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S-Class (W222) 2014-2020

rear Differential Axle oil, engine oil, coolant

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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 11:16 PM
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rear Differential Axle oil, engine oil, coolant

I checked the 2015 S550 service manual, and there is no recommendation or service interval at all for the rear differential fluid change. It's only for certain AMG models (SLK, CLS, and the E-class). S-class M278 engine doesn't show any service interval recommendation for the rear differential fluid. Is it filled-for-life type of oil? How often should I change it? service advisor 30K miles (on top of his head) but that is not what the manual shows. Any idea? I read online, and some people think it's a lifetime oil, and therefore said, 100k miles as a piece of mind... but again, nothing is based on a clear MB service document.

Finally, other than the dealer, what is the best place /website/store to buy Mercedes-Benz recommended oil and coolant fluids for the V8 (M278) engine (again other than dealer)? The closest dealership to me is 4-5hrs away form way, so it's not an option for me to get it from them.

Last edited by S_W222; Apr 30, 2021 at 11:18 PM.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 08:48 AM
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Mobil 1 is the engine oil Mercedes recommends and can be gotten at Walmart.. I use Amsoil which is arguably the best oil you can buy. They have a version for your car. As far as diff gear oil I used a quality fluid from auto store that meets Mercedes specs for my car. O Riley auto parts sells g40 or 45 I do t remember the exact number at the moment for your coolant.

finally ravnol sells your trans fluid. I am not home at the moment so I don’t have the spec fluid in front of me but someone here will know. You can get this on the internet.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 11:30 AM
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Gear oil and coolant I wouldn’t worry about it until 100k miles. I think if done before that your just wasting your money and time.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 2012 merc amg
Gear oil and coolant I wouldn’t worry about it until 100k miles. I think if done before that your just wasting your money and time.
I opened my air filters today, they looked in good shape, i just vacuumed (to remove apparent dust/leaves) them and cleaned the area around them and put them back. I checked my service history and they were replaced 20K mile / 3 years ago. I checked the manual and it indicates a change every 46500 miles / every 4 years for air filter replacement. Since they are clean, I guess I will wait until the next 12 months whenever I get a chance to stop by the dealership and get a pair of new OEM ones (4-hours away from me).

Is their any website I can use to get the PEM filters online?
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Old May 1, 2021 | 03:01 PM
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Amazon Amazon
, this is for the s560, I'd think if you do a search
you can find the PG's for the S550. Might want to inquire if this is for one of both air filters, I didnt with my wagon and hence I got
stuck with an extra pair. My wagon was even less money I think it was 16 as I remember, it's a deal, they are decent filters and I've seen a lot
of them in my days with owning a ten minute oil change place for 20 years. I generally do the air filters every 30K miles to be safe. I've seen
them look fine at 60K miles and I've seen air filters loaded with sand and other stuff at 20K miles. I'll never forget my 2012 AMG wagon I bought
used with 11K miles on it. I pulled the air filters at 20K miles and they were loaded really bad with sand, the person before me had the car
in PA and must have driven behind sand trucks in the winter time, lol. It's all about driving conditions.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 03:06 PM
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Heres the ones for your S550. Even less money, I looked for questions if this includes the pair, don't see anything, might want to inquire with the seller. It's a great deal either way.
Amazon Amazon
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Old May 1, 2021 | 08:14 PM
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FCP Euro, RMEuropean, AutohausAZ are my top suppliers for parts for (MB and BMW). They carry all the OE/OEM parts, no need to really worry whether your getting a good part. I'll use RockAuto if the price is right and I avoid the cheap, non-euro suppliers.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by bmwpowere36m3
FCP Euro, RMEuropean, AutohausAZ are my top suppliers for parts for (MB and BMW). They carry all the OE/OEM parts, no need to really worry whether your getting a good part. I'll use RockAuto if the price is right and I avoid the cheap, non-euro suppliers.
I use FCP Euro for all my parts as they are 100% replacement policy. If you need to replace anything, even brake pads after they are at the end of their life span, or rotors that are badly warped, or wiper blades, they will refund you the purchase price of your replacement order. I’ve done this several times. Only caveat is that you have to return the old parts to them. Luckily for me they are just a 45 minute drive away and I just drop off the old parts.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 09:07 PM
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No fluid is "lifetime". If a manufacturer does not specify a fluid change interval, as MB does not for several lubricated items, it's a designed obsolescence action taken by the manufacturer.

Transmission is 60k miles per the maintenance booklet.

Rear axle can be done anytime, 60k miles would be fine. I would do it no later than 100k miles if you plan to drive the wheels off the vehicle.

I would buy the axle fluid at the dealer. I realize it's far from you, but when you are in the area, or when you are traveling in another city, stop by an MB dealer and buy the oil. Order the axle drain and fill plugs online, and replace them when you replace the oil.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by S_W222
I opened my air filters today, they looked in good shape, i just vacuumed (to remove apparent dust/leaves) them and cleaned the area around them and put them back. I checked my service history and they were replaced 20K mile / 3 years ago. I checked the manual and it indicates a change every 46500 miles / every 4 years for air filter replacement. Since they are clean, I guess I will wait until the next 12 months whenever I get a chance to stop by the dealership and get a pair of new OEM ones (4-hours away from me).

Is their any website I can use to get the PEM filters online?

a tiny tidbit. Clean filters can still be clogged. How so? Pollen often is not visible but still can clog a filter.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by bmwpowere36m3
FCP Euro, RMEuropean, AutohausAZ are my top suppliers for parts for (MB and BMW). They carry all the OE/OEM parts, no need to really worry whether your getting a good part. I'll use RockAuto if the price is right and I avoid the cheap, non-euro suppliers.
FCP will give you FREE REPLACEMENTS for life. Just purchase them once. You can get a new set every year, no questions asked.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Katie22
a tiny tidbit. Clean filters can still be clogged. How so? Pollen often is not visible but still can clog a filter.
I do the old Sunlight Test. Hold them up to the sun and see how blocked they are.
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Old May 18, 2021 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by S_W222
rear differential fluid change
See attachment for future reference.
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Old May 19, 2021 | 06:46 PM
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This thread reminds me of an engineer I worked with a couple of decades ago.

He towed a 10,000 pound travel trailer on vacation one year (some 3,000 miles from Texas through Colorado and back) and was starting another vacation with the same trailer in the came vehicle the next year and wondered why his transmission broke down only 100 miles from home.

Whenever a fluid providing wear protection is stressed to its maximum, it is better to change it than not.

Now, admittedly, few S-class vehicles are stressed to this level, and admittedly you might be able to get away with it once or twice, long term you should change the fluid.
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Old May 20, 2021 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Denis Osullivan
I use FCP Euro for all my parts as they are 100% replacement policy. If you need to replace anything, even brake pads after they are at the end of their life span, or rotors that are badly warped, or wiper blades, they will refund you the purchase price of your replacement order. I’ve done this several times. Only caveat is that you have to return the old parts to them. Luckily for me they are just a 45 minute drive away and I just drop off the old parts.

They will also give you Free replacement Air Filters, Cabin Filters and also Free Replacement Oil.....
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Old May 20, 2021 | 08:09 PM
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Cool

Originally Posted by konigstiger
See attachment for future reference.
Is there a Front Diff for 4MATIC? If so, can you supply the doc? I would like to Vemo you $5- for every doc I need, or send you and Amazon gift card. I really appreciate what you provide to all the forum members. So in general, can we " Donate " to you Amazon Gift Cards or Vemo Funds... ?

Thanks!
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Old May 21, 2021 | 03:50 PM
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See attachments.


Attached Files
File Type: pdf
install front axle gear.pdf (326.4 KB, 491 views)
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Old May 27, 2021 | 10:59 PM
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No fluid is lifetime. Diff fluid does last longer than the other fluids. Very important to use a high quality fluid meeting MB spec 239.7. I change at 30k for the most part. The diff has no filter and runs pretty hot. I have alot of different vehicles and some beat up oil and fluids worse than others. FYI I did my S diff fluid at about 27K and it looked brand new coming out. I am sure I could have waited. I am going the long haul on this S so I will stay with the 30k change, its cheap. No need to rush coolant either MB has the best coolant out there. I will be doing the trans early at 50K. I live in Florida and it can be brutally hot, so I never skimp on fluids. Walmart for European formula 0w/40 Mobil 1, FCP euro for filter as far as engine oil. Good luck

Last edited by seamus2154; May 27, 2021 at 11:03 PM.
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Old May 30, 2021 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by bmwpowere36m3
FCP Euro, RMEuropean, AutohausAZ are my top suppliers for parts for (MB and BMW). They carry all the OE/OEM parts, no need to really worry whether your getting a good part. I'll use RockAuto if the price is right and I avoid the cheap, non-euro suppliers.
FCP. LIFETIME replacements, no questions asked, Change them every year for free....
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Old Jun 6, 2021 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
See attachments.

Is there any reason you cannot fill from the Drain hole? They make a screw in fitting that you can attach a hose and pump in fluid then remove quickly and put new plug.
Thoughts anyone?
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Old Jun 6, 2021 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
FCP will give you FREE REPLACEMENTS for life. Just purchase them once. You can get a new set every year, no questions asked.
I'll 2nd FCP EURO. I've sent them back used motor oil and they've replaced it free no questions asked. They have a lifetime warranty on EVERYTHING they sell. Genuine Mercedes parts are available through the website.
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Old Jun 6, 2021 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Is there any reason you cannot fill from the Drain hole?
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8039355
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Old Jun 7, 2021 | 08:36 AM
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Totally agree on no fluid is lifetime, despite "lifetime" designations. I change xmsn fluid at 60K, but would change earlier if the car is run hard. I always check FCP Euro first for parts.
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