Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: JPMOSE on March 13, 2015, 15:11:01

Title: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: JPMOSE on March 13, 2015, 15:11:01

Hello,

I hope everyone has been well!!  I've had little activity on this site over the past 6 years due to a lot of business travel, etc.  My 250SL does get a highway drive every two weeks but only enough to fully warm up everything.  After 97 trips to Europe, my domestic life has returned!!  Since purchasing my car in Jan 2006, I have only put 2,700 miles on it.  I have changed the oil annually and kept up with brake fluid and antifreeze changes (and chassis/distributor lube yearly).   However, I have not changed my transmission fluid since 2006!  I did a full drain (torque converter) and filter change, using Red Line D4.  With only 2,700 miles on it, I'm wondering if it is necessary?   I understand why oil changes are, due to exposure to fuel, exhaust, etc.

Any advice/comments are surely welcome!  Thanks in advance!  

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: JPMOSE on March 27, 2015, 16:13:05

Bumping this up in hopes someone can answer.   ;D

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: stickandrudderman on March 27, 2015, 17:30:10

There's an argument that says oil deteriorates with age regardless of usage. I'm not a chemist so don't know if that's true or not but personally I wouldn't bother.

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: ctaylor738 on March 27, 2015, 18:59:43

Second what Stick said.  Seems to me that ATF isn't exposed to unburned fuel, combustion gasses, and extreme temperatures like engine oil.

I looked in the 113 owner's manual, and other books on 107s and 123s, and they all said "30,000 miles" with no time interval.

Cheers,

CT

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: alchemist on March 28, 2015, 02:58:51

I am a chemist, I second Chuck. It should be replaced every 30,000 mile along with the filter.

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: JPMOSE on March 28, 2015, 12:38:09

Thanks for the responses!  The other factor is light usage.  Since it's a pleasure car, I don't drive in bumper to bumper traffic; carry loads; drive in excessively high temperatures; or any other conditions that would warrant more frequent fluid changes.

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: alchemist on March 29, 2015, 03:08:19

The 30,000 miles fluid change should cover all conditions, long time storage and harsh city driving. As a matter of fact that the MB do not agree with this recommendation, particularly with newer Mercedes. They actually capped transmission filling tube and eliminated the dip stick to prevent fluid change. However, MB owners soon discovered that MB is wrong. I hope this helps.

Title: Re: Transmission Fluid Change on low usage Pagoda
Post by: Benz Dr. on March 29, 2015, 05:51:10

I have a 1999 ML430 with no dip stick on the trans. Fortunately, the owners manual indicated a fill capacity of 9.5 liters ( which is a fairly common amount on MB cars ) so it definitely got changed.  ;D