Transmission and Rear axle oil change interval?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 158
Likes: 25
From: Marin County,California
2016 E350 Sedan
Transmission and Rear axle oil change interval?
I did oil change myself as well as brake fluid at 30,000 miles. Local dealer is having a special $150 of $300 so I thought I'd take advantage of it. Trans oil change isn't as easy and rear axle oil either. Plus rear axle oil really has a stink to it. Anyway what is the interval for occasional use I only do about 4000 miles a year. ( My daily driver is a Ford,ha ha)
Service recommendations address normal and heavy use , not pleasure /occasional use
TIA
Service recommendations address normal and heavy use , not pleasure /occasional use
TIA
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I did oil change myself as well as brake fluid at 30,000 miles. Local dealer is having a special $150 of $300 so I thought I'd take advantage of it. Trans oil change isn't as easy and rear axle oil either. Plus rear axle oil really has a stink to it. Anyway what is the interval for occasional use I only do about 4000 miles a year. ( My daily driver is a Ford,ha ha)
Service recommendations address normal and heavy use , not pleasure /occasional use
TIA
Service recommendations address normal and heavy use , not pleasure /occasional use
TIA
Rear axle oil change is not even listed in the MB ser4vive booklet. I had mine changed at around 150 000. You get a different answer from each mechanic you ask for this but as MB does not list it before 100 000 miles I would not worry about it before that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,694
Likes: 1,829
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Another perspective...
I keep my cars long-term... usually 7 years minimum. On those cars that I've kept long enough (80-100K miles) to warrant a transmission fluid replacement, each time I've done that, I've had to replace the transmission within months after. That's because the dufus that changed the tranny fluid insisted (despite my objections) on doing a transmission flush, rather than a simple drain and refill.. Or he did something else to guarantee that I return in short order needing a much more expensive repair.
I've been snake-bitten on 3 cars this way. Makes the old adage, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." hold special meaning to me.
My 19 year-old MB C320 has 124,000 miles on it. Unless the transmission fluid was serviced under its 4-year or 50K miles free maintenance plan, it rides today on the original fluid in its tranny, and works as new. I could have the fluid changed now, I guess. But then the service will cost as much as the car is worth... It will cost 3X more (minimum) if done at a Mercedes dealer..
So, when the service intervals are vague (at minimum) or not stated at all, that indicates to me the transmission fluid is best left alone, unless a mechanical problem dictates an incidental fluid change.
I change the engine oil and filter every year as recommended (seldom more than 5,000 miles between changes). Transmission fluid, not so much.
I keep my cars long-term... usually 7 years minimum. On those cars that I've kept long enough (80-100K miles) to warrant a transmission fluid replacement, each time I've done that, I've had to replace the transmission within months after. That's because the dufus that changed the tranny fluid insisted (despite my objections) on doing a transmission flush, rather than a simple drain and refill.. Or he did something else to guarantee that I return in short order needing a much more expensive repair.
I've been snake-bitten on 3 cars this way. Makes the old adage, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." hold special meaning to me.
My 19 year-old MB C320 has 124,000 miles on it. Unless the transmission fluid was serviced under its 4-year or 50K miles free maintenance plan, it rides today on the original fluid in its tranny, and works as new. I could have the fluid changed now, I guess. But then the service will cost as much as the car is worth... It will cost 3X more (minimum) if done at a Mercedes dealer..
So, when the service intervals are vague (at minimum) or not stated at all, that indicates to me the transmission fluid is best left alone, unless a mechanical problem dictates an incidental fluid change.
I change the engine oil and filter every year as recommended (seldom more than 5,000 miles between changes). Transmission fluid, not so much.
Last edited by DFWdude; Apr 10, 2020 at 07:21 AM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 96
Likes: 21
From: Miami, FL
2014 e250 bluetec
Transmission service intervals are clearly stated by MBUSA. If prefacelift with 7G, then every 40k miles. If post facelift with 7G+, then every 70k for transmission. Just make sure it’s done at dealer or skilled Mercedes tech as there are stories of shops completely toasting transmissions from doing it incorrectly.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 158
Likes: 25
From: Marin County,California
2016 E350 Sedan
What mileage do you have on your car? Mine is a 2010 model and it calls for transmission service at every 40 000 miles. I think the newer models are 70 000 or so, but I'm not sure.
Rear axle oil change is not even listed in the MB ser4vive booklet. I had mine changed at around 150 000. You get a different answer from each mechanic you ask for this but as MB does not list it before 100 000 miles I would not worry about it before that.
Rear axle oil change is not even listed in the MB ser4vive booklet. I had mine changed at around 150 000. You get a different answer from each mechanic you ask for this but as MB does not list it before 100 000 miles I would not worry about it before that.
