Ghostty

I did an ABC flush yesterday on my 05 SL500. Had the car for about 2 years or so, decided not to delay it longer. Was definitely happy that I did it - the fluid was brown, maybe even dark brown. Last year, when I checked the fluid, it was still greenish-brown. Very easy process, a friend of mine helped with the rodeo test and was rising and lowering the car while I was poring new fluid. About 30 mins until I got everything ready and 10 mins of the process itself.

Now back to the subject. Before flushing my friend used a non MB computer - not SDS - to do the Rodeo test. It even had a different name, can't recall it now. When he started the rodeo it said "420 cycles left". By "cycle" it means rising and lowering each corner one time. Thus, each corner would go up and down 420 times. Is that how many times take on an SDS rodeo test? I looked up online and there was no detailed explanation regarding how long an actual Rodeo test lasts. I stopped it after about 80 cycles. 420 would take about an hour or so. I thought that would be too much stress on the system as well.

After the flush I did another rodeo. No codes, no problems after that. I will check the level of fluid before I'll use the car again. At the moment of flush, with hot liquid, it was at the top mark.

Regards,
Ghostty

gafitanu

Rodeo with SDS takes approx 10 minutes. It's been a few years since I have done it but it definitely wasn't 420 cycles, maybe not even 80 but that should be sufficient. Good luck.
Radu

Ghostty

Hmm, that makes a difference. Still, any actual cycle count? Just to have a info whenever i'll do it next time


Thank you,
Ghostty

bobterry99

I have filtered my ABC fluid following the factory procedure, and I vaguely recall it involving two back-to-back Rodeo Routines with each lasting 15 minutes. In terms of a "cycle count" simply watch a YouTube video of a Rodeo, count the number of cycles in a time period, and do some math.

gafitanu

I don't mean to scare you but I would be concerned if that fluid was brown, especially if it turned brown within a year. This is a synthetic fluid that would not go brown just because of aging. There are components of the ABC that can rust and that may be a potential cause. Check all the pipes, hoses and connections. Are you in a northern area (snow, salt)? Do you drive it year around?

Ghostty

No worries, nothing to scare there. It was not dark brown, nor it turned brown within a year. It was darkish- green the year before. Also from the research I made over the time is that the fluid is similar to the brake fluid one - it is water based or something like that (it has been long time ago). It is a normal thing for it to change color within 3 years of usage. I did not flush the system since I bought the car (that's 2 years), nor I had a record that the previous owner did it (he had it for a year). So I did it as a part of regular maintenance.

I do try to drive the car at least once a week, since I have another one for daily commuting. And I'm from Sacramento, car bought from San Diego. Since you mentioned, I could still do a visual inspection of the lines and everything whenever the chance will arise. Thank you for your concerns.


​​​​​​Ghostty

Bigsnake

Hi, What do I need for doing a Rodeo test on my SL500 2002?

gafitanu

DAS diagnostic computer setup.