Mercedes Benz 5 speed Autobox longevity

[The Hammer]

Having just bought a 1998 C240 with 93,000 on the clock that as far as I know has never had the Autobox fluid changed, I was wondering what sort of mileages owners on this forum had achieved on these "sealed for life" 722.6 boxes that were the norm on most Mercedes between 1996 and until fairly recently, WITHOUT changing the ATF? My own is currently extremely smooth and hoping it stays that way!!

 

[Schtum]

I had mine changed at 60k. Cheaper than a new box and worth it for peace of mind IMO. Dealer charged just over £120 (Inc fluids) to do it.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Hi,
My W208 230KSport has done 75k miles without a change.
It always changes very smoothly even on the odd ocassion when I've
booted it away from the lights.
I have only been enjoying the benefits of ownership for the last 5k miles,
I assume that before I bought, it had spent some time sitting in a car lot
which people have said auto box's don't like.
Initially I dont think it would change up into 5th much below 50 mph,
bearing in mind the engine characteristics, is quite a high engine speed.
However its now bedded itself back in so to speak; one thing I've noticed is
that on the 'overrun' in 5th there appears to be a 'free wheel effect' whereby
engine revs drop to vertually tick over.

Tim ( a happy CLK owner)

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I should have added that I've had some feed back on its service history
and I've been advised not to change the fluid untill at least 100k miles.

 

[television]

I should have added that I've had some feed back on its service history
and I've been advised not to change the fluid untill at least 100k miles.

Strange feedback to say the least, its done at 40k by MB when on assyst

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

This is based on the advice of the guy who I entrust those jobs to that I
dont want to do myself.
He did a auto fluid change I believe at 117 k miles on his own estate and said that the fluid and filter were still clean.
Knowlegde of the vehicle concerned also plays apart.
This is realy a discussion regarding the merits of term as opposed to periodic
servicing sometimes called RCM in Marine Engineering.
Looking through my sericing schedule, maintanance has been conducted at
irregular milage intervals, I assume in accordance with ASSYST on the dsah-
board. What Car Guide ( dont laugh not everbody wants to pay large servicing
bills) states every 9k miles and the handbook doesn't say.
I intend to change at 9k next time anyway because I put Castrol Magatec in
last time ( a semi synthetic oil that meets the Merc Spec) because the motor
trader used a GM Synthetic SAE 5W30 oil that didnt meet the Merc spec.
Am I the only one who thinks that a SAE 30 grade oil is to thin for summer use
here in the SW bearing in mind ambient temp hit 30 degree's C last summer ?
Back to my question for the future should I service annually or 9k miles or when the display in the speedo says so ?

Cheers
Tim

 

[jberks]

I should have added that I've had some feed back on its service history
and I've been advised not to change the fluid untill at least 100k miles.

I'd say this is bad advice. Whilst I disagree with oil changes inside the assyst schedule (I can't see the point) I also think 100k is too long for the gearbox. Possibly ok for a 3 year old 100k motorway car but not for a normal use car. 40-60k is reasonable - any more is risky.

 

[television]

As Jberks, your dealer / service guy is living in the past, 40k now, it should be changed as on service assyst

 

[Blobcat]

Change ATF once at 40K miles is the recommendation in the latest service booklets issued with new cars. And it is the same for both 7G & 5G auto boxes.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Thanks for the info' guys

Cheers
Tim

 

[The Hammer]

Guys--the reason I ask is that on ebay and in Autotrader you see dozens of E and C class automatics (5 speed)with mega mileages apparently still going strong and I would assume many of them still being on the original atf and gearbox. Are we being over cautious when you consider how many of them are out there and still ok or do you think many of them have had new or repaired transmissions costing megabucks?

 

[Blobcat]

Guys--the reason I ask is that on ebay and in Autotrader you see dozens of E and C class automatics (5 speed)with mega mileages apparently still going strong and I would assume many of them still being on the original atf and gearbox. Are we being over cautious when you consider how many of them are out there and still ok or do you think many of them have had new or repaired transmissions costing megabucks?

IMO the reason that MB have changed their minds on ATF replacement is that some gearboxes were failing within the 3yr warranty period. Therefore they are recommending now a change.

 

[television]

Guys--the reason I ask is that on ebay and in Autotrader you see dozens of E and C class automatics (5 speed)with mega mileages apparently still going strong and I would assume many of them still being on the original atf and gearbox. Are we being over cautious when you consider how many of them are out there and still ok or do you think many of them have had new or repaired transmissions costing megabucks?

Just because something is working, that is no guarantee that the transmission fluid is not behaving like a grinding paste, slowly shortening the life of the box.

I cant see why all of the fuss, we all chnge our engine oil, so why not the gearbox

 

[BlackC55]

Strange feedback to say the least, its done at 40k by MB when on assyst

Not anymore. They have stopped that.

 

[television]

Not anymore. They have stopped that.

So they have stopped doing the change at every 40k, when was it stopped, my info is good to 06.06

 

[BlackC55]

At the end of last year.

It came up on the ESS before that. Then all of a sudden dissapeared and then a email came out to telll us all that if fact they had changed their minds

 

[Blobcat]

At the end of last year.

It came up on the ESS before that. Then all of a sudden dissapeared and then a email came out to telll us all that if fact they had changed their minds

Interesting as it is in the service books in the cars

 

[hawk20]

At the end of last year.

It came up on the ESS before that. Then all of a sudden dissapeared and then a email came out to telll us all that if fact they had changed their minds

So what are they saying? Back to sealed for life????

 

[mlc]

Going back to the original question, what mileage do owners get? I have recently had a replacement auto box in my 2001 S320 at 71K miles. Life expectance is related to use, town work does more damage than motorways. my local auto box specialist recommends an oil chnage every 40K miles / 3years which ever comes first, the same advise they have given for the last 20 years.

Mark.

 

[BlackC55]

So what are they saying? Back to sealed for life????

Yes. But It seems like they cant make up their mind in what to do. I know for sure that is has come off the ESS (electronic service sheet).

I will give a friend of mine at my local dealer a bel later to double check.