Transmission Fluid
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2004 CLK320
Transmission Fluid
For my 2004 CLK-320, my MB service adviser told me that there is no need to change the transmission fluid (supposed to last life-time).
Is this true? For my other car (Honda), I'm supposed to change the fluid every 100K KM or so.
The mileage of my CLK is now 130K KM. Is there any benefit to change it anyway? The MB shop will charge me $400.
Is this true? For my other car (Honda), I'm supposed to change the fluid every 100K KM or so.
The mileage of my CLK is now 130K KM. Is there any benefit to change it anyway? The MB shop will charge me $400.
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Mercedes-Benz Clk 350
ya there is a benefit cause over time if you use that same tranny fluid it wouldnt lube your gears properly and it could cause tranny problems in the future but personal i like to keep my clk at its best
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2004 CLK320
I asked my MB adviser more details. He told me that it's a big job. There is about 10 liters of fluid and they can change only 2-3 liters anyway because the rest are inside the transmission.
I want the best for my car but only changing 2 liters does not seem worth the money.....
I want the best for my car but only changing 2 liters does not seem worth the money.....
Last edited by mis3; Jan 21, 2009 at 12:51 AM.
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I drive the racism out of BadDebt. ;)
Your CLK, does not have a drain port for your tranny. The transmission itself only holds a few litre of oil. The rest is housed inside the torque converter. The torque converter itself does not have drain port. So a hole must be drilled, tapped and plugged. A big job to say the least. Just dont beat on your mercedes and the oil should last the life of the car....
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E55
Your CLK, does not have a drain port for your tranny. The transmission itself only holds a few litre of oil. The rest is housed inside the torque converter. The torque converter itself does not have drain port. So a hole must be drilled, tapped and plugged. A big job to say the least. Just dont beat on your mercedes and the oil should last the life of the car....
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
It used to be: 'ATF is not changed during lifetime' (whose lifetime is not defined) 
Then: Service Information SI 00.20-P-0022A dated 18 Feb 2005
"For Models 203/209/2125/220/230 with transmission 722.6
For Models 203/209/215/230 with transmission 722.9
In the future, the automatic transmission fluid in automatic transmissions 722.6/9 is to be changed once after 60,000km (37,500 miles)"
Then: Service Information SI 00.20-P-0022A dated 18 Feb 2005
"For Models 203/209/2125/220/230 with transmission 722.6
For Models 203/209/215/230 with transmission 722.9
In the future, the automatic transmission fluid in automatic transmissions 722.6/9 is to be changed once after 60,000km (37,500 miles)"
Last edited by moondust; Jan 22, 2009 at 08:27 PM.
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2004 CLK320
I am getting conflicting info from many sources.
One source (a bimmer forum) said that if the car has manual tranny, it is good to change the fluid. If the car has is automatic, the tranny usually has problems after the fluid is changed. Don't really understand why.
One source (a bimmer forum) said that if the car has manual tranny, it is good to change the fluid. If the car has is automatic, the tranny usually has problems after the fluid is changed. Don't really understand why.
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
mis3
There is confusion because after telling buyers that the ATF lasted a 'lifetime', M-B had second thoughts (following problems?) and later recommended the SI above. Unfortunately by then it was no longer easy to get all the ATF out, so a system of 'partial change' is employed.
Why don't you ask your SA about the SI that I quoted? Maybe that one has now been superceded.
There is confusion because after telling buyers that the ATF lasted a 'lifetime', M-B had second thoughts (following problems?) and later recommended the SI above. Unfortunately by then it was no longer easy to get all the ATF out, so a system of 'partial change' is employed.
Why don't you ask your SA about the SI that I quoted? Maybe that one has now been superceded.
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2004 CLK320
Exactly how many liters of tranny fluid are there? How many liters can be replace during this "partial change" procedure?
Like I said, if I can replace only less than half, it may not be worth it.
Like I said, if I can replace only less than half, it may not be worth it.
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From: Maryland
E55
you can replace all of it with the flush, i believe it is 12 or 16 quarts, i forgot which one it was, with a drain n fill of the trans pan its ony 4 or 5
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
Capacity is about 7 litres, depending on gearbox type. I probably mislead you calling it a 'partial change'. As omar says, it is a flush. Here's how it works.
You drain the gearbox oil pan and remove 2.5 litres of ATF. Replace the filter and refit the pan with drain plug. Open up the oil line to the cooler at the banjo connector and connect it via a drain hose into a 10 litre bucket. You need 14 litres of ATF to start with. Add 5 litres of ATF into the dipstick tube via a funnel and start the engine. When 3 litres of ATF have drained into the bucket, turn the engine off. Add another 3 litres of ATF via the dipstick tube and repeat the procedure above twice, making the last fill short to allow for topping up. When the last 2 - 3 litres are added do not start the engine. Refit the oil lines at the banjo, and check the ATF level with the dipstick. If approximately OK, start the car and go for a short drive. Re-check the dipstick level. It should be at the upper level at 80 deg C.
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2004 CLK320
My MB adviser actually said not to change the ATF. His point was if it's working, why bother.
I asked him to check the SI and he said that this SI applies to later CLK, not 2004.
I asked him to check the SI and he said that this SI applies to later CLK, not 2004.
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mis3
Capacity is about 7 litres, depending on gearbox type. I probably mislead you calling it a 'partial change'. As omar says, it is a flush. Here's how it works.
You drain the gearbox oil pan and remove 2.5 litres of ATF. Replace the filter and refit the pan with drain plug. Open up the oil line to the cooler at the banjo connector and connect it via a drain hose into a 10 litre bucket. You need 14 litres of ATF to start with. Add 5 litres of ATF into the dipstick tube via a funnel and start the engine. When 3 litres of ATF have drained into the bucket, turn the engine off. Add another 3 litres of ATF via the dipstick tube and repeat the procedure above twice, making the last fill short to allow for topping up. When the last 2 - 3 litres are added do not start the engine. Refit the oil lines at the banjo, and check the ATF level with the dipstick. If approximately OK, start the car and go for a short drive. Re-check the dipstick level. It should be at the upper level at 80 deg C.
Capacity is about 7 litres, depending on gearbox type. I probably mislead you calling it a 'partial change'. As omar says, it is a flush. Here's how it works.
You drain the gearbox oil pan and remove 2.5 litres of ATF. Replace the filter and refit the pan with drain plug. Open up the oil line to the cooler at the banjo connector and connect it via a drain hose into a 10 litre bucket. You need 14 litres of ATF to start with. Add 5 litres of ATF into the dipstick tube via a funnel and start the engine. When 3 litres of ATF have drained into the bucket, turn the engine off. Add another 3 litres of ATF via the dipstick tube and repeat the procedure above twice, making the last fill short to allow for topping up. When the last 2 - 3 litres are added do not start the engine. Refit the oil lines at the banjo, and check the ATF level with the dipstick. If approximately OK, start the car and go for a short drive. Re-check the dipstick level. It should be at the upper level at 80 deg C.
this is risky.... Im sure this will void warrantee for sure.
If it ain't broke why fix it right?
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
It's called 'preventive maintenance' and you car will love you for it.
and what warranty? - the car has done 130k km!
Last edited by moondust; Jan 26, 2009 at 08:42 PM. Reason: addition
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From: Maryland
E55
ask any KNOWLEDGEBLE Mercedes Tech and he'll tell you fluid should be changed. the tech who works on my cars is master mercedes tech for 15 years and he reccomends drain n fill every 25,000 miles, and flush every 40,000 miles. im trying to think of how cleaning the gunk out of your car and replacing dirty trans oil would void the warranty. Call American Service center, i belive the second biggest mercedes dealership in the country, n i believe they use BG conditioner with their flushes. euromotorcars also use the BG transmission flush machine. In regards to your question, were talking not about fixing a transmission, but servicing it, and we do service maintenance to prevent things from breaking, hopefully tht helps, i wish i could have taken you on a before and after drive in my car, you would be amazed how diff the car drives after
Last edited by omar26; Jan 26, 2009 at 11:04 PM.
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2004 CLK320
I am totally confused.
One MB service adviser asked me not to change it and the SI applied to newer CLK models.
Another adviser (from another dealership) said I should change it every 60K KM and it would cost $400 but they could only change approx 4 liters of the ATF.
One MB service adviser asked me not to change it and the SI applied to newer CLK models.
Another adviser (from another dealership) said I should change it every 60K KM and it would cost $400 but they could only change approx 4 liters of the ATF.
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From: Maryland
E55
this place is only doing a drain n refill of your trans pan, 400 is crazy..for my whole service all trans fluid, BG condtioners, flush, filter, n gasket cost me around $200
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From: plainfield,nj usa
none
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E55
r u saying u cant do a trans service tht includes a filter, flush and all fluids? why pay 400 for a drain n fill when u can get a trans service for 200+
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
The SI is very clear. It applies to certain models and certain automatic gearboxes. Nothing to do with year of manufacture. So it is retrospective from 2005, if you meet that criteria.
What auto gearbox do you have?
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From: Norfolk UK
2004 CLK 240
Yes. According to my WIS, your CLK 320 should be model 209.365 with AG 722.618.
I would have thought that with 130K kM on the clock, it was time to change your ATF, whatever the advice is. Nothing lasts forever!
I would have thought that with 130K kM on the clock, it was time to change your ATF, whatever the advice is. Nothing lasts forever!
