anyone else gotten their tranny oil changed. How much. Any referrals in L.A. area?

CurYousGee

wow....i would like to know too for future reference.....how often do you change the oil anyways??

wnycec

in other threads, I have read every 30k... and i have also heard that the MB people say every 100k... if you search thru the threads, you'll see a number of stories about people with tranny problems thanx to their lack or attention to the transmission oil. I just passed 50k and i made sure i got my transmission oiled changed... i'll be doin it again at 70k... but only cause i know a MB tech and he does it for a $150...

roger's 2937

Just had my trans.('99 CLK 430) flushed/filled with the M-B trans. fluid at approx. 53k miles and it was done at a local auto repair shop. It took less than an hour and when they started the flush, the fluid was "black". When the flush was completed, the fluid was nice and red. Since there is no dip stick to check the level, I purchasecd one from Auto Parts Warehouse and provided it to the shop. The cost was about $250 for material and labor.

patrick39

I guess it is not cheap because even a local shop charged $250 and dealer usual charges double of ind. local shop.

The menu nor the service booklet mention the interval for trans. fluid change, so I guess I will do it every 5 years or 60000 miles. Will that be too long? My CLK 320 is 4 years old with only 24000 miles.

roger's 2937

Patrick 39-I'd change it at 30k, but then I'm a maintenance nut!

CARLSS0N

Every 30,000 miles your will need to flush your transmission and the filter
you will need about 16 quart of MB ATF, oil pan gasket, drain plug seal, and a oil filter. It is better to flush it than just changing it because flushing it could get all the dirt out from the transmission

BLACK2001CLK

Can anyone recommend a shop or machanic that can do this in So. Bay Area?

roger's 2937

Carlson's right-we used 15 qts. to get a good flush, but with a good flush there is no reason to change the filter.

CARLSS0N

But dirt will be stuck inside the filter right ??

roger's 2937

The dirt has been flushed out, that's why it takes 15-16 qts. The trans. holds 9.5 qts. I believe on a 430.

slvrstar

This is what I found out from a mb tech that works inside the dealership. Seriously, engine oils changes are not normal at 10,000 miles and tranny oil changes are not made for 100,000 miles, neither are platinum spark plug changes at 100,000 miles. False advertisement. You can do it , but your car will suffer lots of repercussions from this abuse. Hense, engine problems, tranny problems, loss of power, etc. It's good for dealer though, since it means less money for service package, when you've got problems in the future, they can make money off your service, or better yet trade up. Crooks! Stealerships! But one should get their tranny oil service at no approximately 50,000 miles and engine oil changed no longer than 5000 miles. Also, if you don't drive your car often, with only 24000 miles, just like my car, the 4 years will require you to change your oils also according to the tech if you don't want problems stemming from lack of oil changes.

slvrstar

Anyone know of a good place in the L.A. area? price?