CLS350 ATF colour

[allmerc]

Hi all, bought this 2nd hand 13 months ago. I suspected ATF needed changing, contacted the dealer, he told me to take the car to Rivervale/Hove for a free ATF replacement. They claimed they changed the ATF and filter...transmission is still a bit jerky in E mode as I come to stop. Checked the level 2 days ago, level is ok but the colour was more black than green/blue...can’t tell if it smells burnt. Now my concern is: 1- Did they just washed the car and gave it back to me and pretended to have e changed the ATF and filter as it was supposed to be done at no cost to me? Or 2- something is wrong for the fluid to have gone near black colour....or 3- Could it be that dipstick with the red cover, top right hand side of the engine compartment is the engine oil and I am checking the wrong fluid? Any input would be much appreciated. The car is 12 plate and has done 47k.cheers

 

[EmilysDad]

The dip stick is engine oil .... no transmission dipstick, it's a fill level plug on the side of the gearbox

 

[allmerc]

The dip stick is engine oil .... no transmission dipstick, it's a fill level plug on the side of the gearbox

 

[allmerc]

For a change it feels so good to be stupid....thanks a lot...so why make it ****** red rubber cap, make it yellow like many other cars.

 

[Wighty]

For a change it feels so good to be stupid....thanks a lot...so why make it ****** red rubber cap, make it yellow like many other cars.

If you can get under the car , you should be able to tell from the gearbox sump if someone has at least touched it recently

 

[allmerc]

I can’t, too low and all covered up by plastic panels....but I don’t trust any dealers any more....

 

[steveq]

Hi all, bought this 2nd hand 13 months ago. I suspected ATF needed changing, contacted the dealer, he told me to take the car to Rivervale/Hove for a free ATF replacement. They claimed they changed the ATF and filter...transmission is still a bit jerky in E mode as I come to stop. Checked the level 2 days ago, level is ok but the colour was more black than green/blue...can’t tell if it smells burnt. Now my concern is: 1- Did they just washed the car and gave it back to me and pretended to have e changed the ATF and filter as it was supposed to be done at no cost to me? Or 2- something is wrong for the fluid to have gone near black colour....or 3- Could it be that dipstick with the red cover, top right hand side of the engine compartment is the engine oil and I am checking the wrong fluid? Any input would be much appreciated. The car is 12 plate and has done 47k.cheers

It was done free?
It cost over £100 in parts plus about 2 hours labour to do the job.
I would be suspicious of anything free.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It was done free?
It cost over £100 in parts plus about 2 hours labour to do the job.
I would be suspicious of anything free.

I agree.

 

[RhodieBill]

Just to let you know, the ATF Dipstick Cap looks like this and should be towards the rear of the Engine.

There is no Dipstick but you can buy them on Ebay for about 5-7 quid.

I am not saying this is the one you need, but it looks like this.... (Although it does say for 270CDI).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transmission-Dipstick-For-Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-W210-W211-W168-W203-1405891521/233260070475?fits=Car+Make:Mercedes-Benz|Cars+Type:270+CDi&hash=item364f62364b:g:8qQAAOSwUQBdqqSm

 

[alexanderfoti]

A CLS350 will have 7G (722.9) which will not have a dipstick.

 

[allmerc]

It was done for free as I had 12 months warranty but when the vendor sent me to his hoses garage I thought that was suspicious, even though I asked to be shown the filter and oil sample that came out of my car....but there is no way of knowing. Best to go to my local garage after my furlough and get him to do it again as I trust he wouldn’t cheat. As for dip stick, I will have a look and see if I can get one and install. Thanks for all your comments gents.

 

[Wighty]

It was done for free as I had 12 months warranty but when the vendor sent me to his hoses garage I thought that was suspicious, even though I asked to be shown the filter and oil sample that came out of my car....but there is no way of knowing. Best to go to my local garage after my furlough and get him to do it again as I trust he wouldn’t cheat. As for dip stick, I will have a look and see if I can get one and install. Thanks for all your comments gents.

Well I doubt they had a spare used 7g MB oil filter lying around buddy ?

 

[allmerc]

Thanks Wighty, that is reassuring.

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks Wighty, that is reassuring.

But would you recognise one if shown it?

 

[Wighty]

But would you recognise one if shown it?

That was my hope when I said it

 

[allmerc]

I have YouTubed this transmission fluid flush a number of times and have a rough idea what it should look like but NO is the honest answer.

 

[steveq]

It was done for free as I had 12 months warranty but when the vendor sent me to his hoses garage I thought that was suspicious, even though I asked to be shown the filter and oil sample that came out of my car....but there is no way of knowing. Best to go to my local garage after my furlough and get him to do it again as I trust he wouldn’t cheat. As for dip stick, I will have a look and see if I can get one and install. Thanks for all your comments gents.

You will have the 7g+ gearbox (revised version of the 7g for stop/start and other benefits).
No version of the 7g gearbox has a dipstick or even a dipstick tube. It is filled by pumping ATF in through the sump drain plug. There is a little stand-up pipe attached to the sump drain bolt hole on the inside of the sump. The level is checked by running the engine to bring the gearbox up to a set temp and then removing the sump bolt and letting the fluid come out until it is just the odd spurt.

 

[allmerc]

Thanks Steve, much appreciated. Would I get a message in dashboard if ATF is low level, just like the engine oil level?
So the little mild knocking when in E mode, and only when engine is still cold, as I come to to a stop at intersection in a slight uphill, is it anything I should worry about?

 

[steveq]

Hi EJ,
No messages are displayed if the ATF level is too low. That might cause some other fault though which would be displayed.

In terms of the knocking noise -- I would be concerned. How do you know it is coming from the gearbox?

 

[mioba]

To the OP, just be aware the dipstick above is a workshop tool for measuring only and not intended to be left in the car.
Get a decent indy to change the ATF.