differential fluid change
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differential fluid change
(2001 E320) FSS does not mention anything about differential fluid change. Does this mean it's also one of those MB's life time fluid as the transmission?
When should the differential fluid be changed? 30K miles? 45K miles? 60K miles?
When should the differential fluid be changed? 30K miles? 45K miles? 60K miles?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 299
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From: Boston, MA
2002 E320 4matic 92K (bought 12/20/06). 2000 E430 4matic (RIP 12/9/06) :(
waking up this thread...i'm surprised no one responded to this (haven't looked through all my search results yet). i am also curious about this. i have a 4matic and don't know much about the different components, beyond the fact that i know that both axles have powertrains and perhaps the need for a differential fluid change is moreso on a 4m vehicle?
my friend has an a6 quattro and his understanding is that the quattro system, in the middle of the car, has fluid, as well as each differential, which obviously makes it a more high-maint system. not sure about the 4matic?
there seem to be two schools of thought: that prior to these units being 100% sealed, there used to be a need to do differential fluid changes fairly often...and the other side being that even though these are lifetime sealed units, we should still do them.
can anyone offer some advice? my car has 92K and i'm thinking about this for my 100K stuff.
my friend has an a6 quattro and his understanding is that the quattro system, in the middle of the car, has fluid, as well as each differential, which obviously makes it a more high-maint system. not sure about the 4matic?
there seem to be two schools of thought: that prior to these units being 100% sealed, there used to be a need to do differential fluid changes fairly often...and the other side being that even though these are lifetime sealed units, we should still do them.
can anyone offer some advice? my car has 92K and i'm thinking about this for my 100K stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Don't know about MB frequency.
Basically the diff is a gearbox nothing fancy.
On my Heavy truck I change every 125000 miles and it requires very exotic fluid due to the heavy towing. I would expect MB to be in this category and run 125000 before needing a change.
On my corvette due to heat on the track I change every 40,000 miles or so but each time it was changed it didn't need the change.
The Lincoln's I have driven run 130,000+ miles with out change.
So basically if you aren't towing I would expect a MB to run 125,000 miles without change. Our E500 has 70000 and I haven't even considered changing.
Warning though,, if you do change be sure you MEET THE SPECS for the fluid you add. Before servicing my truck I found many fluids that stated meets spec. But never stating what spec and inspection by direct contact with MFG stated that it did not meet my specific spec. When I found oil for my truck diff it was over $16.00/ pint and needed 8 pints. So the correct oil is pricy.
Basically the diff is a gearbox nothing fancy.
On my Heavy truck I change every 125000 miles and it requires very exotic fluid due to the heavy towing. I would expect MB to be in this category and run 125000 before needing a change.
On my corvette due to heat on the track I change every 40,000 miles or so but each time it was changed it didn't need the change.
The Lincoln's I have driven run 130,000+ miles with out change.
So basically if you aren't towing I would expect a MB to run 125,000 miles without change. Our E500 has 70000 and I haven't even considered changing.
Warning though,, if you do change be sure you MEET THE SPECS for the fluid you add. Before servicing my truck I found many fluids that stated meets spec. But never stating what spec and inspection by direct contact with MFG stated that it did not meet my specific spec. When I found oil for my truck diff it was over $16.00/ pint and needed 8 pints. So the correct oil is pricy.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 15
From: Boston, MA
2002 E320 4matic 92K (bought 12/20/06). 2000 E430 4matic (RIP 12/9/06) :(
hey vett - thanks for the tips! i will certainly wait till after the 100K mark to worry about it - ther'es plenty of other stuff for me to spend my $$ on at the 100K mark that SHOULD be done. i was posting at benzworld and they are telling me to also check the transfer case for wet screws, ensure that that is serviced if there's any evidence of it leaking out. some DIY stuff on that forum if you go to http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...=transfer+case (page 2, first post) on how to add fluid to the system. good thread to read for us 4matic owners, not sure if your 500 is a 4m.
what vett do you drive...my father had always wanted one, and finally got a 2005 6-speed (whatever the first year without the pop-up lights was) a couple years back, i LOVE the thing. i'm going to finally learn stick on it too!
what vett do you drive...my father had always wanted one, and finally got a 2005 6-speed (whatever the first year without the pop-up lights was) a couple years back, i LOVE the thing. i'm going to finally learn stick on it too!
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
I believe I recall hearing that MB recommended service for the rearend fluid at 80k miles. Its simple enough to change that I will probably do it at about that time.
Just a quick aside, the Audi Quattro system is based on a fwd architecture. Therefore, it uses a transaxle that combines the transmission and the front differential in one case (and therefore one fluid system). Then it just adds a rear differential.
To me that seems easier than running a standard transmission into a transfer case to send power back up front to another diff, while also sending power to the rear wheels.
Oh well, i guess both work well enough.
Just a quick aside, the Audi Quattro system is based on a fwd architecture. Therefore, it uses a transaxle that combines the transmission and the front differential in one case (and therefore one fluid system). Then it just adds a rear differential.
To me that seems easier than running a standard transmission into a transfer case to send power back up front to another diff, while also sending power to the rear wheels.
Oh well, i guess both work well enough.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 299
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From: Boston, MA
2002 E320 4matic 92K (bought 12/20/06). 2000 E430 4matic (RIP 12/9/06) :(
thanks oliver
at my next oil change im going to bring the mechanic fluid for both the front & rear diff...what are the specs (how much, type?), should i pick this up at a dealer or is there a place online i can get OEM diff. fluid?
as to the transfer case, if there's zero leakage and no wet screws, should i just leave it as is?
at my next oil change im going to bring the mechanic fluid for both the front & rear diff...what are the specs (how much, type?), should i pick this up at a dealer or is there a place online i can get OEM diff. fluid?
as to the transfer case, if there's zero leakage and no wet screws, should i just leave it as is?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
I have not replaced the diff fluid in my car, so im not sure what weight. A search on here on benzworld should turn that up.
If your transfer case is not leaking, then you should be all set.
If your transfer case is not leaking, then you should be all set.
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