TresX

For preventative mantinence, I decided to service my tranny today. Dropped the pan, drained the torque converter, sealed and refilled. After hearing horror stories about others with the "lifetime" fluid, I was expecting the worst. To my pleasant surprise, the fluid wasn't too bad at all. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't red like the new fluid, but it wasn't black either. More a reddish, still translucid, black (I've seen MUCH darker engine oil). I've never experienced any tranny issues (knock on wood) and am the original owner of the car (no previous tranny services). I guess the "lifetime" crap isn't that much crap at all. I'm not saying it's not a good idea to service your tranny, but the 100k service interval that MB recommends seems to be pretty reasonable.

Josh K

I call it crap because Mercedes doesn't recommend a 100k service interval - they literally tell you that the fluid never has to be changed. ;0)

TresX

From what I hear, it is listed as a recommended service in the little menu thing they have at the dealer. Don't get me wrong, every dealer I've spoken to has told me that it doesn't require service, but I hear it's there in writting on the menu. (probably there to avoid liability)

King320

They are probably going on the assumption that someone buying a Mercedes is probably not going to drive it to the 100K marker, if you probably have enough to buy one new you have enough to trade up before 100K.

Josh K

Good point - I bought mine new and would have traded up to a w209 if it didn't look like a Honda lol.

TresX

Well this is my 4th car and I plan on keeping it forever with the rest of my fleet. Since the age of 16, I've managed to collect:

1996 Honda Prelude Vtech (30k miles)
1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (35k miles)
1998 Toyota 4 Runner (12k miles)
1998 Mercedes CLK 320 (92k miles)
Soon to come: ????

My fiance wants me to get rid of atleast 2, but there's no way in hell I'm gonna do that. She'll go before I get rid of any of my babies.

CARLSS0N

My question is if the Tranny does not require maintence then how come there is a drain plug on the pan?

x15jq

how much fluid did you put in and how did you refil the torque converter, i know it has a separate drain area. Thanks!

TresX

Actually, post September 99' vehicles no longer have a drain plug on the torque converter. They do on the tranny oil pan, but not the converter.


The torque converter gets refilled at the same time the pan does when you refill the system. After removing old fluid and replacing filter and gasket, seal system. Take off safety lock on tranny fill tube, pull off cap and pour in 5 liters. Start engine and let idle. Then pour the rest of the recommended amount of fluid in. WIS doesn't give you refill amount, only how much to fill in an new/empty system. All data and Mitchell on Demand say 7.3 liters. So thats what I did. Shift through all gears a few times and went on a short drive to get it up to operating temp. (you want to check the fluid when the car is warmed up 80C) When car is warmed up, fluid level should read inbetween min and max mark for the "HOT" reading on the tranny dip stick tool. If you have any other questions, just ask!

x15jq

cool. Did you drain your torque converter with teh separate plug on it i know only 99's have this or else u need to get the system flushed? This should go in the sticky, good information

TresX

Update.....


Well I drove my girl around all day today, and to my pleasant surprise, the tranny shifts MUCH better now. I wasn't aware that my tranny was shifting too early from 1st to 2nd. (guess I got used to it and accepted it as normal) It used to hesitate around 5-6k rpm and then shift into second at WOT. Now it nearly redlines and shifts REAL smooth into second. Just a thought for you guys with higher mileage cars!

clkgeorge

I think you mean VTEC. Vtech is a phone.
I had one of those, great cars.

So can a back yard mechanic flush the converter on a 2000 CLK?
If it doesn't have a drain plug is it a shop only job?
Thanks

TresX

lol....Yeah I do mean VTEC. You would have to go to a shop so they can machine flush it out.

E55AMG99

To assist in the removal of metal fragments when it grenades

E55AMG99

Oh, yeah....they removed the plug after realizing that the fragments are too large to fit through it.

Freddie

Lucky dog. I had a few strange shifts and decided to change my t-fluid at 64,000 miles. The fluid that come out was BLACK ... very black!