grane

2002 G500 with 70k miles. I plan to keep the truck indefinitely.

I do regular A and B services.

Because I use this off road as well as highway, I thought it would be a good idea to change the "lifetime" transmission and differential fluids this spring.

The dealer quoted me a price that took my breath away.

I have a local independent retired MB tech who will do the job using MB fluids and parts.

What should I expect to pay for this service?

Are any special tools or fixtures required?

Is changing these fluids prudent or am I being ****? I never had a vehicle that did not benefit from fluid changing.

What other fluids should be changed at this time?

Any other tips?

Thanks,
Grane

whoover

The transmission fluid replacement should be about $250. It's expensive because there is no drain hole on the torque convertor. The proper way to do it is to use a flusher (which hooks up to the trans cooler hoses) and run at least twice the normal capacity of fluid through until everything is clean. Then carefully drain the clean fluid, replace the filter and replace the clean fluid. You have to use MB fluid, which is expensive.

The "cheap" way: dropping the pan, replacing the filter and then refilling the transmission leaves a ton of dirty fluid in the convertor, and is pretty much a waste of time and money. A proper replacement at between 70K and 100K miles is a very good idea.

Untertürkheim

Lifetime fluid only means the lifetime of the part. If you do not change it, the transmission will probably last about 100k miles. I would change it every 40k miles, and the transmission will probably last as long as the rest of the car with that schedule.

Differentials also at 40k.

C32AMG/02

+1

grane

how does one go about changing the diff fluids? Are there any other parts that are needed? Are MB fluids required?

Are MB dealers equipped to do the flush properly? Should I ask the independent to show or describe to me how they do it?

Thanks,

Grane

Untertürkheim

Differential fluid can be a very messy and difficult task, plus it requires a 13mm hex in most cases. Additionally, filling is difficult and you must use MB-approved fluid, usually a synthetic gear oil, although weight will vary depending on model.

The dealer should be able to flush the transmission and change the filter, the indy probably not. This does require MB fluid and filter.

211076-113990

I reccomend differential, transmission, and tansfercase fluids on 163's at
100k. Don't have many high mileage 463's here. A 2002 should have a torque converter drain. MB took them away in 2000-2001, but by 2002 most had them back. have your tech check. The independant should be able to do the work, but these are expensive cars, with expensive assemblies. Maintainence is not the place to save a buck, it could cost you. Cut your kids allowance instead....

grane

By this you mean a special valve or fitting that drains the torque converter in addtion to the rest of the automatic transmission? Where is this located?

BTW, I did notice that there is a red cap that has to be broken off where the transmission neck filler is. This an inexpensive part that has to be replaced. The parts person also said something about a special dipstick that they use to measure the amount of fluid in the transmission - I could purchase one if I was a DYIer - but i figure if they do an entire flush and replace they should have that tool anyway.

Thanks for all the help! I'll do the fluid changes in the spring at the next scheduled service.

Grane
PS
I don't have any kids I know of. Just bird dogs.

whoover

When you drop the transmission pan and expose the torque convertor, most torque convertors have a drain hole with a bolt sealing it closed. You rotate the transmission so this bolt is facing down and remove it, thereby draining the significant amount of fluid in the convertor.

Late model MB transmissions don't have this hole. The TC is sealed, with no way to drain its fluid. That's why draining and refilling won't work for this car. So instead, the dealer does a flush, which will replace everything in the transmission including the TC. That's why a transmission fluid change on a late model MB is beyond most DIYers and many independent shops.

grane

At my dealership it is hard to get real info from anyone except two people who will go nameless.

Thanks again,
Grane

It is amazing how cheap and easy it is to work on the NSX compared to a MB. I also get 25 mpg.

SL2003driver

Asked the SA at my dealership today how they change transmission fluid on a 2003 SL500. They don't do a flush, they just drop the pan and change the filter. He quoted $350 for that service. I doubt I will have this vehicle after my MB CPO 3 year 100K mile warranty is up. Would you guys recommend doing this expensive service or just drive it and sell it before the warranty is up. If it breaks before 100K or 3 years they have to fix it for free. I guess if I get close to the end of 3 years or close to 100K miles and decide I want to keep the car I could do the service then or would that be to late to do any good?

grane

after the 100k is up?

Does the car have any trade-in value at the 100k point at the MB dealer or is it just opportunity, eg they have a car they want to move?

SL2003driver

Doubt I will have 100K at the end of 3years, but every car has some value, who knows what that might be 3 years from now?

grane

http://www.clubgwagen.com/gtech.php?...id=item&tid=59

SL2003driver

Bottomline I've decided not to change my fluid. I have a CPO 3 year 100K mile Mercedes warranty and I will not keep my SL beyond the warranty period. So why change the fluid since MB does not recommended doing so and if I have it changed there is always a chance the tech could get dirt in my transmission doing more damage then not ever changing the fluid would. Plus my dealer wants $350 to do the transmission service which I think is kindo of high. How does my logic sound?

C230 Sport Coup

I was surfing around, and saw this thread.
I recently did the full flush on the tranny and had the fluid tested at
122K miles.

Supposedly a dealer did it for me as well, but only listed 4 quarts used.
And even after I checked it, it was green. I doubt they did it.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/237604-c230-sport-coup-s-all-things-transmission-related.html

An excerpt from the Blackstone labs report:

"The greenish tint you mentioned is what an oil looks like after is starts to oxidize heavily. You can see this at the insolubles as well. These are solids in the oil and not only show the oil has been run too long,they also show the filter was no longer doing a good job. Wear metals were high and some of these are likely factory leftovers since this appears to be factory oil. They may not show a major problem, but they have a long way to go before we can call them normal (see universal averages based on a ~37,000 mile oil run). Check back in 10,000 miles."

So in the end, we learn that the "lifetime" fill is just pure Bunk.
I flushed till it came out red, 12 quarts later.
Runs smoother, but god knows the damage is done.

benz-tech

dont bother with a trans flush, just have the normal service. 4 qts every 40-50k is plenty good. if for some reason the fluid comes out looking like poo, just have them drain and fill the trans fluid at your next A-service without changing your recently replaced filter and pan gasket.

mleskovar

Sounds like my experience exactly....last Friday picked up car and when I read the work order it said 4 quarts. SA said all trans fluid was replaced but couldn't comment on just 4 qts in the bill. I will have it tested to see how much residual metal remains. My insolubles went up to .1% at 135K miles so I changed it. The transmission has remained solid and smooth since new. Also....the filter in the transmission is only meant for big chunks so I don't know what Blackstone is referring to. And the wear particles are cumulative when you don't change the fluid so of course there's more.

Untertürkheim

Just identify your car to the forum so that we all know to avoid it.

vettdvr

This is what I do,, Our E500 takes 4 qts , filter and gasket. All MB parts/fluids cost at home is about $130 + my time. I can do the job in about 1 1/2 hrs. It takes me 4 hrs just to drive to the dealer and back. So I can do it in less time than it takes to take the car in.

The first change was at 70,000 miles and the fluid/pan were both still clean. Black for the oil but that was expected. The entire transmission was clean. I realize the TC was not changed but I have run auto tranny's for over 200000 never training the TC only changing the pan and gasket.

AH1W-COBRA

Otherwise we will be advising the sad new owner of your last benz how to arrange a tranny replacement on a car that only has 100k miles on it.we all have a responsibility and a part in MB longevity,we can "assist" the manufacturer in their reputation for reliability and longevity.

AH1W-COBRA

Your old benz will be someones new "dream car" someday.they will be so proud of it,they will take all their friends for a ride,most of whom have never even sat in a MB,they will want to take it on a road trip and feel the joy,prestige and feel of a MB on the open road.THEN!,the tranny will take a massive "CRAP" and ruin the total experience and we will have another sad owner of the worlds finest automobile.

SL2003driver

You guys are too funny. You can rest now, I traded the 2003 with 40K miles on it for a new 2008 SL550. MB recommends a transmission service on the new ones at 30K miles which I will take care of. But at this moment I only have 1500 miles on my new SL.

AH1W-COBRA

I buy your hand me downs and iv'e never had a lemon yet,but i know the potential is allways there.i buy previously owned vehicles because i prefer ownership,my accountant says im losing but i just cant get over the cost of new equipment.iv'e never even driven a brand new MB before.Congrats!

SL2003driver

I've always bought used myself. But I wanted a new one with the old style front, and I really wanted a white one. Maybe I will keep this one for several years so I don't lose my butt on it.