GDawgC220

does any of the services include a transmission fluid and filter change? I'm assuming not in A service but I'm guessing in B?

sosh

Do not believe so as MB says the trans fluid is "lifetime". Some of the owners have changed fluid around 30 to 60000 miles.

ultracarnut

I just had my fluids and filter changed. YOU MUST GO TO AN MBZ REPAIR SHOP TO GET THIS SERVICE DONE. I did and it will save me purchasing a new transmission. MBZ is full of crap to say LIFETIME fluids in transmission. GET IT CHANGED ASAP IF YOU HAVE OVER 60K ON THE TRUCK.
ALSO HAVE YOUR AXLES FLUID CHANGED AS WELL!! GOOD LUCK.

pointman

mercedes benz dealers will NOT ever change tranny fluid even if you ask them too. they arent allowed to by mbusa rules. they used to, but no longer do.

ultracarnut

ya ,,,you know why....they make more money replacing the transmissions and axles!!

ima55r2

My dealer did it last month for $180... Its not covered under an A or B service. He said it wasn't necessary because its an electronic transmission?, but it wouldn't hurt either. Independent MB shops said the disks were organic and as they wore down, fibers would clog the filter and burn up the transmission? I don't know enough to say who's right but a tech article with an AMG engineer said to change the fluid because it wouldn't go for 100k miles.

If you do have free maintenance, brake fluid and coolant will be changed at the appropiate time.

pointman

i know as of recently dealers arent doing it anymore cause MBUSA told them not too...that it goes against what they preach about the trannies never needing service.

GDawgC220

if tranny's are burning out because of the "lifetime" fluid...can't a lawsuit be started against MB and get them to repair/replace the tranny on their dime?

Since the stuff that comes out when techs drain it is so dark and more metal shavings than normal, I would think that something can be done to protect the consumer from the tranny burning out and in need of replacement, which costs thousands of dollars...

pointman

where do i sign up?

GregW / Oregon

There was a good DIY article published in the May/June 1998 Star with lots of photos showing how to change engine, tranny, transfer case and both diff fluids. I can scan and post it if anyone is interested.

pointman

that'd be awesome! if it doesnt fit here...please email it to me...ahopeter@yahoo.com

thanks!

GregW / Oregon

Here are links to two articles I scanned @ 200 dpi that appeared in the May/June & July/August 1998 issues of the Star. The first covers fluid changes for the engine, transmission, differentials and transfer case, and the second general checks.
M_Class fluid changes 1

M_Class fluid changes 2

M_Class general checks

Kar don

Wow! Thanks for the article! I am going to go and get all this done and have the dealer perform a transmission flush. Should I do it even tho my transmission shifts pretty smoothly?

pointman

GregW, youre a good man! appreciate the email!

pointman

Al, the dealer wont do the tranny fluid change...they cant under new MBUSA guidelines. supposedly it goes against what MB preaches to its customers about lifetime tranny fluid, so they dont change it for people anymore. and YES, you should still get it changed regardless of smoothness.

Kar don

can you use Mobil 1 ATF? Id also like to do my diffs and transfer case too.

phrak9

I've been following the thread and found the information about the tranny service very helpful. I was wondering if there is a solid figure( like someone that's actually done it personally) on ATF quantity needed to replace what drains out of the torque converter and pan on the ml430. I will measure what comes out anyway, but, I wanted an amount to purchase. Thanks,

--Eric Wolfe

ML320CHROME20s

had mines done 4 days ago. $250. oil change n plugs all came out to $610

phrak9

Im doing the work myself. The gastket for the pan, filter, "dipstick" and plug came to $60 shipped. All thats left is fluid and my time
I have found all kinds of quantitys used in a trans change from 3 to 7+ quarts. Was just looking for a more solid number for ordering, don't want too much and don't want too little. Thanks,

--Eric

ML320CHROME20s

well they told me the fluid alone was $100....if that would help u in anyway.

pointman

where did you get it done? thanks

pcy

For some reason, I couldn't access the above links.
If you don't mind, would you please send me the files to pcy@lucent.com

Thanks in advance
pcy

GregW / Oregon

I just returned from three weeks in Italy and was alerted by e-mail that I left off the last page of the third article I originally posted on June 7. My apologies. Here is a repost of the complete series, including the missing piece.

M_Class fluid changes 1

M_Class fluid changes 2

M_Class general checks p. 1

M_Class general checks p. 2

Harder

Hi,

Have done a transmission fluid change myself on my 2002 ML320 I can say it takes 3 3/4 Qts to fill the pan. The capacity of the total fluid system is 8 qts. That includes the transmission, torque converter and the cooler in the radiator.

Steven---

Harder

Hi,

I use Mobil 1 ATF in my 2002 ML320. In short any good quality Dexcon III (SP?) transmission fluid will work just fine. The transfer-case gets the same fluid as the transmission. I use 85W90 Hypoid Gear oil in both Differentials.

Steven---