Corsa9000

As per advice from various members here, I had my transmission fluid changed along with filter and gasket replaced yesterday in my 2004 S55.

The smoothness of shifts and overall feel is noticeable. I believe MB now recommends this service every 30K miles.

maw1124

Is anyone here having a FULL trans fluid drain with this service? My MB Tech tells me they only drain 5 quarts with the standard filter and gasket service, which to me defeats the point.

I'm considering it in the next day or so and need some quick intel. All responses are appreciated. Sorry for the late notice.

Thanks in advance.

maw

Corsa9000

My tranny service paper work lists 5 quarts as well. If you look inside any automatic transmission, it has endless crevices which makes it impossible to get all the fluid out 100%.

This has been the case with auto transmissions forever.

josephpampliega

Should be approximately 9.5 qts if they are also draining the torque converter and fluid cooler.

sound 8

Please have this done, my 600 didn't get it and I ended up with a new g/box.

maw1124

I understand all of that. But the MB Techs know how to do it. You basically flush the old fluid through with new fluid until it's all out. I think I know what the deal is. I'll pay for the extra fluid if they'll do the work to flush all the gunk out. Someone on the board made a very good point of it being 9.5 quarts for the tqc and the coolers, all of which I want containing new fluid. So I'll pay the extra $90 bucks in fluid costs.

Thanks much.

Corsa9000

Maw1124

I don't think that is how it works. You can pour in 50 quarts of fresh tranny fluid from the top and get most of it back at the bottom, but the fluid does not pass through all the crevices, unless you put filter, gasket back together, power up the car and shift through the gears.

You might be thinking engine oil change, tranny is different.

josephpampliega

Reason why I mentioned 9.5 qts is because I do it myself now because dealer didn't want to fully flush even when mentioning to pay for extra labor and fluid.

What's strange is it even mentions on the MB Workshop manual how to perform.

As for 5.5 qts I beleive that's just a pan drain and refill.

Whether it was my S500, S55, or S550 . Approx. all the same in quantity when performing service.

Drain pan: 5 qts
Drain torque converter: 3.5 qts.
Remove Filter: 1 pt.
Blow Air through Cooler: 1 pt.

Sometimes 9.5 qts, sometimes a little more. (Of course topping off at recommended fluid temp)

maw1124

My guys ended up swapping 8 quarts. That service, plus the B service for which the car was due was less than the dealer's quoted $390 for the 5 quart tranny service. So I think the intel for this group is, either you roll with the dealer's 5 quart service, or talk to your indy about getting as close to "all of it out" as you can (somewhere between 8 and 10 quarts) for less money.

Either way, I agree it's a service you should definitely do, particularly if (as most smart people) you bought your car used. I got lucky, they tell me the fluid was clean, no metal shavings in the pan, etc., which is more confirmation that this car is the cream puff I thought it was when I bought it. But trans fluid and filter is one of the changes I like to make (just like fuel filter and brake fluid) as a matter of course, just to clean out all of the "old ownership regime." The trans fluid in particular gives a better indication of what the car has really been through.

Thanks all for your help.

Best,

maw

Taiwanese

Is it possible to do?
drain & filter change
drive
drain & fill
drive
drain & fill