Transmission and differential oil changes - interval?

[CO-ml320]

Trying to establish exactly what the recommended transmission and differential oil change interval is for a 1999 ML320. Truck currently has 53000 miles on the clock.

Heard that MB states it is "lifetime", only need to top up.

Have also seen recommendations on this forum that at 60000 miles change oil in tranny and diffs.

What is the standard practice to keep your truck in top running condition?

Suspect that it cannot hurt to change oil in tranny and diffs at 60k miles, will be just good maintenance practice, and a lot cheaper that major repairs.

Any comments or personal experiences?

CO-ML320

[treeman5]

My SA told me that they are supposed to be lifetime and he has seen many high mileage ML's with no fluid change and no problems...but he's also seen his share of failures. He said personally, he would not go any more than 100,000 miles. I had my diffs and transfer case done at 50,000 and plan to do the tranny at 60,000 (couldn't afford it all in one shot). He agreed that changing it now rather than at 100K is good preventative maintenance and that I should have no problems if I keep that kind of maintenance going.

[mickey.1430]

The transfer case and two diffs use regular fluids so the cost is nominal to change. The tranny uses synthetic fluid and is costly. The tranny filter should be changed at the same time.

The latest suggestion made to me by a senior tech is that the tranny fluid should be changed, as a precaution, at about 60k miles. The rest can be done then or at the next service.

[texasdanml430]

yes, the transfer case and diffs are easy with modest DIY tools/skills, and the fluids are cheap, so I do mine every year, since i do some towing. FWIW.

[aeltohamy]

I just spoke to the head mechanic in the German Car Shop in Edison NJ about changing the Transmission, differential, and transfer case oil. He recommended that I change the oil at 100,000 miles, and will cost me about $375.

This including engine oil change.