Fluid changes
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 436
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From: So Cal
Fluid changes
On my W202 C230 K how often should the transmission fluid and differential fluid be changed? Keep in mind that I drive hard, and put more stress on these components. And coolant is every 3 years right?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
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From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
On a C230 Kompressor, the transmission is filled with a permanent fluid. It's supposed to be a life-fill and never be changed. The only time we change the fluid is when there's something wrong internally with the transmission. And the permanent fluid is very expensive too. I think it's somewhere around $10 a quart. I don't think diff fluid has a recommended change interval either. The only time I've changed diff fluid is when removing the diff and resealing it because of leaks. Coolant is every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
As a tech, what are your feelings about the "Life Fill" on the Transmission. MB has been pushing this life fill on all the late models.
Would like to get your "Personal" view.
Would like to get your "Personal" view.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Yeah I feel as if the permanent fluid is for people who don't really push their car, just drive their car from point A to point B. Seems to me like these fluids should be changed if there is a lot of stress on them by someone who pushes the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
If I owned a vehicle with anything that's supposed to be permanent-fill, I'd change it every 50,000 miles or so. There's no way I'd drive 250,000 miles on the same trans fluid, diff fluid, whatever. Also, the diff fluid should be changed any time the diff has been submerged in water, such as a boat ramp. Mainly this applies to the ML.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
It's good to hear that. So many Mercedes employees are being brain washed with this Life-Fill or 10,000 mile stuff. It's cheap insurance that won't harm anything to take a pro-active approach and change fluids on a scheduled bassis aside and in advance from what Mercedes recommends. Espically if you plan to keep your car past the 4yr/50,000 mile period.
