I have a 2002 SLK 32 with 40K miles on it. I was told that I should have the tranny and diff. fluids changed for preventive maintenance reasons by a few members in the group. When I talked to dealer he said that the fluids are good for 100K miles and are sealed. Is this correct or should I go somewhere else.
Change your trans fluid between 50k-60k miles. Don't listen to MB on the fluid durations. A number of people have to their detriment. They have been forced to replace the trans.
I have a 2002 SLK 32 with 40K miles on it. I was told that I should have the tranny and diff. fluids changed for preventive maintenance reasons by a few members in the group. When I talked to dealer he said that the fluids are good for 100K miles and are sealed. Is this correct or should I go somewhere else.
The factory states the fluids are good for 100K miles. Personally, I would replace the auto trans fluid at 50K miles, using the recommended MB synthetic fluid. Why? Because I have another car with an automatic which the manufacturer recommended replacing the oil at 50K miles; at about 35K miles, the lockup clutch in the torque converter began slipping causing a shuddering vibration in the drive train; very annoying and no doubt causing loads on the rest of the drive train. Their "fix" said the problem was caused by excessive heat causing the oil to partially breakdown; they wanted the entire fluid changed, including removing the pan and filter, and adding a tranny cooler at owner expense.
I simply changed the tranny oil and it took nearly six months for the shuddering to gradually subside, presumably as the clutch facing was worn clean of whatever deposits the oil had made on it. I plan on changing the oil again at 50K and each 25K interval after that, ignoring the longer intervals specified in the owner manual.
I would be less concerned about the differential, because there are no clutches in it to wear and contaminate the oil, and much less heating than in the tranny, and the oil used is a good synthetic. I would leave it alone until 100K, or until a leaking seal, not an unusual occurrance, results in changing the fluid anyway to replace the seal. Most car diffs go 100K miles easily without problems using cheaper non-synthetic hypoid gear oil.
A local shop near me said that my '01 ~320~ takes 20 quarts of fluid, @ $20 per quart of synthetic Benz trans fluid. Said that the filter change was extra. That said, we were up $500 for a fluid change- The nearest dealer said it was $199.95, including filter and gaskets. As far as leaving the diff oil in until 100k- I changed mine out at 52k, and it looked horrible. Since it only takes a half hour to change, it's senseless not to do it.
....i don't know about this one's where about cuz it went to carmax lol
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