60,000 mile maintenance
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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E350
60,000 mile maintenance
Independent service center advising I need to do tranny flush, coolant flush, and replace spark plugs at 60,000. Quoting close to $900. Is this really necessary? 2011E350 driven by my wife. I have NEVER touched a sealed closed loop system or replaced spark plugs on any car I have ever owned in my 30 years of owning cars. Thanks!!!
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Joined: Aug 2018
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2016 CLS S-Model
Independent service center advising I need to do tranny flush, coolant flush, and replace spark plugs at 60,000. Quoting close to $900. Is this really necessary? 2011E350 driven by my wife. I have NEVER touched a sealed closed loop system or replaced spark plugs on any car I have ever owned in my 30 years of owning cars. Thanks!!!
Super Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 505
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From: Sammamish, WA
2011 E350 Wagon, 2010 GL450
The short answer is yes. All of those things are wear items and it is important that they be replaced periodically. None of the fluids on this car are any more "closed loop" than the engine oil, except maybe the A/C system.
There are many factors that negatively impact the quality and performance of fluids, including heat, age, and wear material (fine metal flakes from things like gears naturally wearing down). If the fluid isn't in good shape, it's not lubricating, shearing, or transferring heat the way it's supposed to. All of that means more accelerated wear on the component, and more rapid degradation of the fluid.
The additional kicker with coolant is that not only do the freezing limits change over time, but it will eventually start corroding the cooling system.
Spark plugs also corrode over time, resulting in a degrading quality spark right up to the point where it stops sparking.
You may be able to skate by and never have to change these things in 200k miles, but make no mistake, it's luck. More often than not, you're simply inviting undue trouble upon yourself.
There are many factors that negatively impact the quality and performance of fluids, including heat, age, and wear material (fine metal flakes from things like gears naturally wearing down). If the fluid isn't in good shape, it's not lubricating, shearing, or transferring heat the way it's supposed to. All of that means more accelerated wear on the component, and more rapid degradation of the fluid.
The additional kicker with coolant is that not only do the freezing limits change over time, but it will eventually start corroding the cooling system.
Spark plugs also corrode over time, resulting in a degrading quality spark right up to the point where it stops sparking.
You may be able to skate by and never have to change these things in 200k miles, but make no mistake, it's luck. More often than not, you're simply inviting undue trouble upon yourself.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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E350
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 166
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2016 CLS S-Model
I go by the manual except for oil change frequency. That's why I asked. Do what you want. My services are $225 & $400, including the synthetic oil change. Pretty reasonable. I'm going to trust Mercedes Benz and my local dealer to take care of my car. You sound like a complete jerk, I don't know why you have this attitude. I wasn't calling you stupid, I was just correlating your dilemma to my own maintenance disciplines, which are mainly found in the maintenance schedule.
Last edited by Kei2thehwy; Oct 15, 2019 at 11:12 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 342
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From: SOUTHWEST OHIO
2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
I have to be curious as to what answer you are shopping for? The owners manual recommends that this would be a good thing. I owned and operated new car dealerships for 40 years and therefore got to see first hand what happened when you ignored recommended service. My anecdotal advice would be to not skip those services for what it is worth. I can imagine if you look hard enough, someone will tell you it is a waste of money and time. If you can't afford it ...just don't do it!
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
IF you ignore manual you can have warranty items voided..
in 30 years you never changed plugs?
WOW did you have high mileage cars? I they will still run with old plugs but they run so much beter with new ones when manufacturer says you need new ones.
Normally they have you replace them to ensure you still pass emissions and get good MPG.
in 30 years you never changed plugs?
WOW did you have high mileage cars? I they will still run with old plugs but they run so much beter with new ones when manufacturer says you need new ones.
Normally they have you replace them to ensure you still pass emissions and get good MPG.
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Joined: May 2013
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05 W211 E500, 03 C215 CL55 AMG
Judging by your first post, you have not owned many cars or haven't owned high mileage ones.
That or you are just oblivious to cars not running properly.
Do what the dealer recommends, besides the coolant.
Not necessary until 15 years or 150k miles.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I'd shop around for another indy. The plugs are real easy on the 2011 E350 which was the M272 engine. They list for around $8 or so but you could do the autolite plugs which have a $3 rebate per plug and are about $4.70 from rockauto. A tranny flush and plugs shouldn't be anywhere near $900. Also I think you might be using ATF 134 FE which is the blue transmission fluid instead of the red. I think the switchover was 2011. In any event, you can get the fluid from a Shell distributor, either is just a tad over $60 for a case of 12 quarts. But the dealer typically charges over $20 a quart.
https://www.shell.us/business-custom...r-locator.html
As others said, I'd skip the coolant flush. I'd check the oil cooler gaskets for leaks also. I'm over 120k at this point. I've also changed the thermostat, idler pulleys and tensioner. When you change out the thermostat you lose half the coolant anyway so I figure I've already had half the coolant flushed. The old stuff looked fine.
https://www.shell.us/business-custom...r-locator.html
As others said, I'd skip the coolant flush. I'd check the oil cooler gaskets for leaks also. I'm over 120k at this point. I've also changed the thermostat, idler pulleys and tensioner. When you change out the thermostat you lose half the coolant anyway so I figure I've already had half the coolant flushed. The old stuff looked fine.
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 594
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From: USA to Germany
W221/W222/W213/X290
The short answer is yes. All of those things are wear items and it is important that they be replaced periodically. None of the fluids on this car are any more "closed loop" than the engine oil, except maybe the A/C system.
There are many factors that negatively impact the quality and performance of fluids, including heat, age, and wear material (fine metal flakes from things like gears naturally wearing down). If the fluid isn't in good shape, it's not lubricating, shearing, or transferring heat the way it's supposed to. All of that means more accelerated wear on the component, and more rapid degradation of the fluid.
The additional kicker with coolant is that not only do the freezing limits change over time, but it will eventually start corroding the cooling system.
Spark plugs also corrode over time, resulting in a degrading quality spark right up to the point where it stops sparking.
You may be able to skate by and never have to change these things in 200k miles, but make no mistake, it's luck. More often than not, you're simply inviting undue trouble upon yourself.
There are many factors that negatively impact the quality and performance of fluids, including heat, age, and wear material (fine metal flakes from things like gears naturally wearing down). If the fluid isn't in good shape, it's not lubricating, shearing, or transferring heat the way it's supposed to. All of that means more accelerated wear on the component, and more rapid degradation of the fluid.
The additional kicker with coolant is that not only do the freezing limits change over time, but it will eventually start corroding the cooling system.
Spark plugs also corrode over time, resulting in a degrading quality spark right up to the point where it stops sparking.
You may be able to skate by and never have to change these things in 200k miles, but make no mistake, it's luck. More often than not, you're simply inviting undue trouble upon yourself.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
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From: Republic of Texas
W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
For most Mercedes vehicles the service intervals are almost identical. I will list the items I would recommend for YOUR vehicle if you were at my shop.
"A" service
-10k 30k 50k 70k 90k and so on
"B" service
-20k 40k 60k 80k 100k and so on
7G-Tronic transmission service
-40k 80k 120k 160k and so on
Spark Plugs/Engine Air filters
-60k 120k 180k and so on
100k Miles
-Rear Diff fluid
-Front Diff fluid
-Transfer Case fluid
"A" service
-10k 30k 50k 70k 90k and so on
"B" service
-20k 40k 60k 80k 100k and so on
7G-Tronic transmission service
-40k 80k 120k 160k and so on
Spark Plugs/Engine Air filters
-60k 120k 180k and so on
100k Miles
-Rear Diff fluid
-Front Diff fluid
-Transfer Case fluid
