Our 2010 GL550 is just under 80k miles. The maintenance booklet only mentions the usual things to inspect (hoses, wipers, etc.). The only SERVICE it mentions is the normal engine oil/filter change, plus the transmission (fluid/filter change) and lastly new spark plugs (just did these yesterday).


That's it? What's all this about (on the forums) the transfer case, differentials, etc.? Heck my Acura RL had more routine maintenance needs than our GL.


I do NOT want to throw money away on non-essential items...but I don't want to be naïve either. Brakes are fine, so are the air filters (engine and cabin units), etc. The vehicle never goes off-road, just the typical grocery-getter, daily driver for the wife.


What am I missing?

 

I would do the front & Rear Diffs; as well as the transfer case every 75k miles. don't forget coolant & brake fluid. For the brake fluid, use ATE Type 200. For coolant use OEM or Zerex G05

 

We normally use the local "Oil Change" place down the street. Do you think that one of those "types" of shops could also do the diffs/transfer case? It's just empty/refill...right?


Brake fluid was done about 18 months ago. MB says the coolant is good for 150k miles or something like ten years, so I may pass on that one.

 

dont know what to tell you on why the booklets dont list them

but i bought all my mercedes off service records and did a lot of shopping around etc

i found several mercedes with vmi showing 10-15 grand in repairs and maintenance all at the dealer over 2-3 year periods where they somehow missed changing the fuel or air filters for 60-70,000 miles

i do not trust mercedes service depts or the booklet at all, the booklet is confusing and not well done in my opinion




i want my cars to last years and high mileage so i err on the side of caution on all this


if my differential/transfer case rebuilder says the transfer fluid needs changing every 10-20,000 and the chain will stretch if you dont, then that is when it is going to get done

same for diffs

this is just not enough money to not do it to me

why would your acura need more fluids changed than your mercedes, that does not make sense to me
i personally think all these fluids need changing on a reasonable schedule on all cars

if there were zero front diff and transfer case failures on here and the other mercedes forums then maybe i could see not worrying about it

but do some searches and you will find plenty of issues

that is just my 2 cents

 

Thanks for all the advice. I WILL have the transfer case and diffs serviced at the next interval.


Regarding the Acura RL (2005), the "maintenance minder" would show up on the display reminding you of every service interval. There were different messages depending on what service it was suggesting: oil change, air filter, transmission, differential, etc.


It's interesting and a little disappointing that MB still relies so heavily on booklets (how 1970's).


We plan on keeping the GL for at least another 3-4 years. So the diffs/case will certainly be serviced very soon.

 

check your idler Pullies and Belts.

 

I'm taking my SUV to a local Indy on Tuesday. He has been very reliable and comes highly recommended. When I spoke to him on the telephone, he confirmed what most of you have been saying: diffs and transfer case needs to be serviced.


I asked that he inspect the serpentine belt and pulleys too. So far, here's my 80k tune up:


Adjust headlights - $50
Inspect/replace serpentine belt and/or pulleys - $0 to $110
Engine oil & filter change - $100
Service transmission (fluid flush, new filter, etc.) - $320
Service differentials and transfer case (fluid flush, etc.) - $75
Check for inconsistent rough idle - tbd
Resolve musky odor issue from AC system (on initial start) - $50
Inspect/repair front passenger door lock (strange noise and delay when locking) - tbd
Inspect/repair drivers door handle (will not unlock properly) - $300
Alignment - tbd


I already did the spark plugs ($50) and installed a new vacuum/air pump ($100)for the multi-contour seats last week. Plus new tires ($1,800) were installed about two months ago. I thought once this thing was paid off it would be "FREE"...LOL.