1998CLK320

Just got my MAF and my CPS fixed and now I am wondering whether I should get my transmission fluid done when I get my oil change done


I'm at 71,237 and its a 98

I brought from FLA up to NJ and it hates the cold weather

My dad said that I shouldn't mess with the transmission fluid because once the vacuum seals are open and they will keep leaking and getting worse.

I know MB said there is a lifetime transmission fluid where I don't have to change but I disagree.

What should I do?

Hitman0187

There are many schools of thought on the transfluid swap. Im going to say listen to your father and leave well enough alone.

ToyotasSUKA$$

I had the same question you did about the transfluid. I'm a new owner of a w208. My car has 63k and its a 2000 model. I was wondering if I should change the transfluid but many people said that I shouldn't worry about it.

AMGSingh

I have 79000 miles on my CLK, if you don't experience any issues with your tranny, don't bother trying to fix it. But again, everyone has different opinion.

150shot

I'm doing mine in a few months before the summer arrives. Im at 72k and an 02.
I've read through toooo many threads about this. Figure rather be safe and the fluid is at least 5 years old ( dont know if previous owner changed it)

emro

OT sorry: Leonard, let me know when you're doing this, might want to watch since planning to change mine too. Probably do it at the same time too.

clk430convert01

I had my fluid replaced at 75k at dealer and it was black with a hint of red. Burnt fluid has degraded lubricating ability. If you ride with burnt fluid in the tranny, u will decrease the life of your internal tranny components. Also, after fluid change tranny is smooth as butter punchin thru gears.

emro

How much did it cost you to have that done at the dealer?

clk430convert01

Since I didn't know my car's maint. history at 70k, i had transmission fluid, brake fluid and engine coolant fluid flushed all at once. Your fluid is not lifetime....MB says its 100k, my dealer says its 30-50k, long time owners of these cars here also recommend changing it. Just read the posts u will see a common theme.........Your gonna have to crack the case open might as well do it earlier in its life.

Tranny Service - $230
Brake Fluid Service - $110
Coolant Service - $90(special)

Jayhawk

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/gene...?highlight=atf

Silverbillet

My car has 70k miles and I just had my tranny and differential fluid change by the dealer. They now recommend changing the tranny fluid every 40k miles. My service tech said mines wasn't too dirty but I guess it really depends on how hard you drive your car.

[180]

The fluid is not lifetime. 100K would be a big stretch, when I changed mine (at 90K) it came out as brown goop.

I would recommend changing at 30k intervals just to be safe, especially if you drive your car hard.

ONLY use MB fluids in your tranny. 5 speed fluid is very hard to come by at most dealerships so you will most likely be using the pink 7 speed fluid.

Don't forget to change your trans filter while you're at it too. It's only $15 and takes maybe half an hour to drop the pan and replace it.

John 99CLK430

This kinda makes me wonder if I should change mine or not, maybe I'll buy a dipstick and find out cause I stop driving the car for awhile now but it's racked up 25k+ miles when I bought the car since, and I drive hard time to time but the transmission is still smooth when shifting and runs fine, but won't hurt to check.

a little off-topic, 150shot were you at the Brabus meet on Saturday? If that's the CLK I saw there, the ride is just mad clean bro!

gregory13lil

Just my 2cents...I replaced my Tranny Fluid at 95,000 and it came out black as can be and had a really bad burnt smell. It was shifting really smooth but I did it because I knew it had to be getting old..I changed out the trans filter at the same time.

My recommendation is that it is cheap insurance against BIG transmission problems down the road. OR you could just take your chance on a messes up tranny later???

Oh yeah my 430 is now at 107,000 miles and shifting well so hopefully it holds up well into the future!!

Greg

emro

Just called the nearest mb dealership and was quoted 400 dollars for the fluid, filter, labor and test drive/QA(that's what service told me).

clk430convert01

I love California and hope to live there one day when i make some money but man it's pricey.........

[180]

Take it to an independent shop. When I called around to see how much it'd cost, $250 was the highest I got.

IIRC, House of Imports in Buena Park has trans flushes for $300. Not 100% sure on this tho.

emro

Brought the ml and clk today for the trans fluid flash. Total damage is $866 for fluids, filters and gaskets and the quality assurance test drive . I felt some difference with the ml, especially when slowing down, I don't feel the "thug" anymore and shifts smoothly. For the clk, my wife didn't notice any difference at all. I would know tomorrow when I drive it to work. Although I know I paid too much for the work, it makes me feel better knowing the trans was serviced properly by the dealer.

MarcusF

Too bad I read about this so late in the game. Mercedes-Benz of Valencia would have shaved at least $100 off the CLK fluid change. With two cars, DEFINITELY MORE.

[180]

Which dealership??

You need a machine to do the flush, but just dropping the pan and replacing half the fluid and filter will improve performance a lot. And it only takes maybe 30min at most.

Hell, if you had the parts ready I would've done it for a case of beer

emro

MB of Escondido.