Gear box oil/ transmission oil change

[Terrykal]

That's true. From a total of 8lt on my 320d only 5lt were changed when did it.
This is why some gearbox specialists propose to do a second change in a very-very short period of time.
Can you please advise the total oil volume in litres in order to keep it when time comes? For 1st gen 7g? Thanks in advance.

 

[V6Matty]

7.2l springs to mind but I think it might be more than that.

 

[thebiglad]

+1 on that, worth doing every couple of years if your keeping the car, you never get more than a 65% change anyway unless you drain the TC, even then you probably still only get 85% fresh oil as the pipes and rad hold a surprising amount.

I believe there is a method of autobox oil change via the pipes that run to the oil cooler. Using this approach you should be able to change all the oil in the 'box, pipes, cooler, and torque converter. It goes something like this : you disconnect the the flow and return pipes at a convenient place (often next to the cooler) then connect a new clean oil supply to one pipe and a piece of tubing going to a collecting bucket on the other.

Now start the engine and leave it ticking over with the gearbox in P, new oil is drawn into the circuit and old oil is ejected the bucket. After a short period new oil will start to drain out and you are done.

This is sometimes referred to as an autobox 'flush'.

 

[V6Matty]

I believe there is a method of autobox oil change via the pipes that run to the oil cooler. Using this approach you should be able to change all the oil in the 'box, pipes, cooler, and torque converter. It goes something like this : you disconnect the the flow and return pipes at a convenient place (often next to the cooler) then connect a new clean oil supply to one pipe and a piece of tubing going to a collecting bucket on the other.

Now start the engine and leave it ticking over with the gearbox in P, new oil is drawn into the circuit and old oil is ejected the bucket. After a short period new oil will start to drain out and you are done.

This is sometimes referred to as an autobox 'flush'.

Yep, that’s the best way to do it and does get most of it out, personally it’s a little too advanced for my mechanical skills so doing it twice within 5k does the same sort of affect.

 

[davemercedes]

I had the same quandry regarding the auto box fluid change on my C Class S203. I rang Mercland in Nuneaton : 02476 386327 who told me "every 40K"... but of course it had never been done because my car also was born at the time when MB seemed to be promoting a "sealed for life" idea. I had the transmission done and subsequently they sorted a mysterious "get you home" mode caused by a broken breather pipe. Very friendly and helpful people - the MD: Jay who breathes Mercedes is a forum member.

I'll bet a pint that they will know or find out quickly for you - email them if you prefer at: <sales@mercland.com>

NB: The answer will come back showing the name: Whittleford Auto Services which is the Service Dept trading name.

 

[Jim2]

Yep, that’s the best way to do it and does get most of it out, personally it’s a little too advanced for my mechanical skills so doing it twice within 5k does the same sort of affect.

Yes this is the way to go if you really want to do a complete change and flush. If you had done a previous filter change and were happy with the filter, and just wanted to "flush out the system". I got an extra long Banjo bolt and attached a length of clear tubing to it with the other end in large plastic container ( marked at 2 litre intervals) I the attached the Banjo bolt to the pipe returning the oil to the transmission. Place trans in"P" and start engine...when it reaches the 1st 2 ltr mark on the container, stop engine and refill trans with 2 litre's new oil. Repeat until new fresh oil appear's in the plastic tubing. Remove Banjo Bolt, re-attach cooler return pipe to the transmission, run engine and check for leaks. Run until trans temp reaches 80c, check fluid level top up / remove some fluid as needed. Job done

 

[matthew k]

I had the same quandry regarding the auto box fluid change on my C Class S203. I rang Mercland in Nuneaton : 02476 386327 who told me "every 40K"... but of course it had never been done because my car also was born at the time when MB seemed to be promoting a "sealed for life" idea. I had the transmission done and subsequently they sorted a mysterious "get you home" mode caused by a broken breather pipe. Very friendly and helpful people - the MD: Jay who breathes Mercedes is a forum member.

I'll bet a pint that they will know or find out quickly for you - email them if you prefer at: <sales@mercland.com>

NB: The answer will come back showing the name: Whittleford Auto Services which is the Service Dept trading name.

Just out of interest, at what mileage was the first oil change?

 

[davemercedes]

Just out of interest, at what mileage was the first oil change?

40K I think. But there was nothing scheduled - the car was sold on ‘ASSYST’ when the car told you via the OBD when a “service” was due (it’s still set up the same way) and there was no mention of changing the transmission fluids - almost as tho it didn’t exist. Before I spoke to Mercland I called MB and the best answer they could give was “variable” + lots of waffle that nearly drove me round the bend.