dfwe320cdi

Hi all,

My 06 E320 CDI is due for a Service E in 6 days. It has just under 50K miles on it. Last time it was in for service, at around 39K miles, my dealer advised that my brakes, power steering, and transmission systems needed flushing. Since that was going to cost me about $400, I deferred, aiming to check my owners manual and this site for related recommendations. There's nothing, that I can find anyway, in my owners manual on these topics, and I haven't been able to find much here using the search function.

Since it's coming up on time to take it in again, I thought I'd ask the group for their thoughts. Any recommendations?

A couple slightly off topic points: I've had mine in for unscheduled warranty service twice in the last two months. The left tail light was replaced and all the glow plugs were replaced after the "check engine" light came on. This is a great car, and I love driving it, but the warranty is due to expire soon and I hope I don't see this type of thing in the future!

Thanks for any help.

Ed

lkchris

The word "flush" is an American invention and describes what happens to your wallet when you agree to these unneeded services.

Since your 2006 was built, Mercedes has changed lifetime transmission fill to ONE TIME ONLY fluid change at 39K miles. This is NOT a flush, it's drain and refill and replace filter.

Most folks go with two years for brake fluid replacement but the fact is your fluid can be easily tested to verify it's necessary.

Your power steering fluid NEVER needs "flushing."

http://www.thecarconnection.com/arti...ing-of-america

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Arti...ke_system.aspx

dfwe320cdi

Thanks Kent. I must say when I was advised to do this "flushing" I smelled a smell not unlike the one I smell just before I flush the toilet. I appreciate the confirmation.

I guess I need to specify that they change the brake fluid and the transmission fluid (and filter) when I have it in the shop in a week or so. Here's hoping "replace" is not as costly as "flush".

Happy holidays all!

Ed

harkgar

I am not sure if you should ignore transmission fluid changes. My friend's 1998 E430 had the "lifetime fill" 5 speed and was told no fluid change is necessary. Ever. He bought his car new and had 165,000 miles on the clock. The transmission roasted a few weeks ago and he had a re-conditioned box installed at great expense.

Fluid changes are cheap and you do not have to do it often. Good insurance. How long do you want to keep your 40,000 mile car?

Carsy

I agree Harkgar, My MB mechanic recommends changing the 5 speed auto transmision oil at 60,000 KM .The service book says it is sealed for life.
A small price to pay for gearbox longivity.

dfwe320cdi

I'll have the transmission oil and filter changed sometime next week, when I take it in for service (I'm at 50K so I'm late). I can see the value in that, although I must say I've owned a lot of cars in my day and put a lot of miles on them and only rarely changed the transmission fluid.

I'm wondering if my dealer is going to want to charge me extra for a "flush" service on the transmission, though. I'm inclined to decline that. I will continue to decline the flush service on the brake fluid and the power steering fluid. I paid just about $500 for a brake job a couple months ago. I'm going to assume that if my car needed the brake fluid replaced, it would have been done at that time.

Merry Christmas to all!

Ed

harkgar

Same with MB here. They suggested a transmission fluid change too at 60,000 km and I agreed. By the way, this "lifetime fill" gearbox leaks too (from where the sensor goes into the box). It happened with both my W210 E55 and my present E320 CDi and were repaired under warranty.

Australia is such a good place to own cars. No salt. The cars last forever. When I was in Sidney a few years back there were so many VW Beetles and good condition Peugeot 504s running around.

Merry Christmas to all.

240D 3.0T

FYI, the "lifetime" is the duration of the warranty, not the lifetime of the vehicle.

All the fluids must be changed at regular intervals if you expect any of those components to live any meaningful length of time.

dfwe320cdi

Sounds reasonable to me, I suppose. I'm certainly no expert. Why don't they put this in the owners manual? I've been taught over the years to be very suspicious of dealers recommending service procedures that aren't specifically called out in the owners manual, since typically they're not necessary and simply add revenue to the dealership.

Ed

240D 3.0T

Their only concern is surviving the warranty period with minimal cost. If the transmission takes a dump a month after it expires, MB doesn't care, they won't have to pay for it.

lkchris

They'll pay for it with their reputation.

But, I'm not sure any manufacturer considers anything but about 100-120K normal automatic transmission life.

Carsy

I don't agree with you here.

The service book information covers B services up to 250,000 km & 15 years which is well outside the warranty of 3 years here..

.[/QUOTE]All the fluids must be changed at regular intervals if you expect any of those components to live any meaningful length of time.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you here

240D 3.0T

Exactly. You'll end up replacing the transmission well before that point unless you change the fluid every 30k miles.