The Critic
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: The Critic
In connection with my thread in the engine oil section, it seems like Mercedes is reducing the service intervals for their cars. From the 2009 maintenance manual, I noticed that Mercedes now requires a transmission fluid and filter change every 4 years or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first on all of their vehicles.
I guess the new 722.9 7-speed automatics need more frequent maintenance than its predecessors. The constant shifting must be putting some serious stress on the fluid.
Instead of going forward towards fill-for-life fluids, it seems like Mercedes is going backwards! Are we reaching a point where transmission fluid durability is unable to meet the demands of these highly sophisticated transmissions?
Sorry to dig this up, but I didn't want to start another thread on this. In addition to extending the life of the trans, this is also a huge revenue generator for MB service depts. On our C300, this trans service costs $600 and supposedly indy shops don't have the right equipment to do this properly, so you're stuck with dealer service. I guess MB thinks they can get away with it... something along the lines of, "Hey, if you can afford a new MB, what's another $600 every couple of years or so? You'll get free coffee out of this, so it's all good."
Interestingly enough, the maintenance manual of our 2008 C300 only shows a single ATF change required at 39K miles and nothing after that, which is a bit odd. In 2009 they started with this "every 40K miles" schedule as The Critic pointed out.
My local MB dealer charges $418:
http://www.montereymercedes.com/specials/service.htm
Still, $600 is cheaper than a new transmission if an independent screws it up.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
In connection with my thread in the engine oil section, it seems like Mercedes is reducing the service intervals for their cars. From the 2009 maintenance manual, I noticed that Mercedes now requires a transmission fluid and filter change every 4 years or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first on all of their vehicles.
I guess the new 722.9 7-speed automatics need more frequent maintenance than its predecessors. The constant shifting must be putting some serious stress on the fluid.
Instead of going forward towards fill-for-life fluids, it seems like Mercedes is going backwards! Are we reaching a point where transmission fluid durability is unable to meet the demands of these highly sophisticated transmissions?
Sorry to dig this up, but I didn't want to start another thread on this. In addition to extending the life of the trans, this is also a huge revenue generator for MB service depts. On our C300, this trans service costs $600 and supposedly indy shops don't have the right equipment to do this properly, so you're stuck with dealer service. I guess MB thinks they can get away with it... something along the lines of, "Hey, if you can afford a new MB, what's another $600 every couple of years or so? You'll get free coffee out of this, so it's all good."
Interestingly enough, the maintenance manual of our 2008 C300 only shows a single ATF change required at 39K miles and nothing after that, which is a bit odd. In 2009 they started with this "every 40K miles" schedule as The Critic pointed out.
My local MB dealer charges $418:
http://www.montereymercedes.com/specials/service.htm
Still, $600 is cheaper than a new transmission if an independent screws it up.