ATF & Brake Fluid (W204)

[Barney]

Can bros confirm if the above is due at 30,000 km? My mechanic told me I need to change the gasket if I were to do the ATF flush. Thanks for the inputs.

[bbwannabe]

Can change brake fluid after you change the brake disc or pads. So cheap anyway ($18?)

ATF 80-100k?

Feel free to second 2nd opinion.

[mercbumpkin]

I was told ATF change at 80k, but thinking to do it earlier.Changing gasket is recommended. Brake fluid is also good to change if you feel the brake feel has changed over time. Moisture tend to build up in brake fluid. I think we should be using dot 4 brake fluid

[Barney]

Thanks for the reply bros, was thinking of changing ATF as I feel that the gear shifts are not very smooth. In fact, I feel that it drags unecessarily. Current mileage is 32K+.

So many things to change at one go, Rear rotors, pads, in cabin filter, air filter......

[g8crasher]

Thanks for the reply bros, was thinking of changing ATF as I feel that the gear shifts are not very smooth. In fact, I feel that it drags unecessarily. Current mileage is 32K+.

So many things to change at one go, Rear rotors, pads, in cabin filter, air filter......

ATF drain and refill recommendation

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.MB says it's lifetime fluid - lifetime of gearbox or lifetime of car ? (BMW, and VW say the same. VW USA incidentally revised the service interval on some models equipped with specific gearboxes after some issues)

.External workshops normally quote btwn 60,000 - 80,000kms as highlighted by bbwannabe

.Fastidious US MB owners will drain and refill at 30,000 miles (approx 48,000kms)

You've obviously picked up on something not quite right with your gearbox performance so I'd agree with you on draining and refilling the ATF right about now. To do a full drain, the torque converter contains some amount of ATF which needs to be drained as well.

How has your driving style been for the last week or so ? Adaptation could have something to do with the gearbox behavior too.

[g8crasher]

You will need to change the gasket and AT gbox filter only IF you drop the sump otherwise it's just drain and refill.

[bbwannabe]

was thinking of changing ATF as I feel that the gear shifts are not very smooth. In fact, I feel that it drags unecessarily. Current mileage is 32K+.

Instead, you might want to reset the ECU + Gearbox. Sometimes that just works.

Can google how to reset the ECU. Something like inserting key into the keyhole, press and hold the accelerator etc.

[Barney]

ATF drain and refill recommendation

----------------------------------------------

.MB says it's lifetime fluid - lifetime of gearbox or lifetime of car ? (BMW, and VW say the same. VW USA incidentally revised the service interval on some models equipped with specific gearboxes after some issues)

.External workshops normally quote btwn 60,000 - 80,000kms as highlighted by bbwannabe

.Fastidious US MB owners will drain and refill at 30,000 miles (approx 48,000kms)

You've obviously picked up on something not quite right with your gearbox performance so I'd agree with you on draining and refilling the ATF right about now. To do a full drain, the torque converter contains some amount of ATF which needs to be drained as well.

How has your driving style been for the last week or so ? Adaptation could have something to do with the gearbox behavior too.

Hey bro, thanks for ur reply. Driving style has been the same. The only difference was when I drove up to KL about 2 weeks ago. Before this trip, I can feel that gears shifts are delayed and drags unecessarily. To the extent that C mode drag gears more than S mode for gears 1-3, which is very weird to me.

[Barney]

Instead, you might want to reset the ECU + Gearbox. Sometimes that just works.

Can google how to reset the ECU. Something like inserting key into the keyhole, press and hold the accelerator etc.

Thanks, will google it!