Going on my retirement at 63, I made a gift to myself, what is car lift. Now those hard jobs become pleasure.
I put some miles after my ATF change and am still waiting for longer trip, to get transmission to 80C for final drip check. With lift this will make like 3 minutes job. Than I will put all the covers back.

 

on the lift decision.. Any recommendations for a house garage lift ?

Do you drive your car w/o the splash covers? I guess it does not rain that much in the Las Vegas area, . Seen an alternator damaged on an ML350 because the owner drove w/o the covers at some speed over water, and the splash from below short-circuit something. The AC compressor is also exposed, but no electricals as exposed.

 

I'd be against it it's just a handful of 8mm hex bolts down there, if you have a fluid leak you can put oil/coolant/PS under the front tire which would get you hurt. It's also intended to keep the stuff cool down there at speed and at idle. If you need a lift for the house, most of the time quickjacks will do it. They're like $1800 for the pair and they run off power. I just did a full fluids service on a 2006 230k E350 with the original ATF and gear oil. Owner was very pleased. The bushings are all original and still intact although the engine and transmission mounts were completely roached. The diff oil still looked new which is very typical of non LSD cars, not a huge fan of the sulfur smell. The transmission was holding gears for way too long, shuddering, and there was a whine. The only oil leaks it had were the VVT solenoids (1) and the oil cooler gasket, which the housing gasket also gets replaced in addition to the thermostat gasket and o ring. Everything was fixed and the car runs better than new, which is their words as the original owner.

5L out, 7L in. and circulated the excess drained pretty clean.

Now if you're ever in San Jose I will do your transmission service for $100 with the good stuff if you bring it with you I know it's a pain but I could do it every oil change if I really had to, it's not too complicated and theres too much fluff concerning small minute details that prevent people from hurting themselves on it that make the job sound more difficult than it really is.

 

I bough 4 post lift, that comes with casters and rolling it around, I was also using it for unloading 2-tons garden sculptures.
Being able to pick it up from local warehouse, I bought it for less than $2000 about 6 years ago. At the time I also had convertible, so using the lift I could park sedan and convertible in single space under 10' ceiling.
I removed belly covers on my E last November, when taking the car to dealer for AEM. Mechanics tend to break the threads on the fastening screws, so I did not want that and I also check the job after.
The mechanic never removed shipping labels from my DPF, what is potential fire hazard, so good thing I check. So now, when I finally got transmission service done, I can put them back.

 

yep, "double checking" is not always waste of time!

Last time my car was serviced at the Mercedes-Benz dealership, the "factory trained specialists" lost the whole plastic engine cover...
They could never find it and had to order a replacement.

"be sure you give us a 10 on our follow up surveys"

 

you guys are welcome here anytime, just sit and eat our famous tacos and drink beer from the microbrewery next door while your car gets serviced feet away. you guys shouldn't have to work on your own cars if you're retired!

 

I am 550 miles from San Jose now. That would make pretty expensive service, but thanks for the offer.
Being retired has its advantage that you don't need to rush things.
I bought ATF 2 years ago and that what it took me to get ready for the job.

 

Love that 4 post lift!!!

We're in the DC 'burbs for a few more years, then the plan is to head back home to NC. Already mentally planning out that next house wherever it may be. I do know I want less sqFt and more land this time, so I can have a detached garage in the back. Probably going to be out in the country next time, but not too far out. Would like to have 5 acres or so. If that dream ever happens, my detached garage will definitely have a lift like that!

Mine is going in on Tuesday to have the Amsoil put in, along with new flex-discs and center bearing, oil change, and crank case ventilator that we've known for a while is going bad (have a little bit of oil getting into the intake). I must admit, I am excited to see what the Amsoil does to the transmission. Will be a complete flush, the cooler, torque converter, lines, everything will be replaced with the new Amsoil ATF. If it turns out anything like the only other time I have used after-market transfluid, I should be very happy. All I know is that Mobile1 full synth ATF I put in my wife's little 2006 Mazda 3 GT sedan shortly after we bought it brand new back then, made a world of difference in that car. Granted, we're talking about a Ford gear box compared to a Mercedes, but still. What I hope to see is some reduction in that lumpiness feeling sometimes in 4th gear that many of us have experienced, which I am thinking Chassis is right - it's the clutch plate. Hopefully the new fluid's viscosity will have a positive influence.

My car, even though now 9 years old, only has 71k miles on it. Long since paid for. So when something comes up that costs a few thousand, be it maintenance or repair, I am ok with it because the alternative is to replace the car. I don't necessarily like the idea of fixing a $5k issue with a $65k answer when it only has 71k miles, lives in the garage, and is not subjected to any level of abuse, and hasn't been since I bought it with just 21k miles in 2017. I would like to have a GLC as well, but not at the expense of this ole' w212 beauty!

 

Have you heard that recent song from Shakira? where she references "Trading a Ferrari for a Twingo", well that is what W212 is compared to a GLC. Not even close, and do not get me started on the 4 cylinders MB gasoline engines of late. Let us keep this thread civil with oil changes.

 

I have GLE with the same 4-cylinder diesel I have in sedan.
GLE is good for loading stuff going to my cabin and for trailers towing, but sedan can do the trip without refueling and being easier with beating the traffic, save us driving time as well.
Talking about ATF, I keep wondering what are the chances I did its 1st service at 150k miles? When the car come with good service record at the dealer, I could not find transmission service.
Anyone has pictures of old ATF and magnets? My fluid was basically black and magnets had nice puddles of steel shaving on them.

 

I see plenty of cars with 100k before their first transmission service. Nothing to be too alarmed at, just be happy you did the service and the car instantly drives better. When I purchased my E550 at 108k, it had been done at 60 on the dot, the fluid was already spent even though the car did not have a very hard life. If you guys ever get into AMG GTS, it's probably the one issue that car has, it probably needs it every 30k.

 

Results are in - smooth as butter now in all gears, and shifts are smooth as well (albeit they were already, but even mores now). The gear box had 32k miles on it since the last ATF change (pan drop). The 4th gear hiccup is completely gone!! Now, I don't know if it's because of the Amsoil, or the fact that we flushed the entire system an not just the pan routine. I suspect that has something to do with it for sure. It's basically been reset back to day 1 in terms of transmission fluid, not day 100. ChrisHimself was correct, I did not need all of that extra fluid (3 2.5 gallon jugs). I ended up with one full jug extra and 1 gallon of the second jug. All I can say is the transmission and drive line / application of power is flawless now. Mine was already quiet, so I suspect the following is more psychological than fact, but it seems to be even quieter than before.

I also had a crack in the rear flex-coupling on the drive shaft, and the center bearing was worn but not worn out. Replaced it anyway.

Also had the crank case ventilator valve replaced, which I suspect plays a roll in the smoothness factor. I will say that I was still getting that burning oil smell at times when pulling back into my garage after a drive. I knew there was a slight amount of oil getting into the intake from the bad ventilator valve. That is now gone too.

Painful ticket at $2,200, but worth it in my situation of only having 72k miles on it, and it is well cared for and loved more every time I drive it. Looking forward to a road trip in a couple of weeks down I-81 from DC into Greensboro NC in it for my son's first trip to "nationals" for track. Kid is a freshman and faster than greased lightening! Going to enjoy that cruise for sure. If you're familiar with I-81, then you know how beautiful the drive is along the foothills of the Appalachian / Shenandoah mountains.

Strictly my opinion - I would not be afraid of the flush technique, nor would I be afraid of the Amsoil ATF for the 7g. Totally understand anyone who doesn't want to venture away from the MB fluid though. But I would give the flush technique some consideration.

Reason why I changed to Amsoil is because the "hiccup" seems to be across all different types of models with the 7g box. Chassis had it on his GLE, we've seen it here several times as well. The only common element to all of the stories is the fluid itself and the change technique. If just a couple complained, then maybe you could argue that one had a bad part elsewhere, or driving technique different from the other, etc. But so many have made comments about that lumpy feeling, and seems to be prevalent the most in that 3 - 4 gear, that I decided to see if it was the fluid itself. Mine appears to be the case, BUT time will tell if I am correct or not.

The pan only technique just seems like a game of diminished returns. You buy the car new with the fluid at 100%, and yet the best you can do is get it to around 50% after 60k miles? If 60k means you went from 100% to 0% (in theory) on ATF health, it just seems like the 50% at 60k would wear out far sooner than another 60k miles of service. At least wear down the comfort factor of the operations of the transmission. Just doesn't make sense to me... Tin foil hat theory - feels like they'd prefer it to fail at some point so you'll buy a new MB from them.

 

Glad to be of service. Welcome to the cult!

 

thanks for your help Chris!!

Three things I’ve noticed today that I really enjoy.

When putting it in gear, it doesn’t lurch anymore at all. Just gently goes into gear and waits for me to press the gas pedal.

On a cold start off in the morning, I would get a pop into 4th as I gently rolled down my street. That is totally gone now too.

And noticed this afternoon while coming home from the office at 70mph, when taking foot off the gas and/or disengaging the cruise control, you can’t feel it at all. No sense of release of the engine power, it just glides effortlessly like it was in neutral. Love that!

the whole car just seems much happier now, less effort and seems even more smooth and quiet than before. Not giving 100% credit to Amsoil for that, as I am willing to bet the crankcase ventilator, rear flex coupling and new center bearing are contributing as well, but the transmission and application of engine power is very much improved, best it has ever been since I bought the car 6 years ago at around 21-22k miles.

I’ll give it a year and see how it holds up. If it’s the same and Amsoil comes out with a formula for the new 9g box, I will be hard pressed not to do the same for our 2020 GLS too.

 

if you need guidance on that i'm always here

It's a 10.7L capacity, you will end up draining 5L. Again Mercedes does not drain the TC on these unless you strongarm them into doing it.

MB Filter/Pan kit
Filter Kit

The 5L jug from the dealer is $105. Online vendors like AutohausAZ have it for $73. Often dealers will take 25% off the top just for you stopping by, so I actually do recommend visiting the dealer for these items for convenience and to get your name on the books for future business. Vaico and Febi make their own but they literally cost more so i think its an aftermarket buying it from the actual source on these, but they're betting on MB running out of their supply in order to sell theirs at a profit. You see this a lot with aftermarket radiators/water pumps/sensors for stupid applications that often cost more than the OE. AC Delco is notorious for this. It's why their quality is trusted lol.
236.17 Genuine MB ATF

Even if someone is doing it for you, when the time comes I can walk you over the hardware procedure, cuz it invoves a bunch of small parts swapping in addition to the drain and fill to make it work. It's way more complicated but about the same timeframe. I don't actually think anybody has done the service on these and told anybody about it.

GLS are the ultimate SUV, very nice car. horrid on gas but you only make memories once

 

I am today 56. I been 1/2 retired since 2018 and slowly every year I retire more and I am now like 80% retired.
I know I do not want to retire when I am past 60, because at the rate I abused myself since 15 to 45 years old, I am more worn out than most.... Ha ha ha.

Come Covid in 2019 and my desire to be healthier : I reduced my sugar level and loose 8KG , was 75Kg and best weight would be 64KG, I managed to be at 67Kg.
Sugar level down, and blood works numbers better.
Intermittent fasting + some work out.
Today I am at 70KG. Travelling made me fatter....LOL.

My car was the best exercise work-out machine. I get sweaty joy. I can't do any exercise for the sake of only producing sweat, if I gain no personal pleasure.
People go to the gym for work out , I go under my car with with my Quick Jack
I learn more of my car each day I use it to make "sweat".
On the brain activity side , the car also forced me to read and learn..... I truly enjoy it reading the wiring diagram and scoping this and that.

My other businesses are still running, its just I do not run it daily anymore. Someone is doing the daily for me.

So, my itchy hands can always find car related work.,,, its a "good" investment this W212.

 

Super glad to hear that you have improved your health. You are right the best exercise is stuff like you are doing!!

 

Thought I would come back to this one since I started it and did it. The Amsoil is a very nice upgrade for my car. The transmission continues to be buttery smooth in nearly all shifts. Sometimes I still get that kick into 4th at slow/easy speeds, but I think that's more in the solenoids / plate than the transmission itself. I due have a bit more of that bucking in 3rd and 4th at low speeds when it's cold (like leaving the neighborhood speed, 25ish), but I'm not so sure that isn't a different problem like fuel delivery instead of the transmission. I give it a little more gas and it goes away. Probably getting due for a new fuel filter after 9 years or so. Plugs are good. When it's warmed up, I can't feel any of the shift at all now. It gently eases into the next gear, including from 1st to 2nd to 3rd. Rare kick into 4th, but maybe 20% of the time.

Bottom line, I have no issues with the transmission after converting over to 100% Amsoil via the power flush method. Probably driven it 3k miles since doing it.

 

What is the proper service interval for Diffs and Transfer case?

Mine has 44k and the dealer told me it is to be done at 40k. The only documentation I can find online is a 2017 Mercedes Publications that shows 60k miles and some mentions of it being "lifetime" fluid which I wouldn't be comfortable leaving forever.

 

What year is your E?

You’re talking about three different components here. The diff’s use gear oil, and the awd system is fixed with majority of power to the rear at all times. The rear diff gear oil can be changed easily drain/fill. The front however was not designed to be changed for whatever dumb reason from MB, as their is a drain plug but no fill plug, you have to actually remove the front passenger side drive shaft to refill it. IF you ever decide to do that, go ahead and replace the driveshaft seals while you’re at it, because they will leak eventually.

Rest is all inside the transmission housing. Transfer case is baked into the transmission itself, meaning trans fluid change in general. Dumbest damn design I’ve ever seen before, other than the front differential…

 

Not an E. When I did a search I guess I ended up outside of the model I was looking for. I was looking for a 21 GLS X167.

 

40k is about right

the transfer case is 30k on some models, 60k on others. However these cars don't actually have a transfer case that is filled/drained the same way IIRC, it's done through the axle seal. I haven't yanked out bad fluid. It's more of an AMG concern TBH.

the differential "doesn't have one" since it's an open diff, doesn't contaminate itself the way an LSD would

i've pulled perfectly good *looking* fluid at 150k+ before

 

[QUOTE=nc211;8783715]My point, is really simple. Has anyone actually used it in their mercedes e series? There is a loyal following with Amsoil, never really heard anything bad about them myself, and was just curious if anyone here has actually tried it?

I’m curious if it helped to make it even smoother.

Long ago I bought a Mazda 3GT sedan. Wasn’t long before I replaced the trans fluid with an approved Mobile1 fluid, and it made a tremendous difference in smoothness, sound and feel. Was just curious if anyone’s tried it on the benz.

I have used both Mobil 1 and Valvoline MaxLife ATF with excellent results in several of my Mercedes-Benz.

 

Personally, I have no problems with the OE Pentosin ATF 134FE that MB uses (or at least my MB dealership uses). The cars shift smoothly at any gear. Since it works for me, I am wary to change. Minus any problems or material need, changing for the sake of changing can be an expensive experiment if it doesn't work better or even as well.

However, I am diligent about changing fluids on time.

 

[QUOTE=unpolire;8923032]If you don't like it I'll pay for your Pentosin pour. I've done 30 transmission services on the 722.9 with either the OE or Signature Series formula. The OE is perfectly fine, the SS is mainly for towing/temp reasons. Make sure to sign up for the preferred customer program to get wholesale pricing.
https://alphaeuropean.myamsoil.com/

I use their DCT, ATF, oil, gear oil, power steering, and brake fluid. G550, AMG GTS, E550, and S550 all have the entire suite. I also run a full service shop here.

MB dealer doesn't use Pentosin per se, it's a rebranded Shell Spirax ATF134FE made for them although things always change year to year for them. The Pentosin is still correct, but so is Febi Bilstein's formula which Mercedes has also used in the past. It's an expensive experiment I agree, but when you consider that the Pentosin fluid is also prescribed on other, completely different transmissions, it's inherently a multi-spec ATF by itself. I have no leverage to make someone make the switch, but as someone who's first priority is to help people fix their cars FIRST here as a service shop, and then maybe sell some Amsoil on the side. I wouldn't recommend something I don't personally use on my own cars, our customer fleet, and something that isn't backed by Amsoil's own warranty.