Hello,

I have a 2015 SL 400 & I recently took it in for A service. The MB dealer is suggesting transmission service (filter replacement, fluid replacement, flush, etc.). I am concerned with replacing the fluid & having this service done as I've always been advised never to replace the transmission fluid, unless you are experiencing problems. I have no transmission issues & only have 30,000 miles on my car. The dealer is suggesting it be done every 6 years (which I am at) or 60,000 miles. I've had my car for about 3 years now & have always done all the maintenance it required...I'm just not sure about this transmission service.

Has anyone had this service done & would you advise to get it done or not? Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Get the service done. It’s specified by MB and in my subjective opinion it helped with my 7G.

”Lubed for life” statement from other brands is a myth and wrong. It supports designed obsolescence and vehicle end of life sooner than it would otherwise happen.

Get the service.

 

I will soon be in the same situation with my SL. I have a good Indy and I will consult with him after hearing what my dealer has to say about a tranny flush and fill. BMW says their trannies are filled for life and need no service but some dealers do recommend and flush and fill around 60K miles or 6 years.

OP, did your dealer quote you a price? Thanks.

 

They did, $500 even for the Transmission Service which included:

• Transmission Filter Replacement
• Transmission Fluid Change
• Transmission Flush
• Transmission Restoration
• Transmission Repair
• A Full Mercedes-Benz Transmission Service includes a gasket, filter replacement, flush, fluid change, hose and pan inspection and a free multi-point inspection on all other components.

Think I'm going to get it done as MB suggested.

Nice SL btw, I have the same interior color...luv it!

 

I recently opted to have the transmission fluid replaced in my new-to-me 2013 SL63. Only ~20K miles but at 8 years old, I felt it was overdue (I had the service records and it had not been done previously). Cost was $312 at my MB indy. Shifting performance seems the same after the fluid change, not that I had any complaints previously. The mechanic stated that the old oil looked to be in good shape, so maybe I could have waited.

 

Is a transmission flush and fill recommended by Mercedes for any of their vehicles?

 

Yes. My 2013 maintenance book says it is required for AMG SLs at 4 years or 40,000 miles and for the other SLs at 7 years or 70,000 miles. I don't have any idea about the facelift models.

 

Yes, for the 166 platform.

According to this dealer site, all models today have recommended transmission service at 60k miles: https://www.waltersmercedesbenzofriv...ice-intervals/

 

I'll be consulting my dealer and my Indy next year as mine will be 7 years old in 2022. I need to check the service history to see if perhaps this was done as part of the CPO process before I purchased the car but I doubt it. Thanks for the info.

 

Randall, please see posts 28 and 29 of the other thread in this forum - "Preventative Maintenance Recommendations". In particular, somewhere in between 2013 to 2016, MB shortened the interval on automatic transmission fluid changes. Not sure where yours would be, but conceivably due already if going "by the book".

Now my personal opinion is that nothing in the physical systems (mechanical or fluid details) would have changed but rather it is more likely due to a simplification of the maintenance requirements across their entire model lineup. But I could be wrong, and anyway as stated before, I like to follow the manufacturers' recommendations (relevant to the particular model year) to a "T".

 

The attached is surprisingly not referenced in the SL threads. Is it unknown among SL owners?

 

My Indy can do it if it's a simple drain, filter swap and fill. If it requires a power flush, may have to visit my dealer. Found a kit on FCPEuro:
​​​​​​https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...tosin-7229late

 

There is no power flush specified by WIS. It’s a pan drain and filter change. WIS calls for torque converter drain, if a drain screw is provided. Not all MB transmissions have torque converter drain screws.

 

Just checked my 2015 maintenance booklet. Transmission service is at 60k miles/6 years so mine is due now. Getting estimates from my Indy and my dealer.

 

My Indy says $185 labor to perform the transmission service. I will provide a kit with parts and fluid. Still waiting on a quote from the dealer.

 

Dealer called with cost. $750.

 

Just had it done on my 2013 SL with 42K miles. Also, had the diff service done.

I think it's worth doing on schedule because if there's a brewing problem they'll see evidence of it when they open it up and change the filter. I suspect a lot of SLs that go through multiple owners never get those services done.

Had the local dealer do it since I don't know any Indy's around here that I trust to do the work. Trans service was about $550. A good bit of the cost is parts, especially the oil (6 qts at $30/qt).