Trans Flush or Service
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Trans Flush or Service
My MY2015 S550 4Matic with 43K miles is due for the transmission service at 5 years so looking to get this done. What is the verdict on flushing vs service with pan removal and new filter/fluids? Flushing seems better as it replaces the fluid but I am concerned about disturbing the trans too much as I have heard the detergents can break stuff loose and mess with the valves and such. Merc dealer wants to do the flush. What is the best option.
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From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
Herd many mechanics say dont flush for the reason you listed.
As far as doing the remove pan and change filter I have done it and its pretty straight forward. You can buy a kit on Ebay for your trans that included filter, pan bolts, and the correct Ravnol fluid and standoff. All that remains is the filler adapter for a few dollars and a scan tool to show trans fluid temp.
I would say one thing though. I think you could get by with no scan tool if you took the time to measure exactly how much fluid came out and put the exact amount new fluid into the car.
As far as doing the remove pan and change filter I have done it and its pretty straight forward. You can buy a kit on Ebay for your trans that included filter, pan bolts, and the correct Ravnol fluid and standoff. All that remains is the filler adapter for a few dollars and a scan tool to show trans fluid temp.
I would say one thing though. I think you could get by with no scan tool if you took the time to measure exactly how much fluid came out and put the exact amount new fluid into the car.
Last edited by Katie22; Sep 28, 2020 at 04:37 PM.
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From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
Regarding the tranny temp check, I’ve talked to a couple of MB techs and they say they never check it.
They just put in what was removed as Katie suggests. Actually, tho, you can use a temp scan gun which are pretty cheap now. And they’re nice to have around for checking coolant temps, a/c vents, a/c leaks, etc.
They just put in what was removed as Katie suggests. Actually, tho, you can use a temp scan gun which are pretty cheap now. And they’re nice to have around for checking coolant temps, a/c vents, a/c leaks, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 291
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From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
Definitely do not let dealer flush the transmission.
My dealer did this to my E320 back in the day. Blew out the transmission seals & destroyed transmission by causing a leak. $6000 to repair...
Drop the pan & service the old fashioned way.
My dealer did this to my E320 back in the day. Blew out the transmission seals & destroyed transmission by causing a leak. $6000 to repair...
Drop the pan & service the old fashioned way.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Dealers have propagated the myth of "sealed for life" transmissions forever. This is bunk. Any oiled mechanical device needs its lubrication changed.
Mercedes spells out a transmission fluid change interval, so yes it should be done.
The service includes a filter change, which requires the pan to be dropped. The WIS procedure also calls for the torque converter to be drained, an important step. This service is not a "flush".
A "flush" is a pressurized oil change that replaces fluid in the cooler lines and cooler. This is rare because of extra time and effort, and does not appear to be called for in WIS.
Mercedes spells out a transmission fluid change interval, so yes it should be done.
The service includes a filter change, which requires the pan to be dropped. The WIS procedure also calls for the torque converter to be drained, an important step. This service is not a "flush".
A "flush" is a pressurized oil change that replaces fluid in the cooler lines and cooler. This is rare because of extra time and effort, and does not appear to be called for in WIS.
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Joined: Nov 2019
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S500 4matic L
Dealers have propagated the myth of "sealed for life" transmissions forever. This is bunk. Any oiled mechanical device needs its lubrication changed.
Mercedes spells out a transmission fluid change interval, so yes it should be done.
The service includes a filter change, which requires the pan to be dropped. The WIS procedure also calls for the torque converter to be drained, an important step. This service is not a "flush".
A "flush" is a pressurized oil change that replaces fluid in the cooler lines and cooler. This is rare because of extra time and effort, and does not appear to be called for in WIS.
Mercedes spells out a transmission fluid change interval, so yes it should be done.
The service includes a filter change, which requires the pan to be dropped. The WIS procedure also calls for the torque converter to be drained, an important step. This service is not a "flush".
A "flush" is a pressurized oil change that replaces fluid in the cooler lines and cooler. This is rare because of extra time and effort, and does not appear to be called for in WIS.
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From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
Tidbit I brought a 27mm socket so I could turn my engine over by hand so I could position the drain on the torque converter. After a half hour of doing this it became clear that on my 2016 Maybach there was NO drain on the converter. Needless to say I have enough trans fluid to do the service again at 100000 miles.
You can buy WIS on ebay for around 8 to 19 dollars.
Here is an example of the service kit you can buy to do the job. Missing is the filler adapter.
http://www.blauparts.com/repair-part...caAi56EALw_wcB
and here is the filler adapter
You can buy WIS on ebay for around 8 to 19 dollars.
Here is an example of the service kit you can buy to do the job. Missing is the filler adapter.
http://www.blauparts.com/repair-part...caAi56EALw_wcB
and here is the filler adapter
Last edited by Katie22; Sep 29, 2020 at 06:24 AM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You can pick up a case of ATF 134 FE from a Shell distributor. The local one near me charges about $83 for a case of 12 quarts.
https://www.shell.us/business-custom...r-locator.html
https://www.shell.us/business-custom...r-locator.html
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Thread Starter
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Went to the dealer and they clarified that the service includes new filter, fasteners and fluids. No flush. Cost is $515.00 plus I have a $150 coupon for MB service so cost will be around $365.00. Worth it for the peace of mind of having it done at the dealer.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You could also check into the cost of a service package. They include the transmission service and spark plugs if they're due. It's a good value just for that. Otherwise it's not worth it. I think you can buy it up to 80k. Depending on when the spark plugs and transmission fluid are due, it could be worth it to get a 3 pack. You can't use those $150 off $300 service coupons on those packages though.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
Say NO to pressurized tranny flushes. My dealer did the 7G tranny / filter replacement at 64K miles. It was included as part of my prepaid service plan that I paid for with the CPO purchase. I’d always thought that a tranny service would be charged extra, but this makes prepaying for service a reasonable deal if the dealer charges that much for a 7G tranny service. Not that it was needed, as I did the service at home at 45K miles anyway. 
. Now I guess I have an extra-clean transmission given that the torque converter can’t be completely drained. And yeah the dealer replaced spark plugs at 54K miles included with prepaid service. Since then I ended up replacing two dead ignition coils at home.
The hardest part of the W222 7G is dropping the contraption which holds up the exhaust pipes. Otherwise, you cannot replace a external-torx screw (single-use) when you drop the pan. They are very large bolts holding up the exhaust. Since then I obtained at a complete set of Williams impact sockets which which extend to even the most massive sized bolts.
. Now I guess I have an extra-clean transmission given that the torque converter can’t be completely drained. And yeah the dealer replaced spark plugs at 54K miles included with prepaid service. Since then I ended up replacing two dead ignition coils at home. The hardest part of the W222 7G is dropping the contraption which holds up the exhaust pipes. Otherwise, you cannot replace a external-torx screw (single-use) when you drop the pan. They are very large bolts holding up the exhaust. Since then I obtained at a complete set of Williams impact sockets which which extend to even the most massive sized bolts.
Last edited by bkdc; Sep 30, 2020 at 11:48 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,714
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Say NO to pressurized tranny flushes. My dealer did the 7G tranny / filter replacement at 64K miles. It was included as part of my prepaid service plan that I paid for with the CPO purchase. I’d always thought that a tranny service would be charged extra, but this makes prepaying for service a reasonable deal if the dealer charges that much for a 7G tranny service. Not that it was needed, as I did the service at home at 45K miles anyway. . Now I guess I have an extra-clean transmission given that the torque converter can’t be completely drained. And yeah the dealer replaced spark plugs at 54K miles included with prepaid service. Since then I ended up replacing two dead ignition coils at home.
The hardest part of the W222 7G is dropping the contraption which holds up the exhaust pipes. Otherwise, you cannot replace a external-torx screw (single-use) when you drop the pan. They are very large bolts holding up the exhaust. Since then I obtained at a complete set of Williams impact sockets which which extend to even the most massive sized bolts.
. Now I guess I have an extra-clean transmission given that the torque converter can’t be completely drained. And yeah the dealer replaced spark plugs at 54K miles included with prepaid service. Since then I ended up replacing two dead ignition coils at home. The hardest part of the W222 7G is dropping the contraption which holds up the exhaust pipes. Otherwise, you cannot replace a external-torx screw (single-use) when you drop the pan. They are very large bolts holding up the exhaust. Since then I obtained at a complete set of Williams impact sockets which which extend to even the most massive sized bolts.
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
As I remember the trans service on the 2015 S550 is not due until 60K miles, at least that was the case on my old car. I thought it was 40K and after some research it was listed as 60K miles.
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From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
Oh and another tidbit. If you have WIS on my car it said to remove the pump (used for start stop feature) at the front of the pan. I DID NOT have to remove this pump to get the pan off. Nor did I have to remove any exhaust components. Mind you this was for the v12 car but the v8 might be the same.
Katie
Katie
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Joined: Dec 2008
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2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
Oh and another tidbit. If you have WIS on my car it said to remove the pump (used for start stop feature) at the front of the pan. I DID NOT have to remove this pump to get the pan off. Nor did I have to remove any exhaust components. Mind you this was for the v12 car but the v8 might be the same.
Katie
Katie
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From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
I recently changed out the fluid on my AMG GTC. Interestingly the car has no filter but within the transaxle there are TWO fluid reservoir and a set of not difficult but exacting procedures to follow. Doing that job was notably more involved than the S Class trans fluid change. Come to think of it I would say the biggest time consuming jog I have done on these cars was change the 24 spark plugs on the Maybach. That took a few hours because I was extremely methodical while doing that one.
Bravo to anyone here doing their own work. The cars are not that difficult to take care of.
Bravo to anyone here doing their own work. The cars are not that difficult to take care of.
