Current MB recommended ATF fluid changes

[BenzBoy]

Recommended ATF changes - a shifting scene.

1. Once upon a time the auto-trans was "sealed for life". No need to change your ATF Sir - it will last forever.
2. A couple of years ago: recommended changes every 10 years or 100,000kms.
3. Then shortly afterwards: recommended changes every 6 years or 60,000kms.
4. Now: recommended changes every 5 years or 50,000kms.

Next????

 

[sean sherry]

Mercedes learned a hard lesson with their E Class Taxies in Gernmany, when they bowed to pressure from operaters, to increase the Trans oil change distances..... a flood of warranty claims. Today's highly stressed smaller and smaller Turbo Engines just don't last. Multi speed autos makeing up their short falls pay the price. Also an excellent article on U Tube pointing out the price of Direct Injection Engines .Carbon build up clogging up the inlet....$$$$s in extra maintence as always. Worth a look.

 

[sean sherry]

Sealed for life ?? Car Manufacturers figure that after the first owner has sold.....thats the life of the vehicle... out of the warranty period. We then sell parts. I recall trying to buy some parts for an 11 year old Holden ..... Can't help...after 10 years the vehicle is obsolete...Mercedes still support their older Cars.
The currant crop ? I doubt it....

 

[Patrick_R]

Recommended ATF changes - a shifting scene.

1. Once upon a time the auto-trans was "sealed for life". No need to change your ATF Sir - it will last forever.
2. A couple of years ago: recommended changes every 10 years or 100,000kms.
3. Then shortly afterwards: recommended changes every 6 years or 60,000kms.
4. Now: recommended changes every 5 years or 50,000kms.

Next????

Manual transmission?

 

[sean sherry]

Manual in todays traffic Patrick ? Growing up with no syncro G/Boxes...I won't be winding the clock
back A good crash box of yester year's traffic , e.g, my 1929 Desoto Doctors Coupe in Melbourne mid Fifties. Even had Hydraulic Brakes ....but wooden wheels.....

 

[Patrick_R]

Manual in todays traffic Patrick ? Growing up with no syncro G/Boxes...I won't be winding the clock
back A good crash box of yester year's traffic , e.g, my 1929 Desoto Doctors Coupe in Melbourne mid Fifties. Even had Hydraulic Brakes ....but wooden wheels.....

You just described my 27 Dodge Brothers perfectly.
For me, I don’t mind, my wife’s mini is also manual, plus I spent more years than I care to remember driving 18 speed crash boxes

 

[sean sherry]

18 speeds.... now that's a lot of gears .....Is that with a two speed Diff ?
Two speed Diffs were all the go when I was with Ford F500/600 semis in the fifties. They did a good job job., excppt that with a load they boiled up hills and got cold going down. Hard on head gaskets...

 

[Patrick_R]

18 speeds.... now that's a lot of gears .....Is that with a two speed Diff ?
Two speed Diffs were all the go when I was with Ford F500/600 semis in the fifties. They did a good job job., excppt that with a load they boiled up hills and got cold going down. Hard on head gaskets...

No mate, 2 speed diffs went out a long time ago, however I thought they were a very good thing, and in some smaller trucks today, should make a comeback.
These transmissions were Eaton Rlad Rangers. Twin countershaft with an auxiliary at the back.
This is what they looked like.


You will notice above, there is a range lever (the black one just below the gear knob assembly) and a grey splitter button (almost at the top of the gear knob assembly)
This is where you spit each gear (two ratios without moving the gear lever)
The black one allows you to go to the second stage of the box, and go through the whole process again.

This is a great video that explains a lot.

https://www.eaton.com/nz/en-gb/catalog/transmissions/rt-18-transmission.html

Then we automated it, by adding electronic shift servos on top of the box, called X - Y shifter. (Neutral & fore-aft gear sweeps)
It took away the gear lever, but still maintained a clutch, for starting & stopping only.

I used to teach drivers how to drive them for 6 months of the year, then for 6 months I’d teach at the TAFE’s to pull them down & service them.

 

[sean sherry]

And I thought that Auto Trans were complicated !!

 

[Patrick_R]

I still think these are simpler than an automatic Sean, but I guess it‘s what people get used to.