Howdy all. After a 15 year hiatus I’m back on the forum, lol. I had some updating to do on my signature as my fleet has changed, but the most exciting automotive update is that my wife finally joined the MB family. She traded in our amazing wk2 Grand Cherokee and purchased a CPO 2021 GLS 580 last month for her business, and she is in love with the Benz!
I’ve always been a straight six fanboy but she loves v8’s. We first tested a 450(my favorite) and she liked that but when we sat in the 580 and she hit the start button, her face lit up and I knew that the 580 was going to be in our garage that evening. The power is incredible, and her 580 is absolutely loaded, but this new generation MB is taking some getting used to for me who has always owned and driven classic (w108, w124’s) MB’s.
My immediate question for the group is where do we check the fluid level for the e-abc system? I’ve googled and AI’d this question but the only info I can find is on the older abc systems. I’ve looked in the engine compartment and don’t see any reservoir.

I haven’t driven this GLS 580 much but when I did tonight, I thought that it feels less stable than the 450(airmatic) loaner car we had for a few weeks. (Her 580 was at the dealer for 4 weeks getting a new windshield, new rear bumper, and new tires as part of our deal when she bought the car).

I tired different drive modes but even in sport it felt like the rear end was loose cruising on the highway, but no clunks to tell me something was wrong. By comparison the 450/airmatic was comfortably floaty, and I was ok with that but it tracked better than her 580(23” wheels). This e-abc just feels more floaty in the x axis as opposed to the z axis if that makes sense. I haven’t told her this but it would drive me nuts.

I’d like to check the e-abc fluid level and condition and will likely flush the system before 50k(36k now). I am a full service DIY owner and already changed her oil even though B service is not for 199 days. 10k oil changes are ridiculous in my opinion and if I can change the oil with a factory Hengst filter and Mobil 1 for less than $100 I am going to do that every 5000mi and will sleep better at night.

I’m looking forward to learning more about this new chassis and any wisdom and experiences you all have to share.

PS: I’m researching upgrading her MBUX 548mid(COVID) to the 549high to gain dash cam and better navigation

.👌

 

It looks like this system operates as 4 individual closed-loop hydraulic circuits at each corner. At first glance this is not as DIY friendly as the old system for fluid changes.