Blue Benz

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?

mbtech208

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.

awiner

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.

Blue Benz

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.

mbtech208

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.

awiner

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.