I should stop posting while I am working because I am not paying attention to my posts. The previous discussion was 9.5 quarts to the engine oil change but the trans takes around 8. I will check the CD.

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Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si

Trans fluid? The new ones don't need fluid changes! I have seen quite a few original ones running around with close to 200k on them and the original fluid, maybe MB pulled it off...

Certainly for the older cars Mobil 1 ATF at whatever mileage the manual says is just fine.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

FYI,
The maintenance trans fluid service has returned on 2006 vehicles. On the cars it is a one time change around the 40000 mile service to remove debris. (sidebar, my sprinters 722.6 is every 60000) The converter drain plug has been put back into production. If no drain plug is available we loosen a cooler line and run the car to pump oil out of the trans. Two quarts in and two quarts almost in a drain pan, then repeat several times.
Oil spec 3353 synthetic, the oil found in the new 722.9 is backwards compatable. So lets go and change our trans fluid.

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Paul

For those transmissions that have a torque converter drain, a good method for determining how much to refill is to measure how much was drained from the unit and refill with the same amount. It shouldn't be too hard to capture all the drained fluid.


For those interested, here's the fluid change method I use on all my cars that don't have a torque converter drain:

1. Pull the transmission dipstick (located near the firewall in most cars). Fresh fluid is translucent and cherry red. Some darkening is normal, but if it is reddish brown or mustard color and smells like burnt varnish, it is worn out.

2. Make sure the fluid is warm.

3. For pans that don't have drain plugs, remove all pan bolts except for the corners. Remove the bolt from the lowest corner, then loosen the other corner bolts a turn or two. Carefully pry the pan to break the gasket seal at the lowest corner. Drain mostly from this corner. With good technique you can avoid or at least minimize the red bath.

4. Remove pan. Inspect the pan before cleaning. A small amount of fine grey clutch dust is normal. However, if you find metal shavings, there has been transmission damage. Remove all old gasket material. Clean the pan and magnet with solvent and wipe dry so there is no harmful residue. Shop air can be used to clean the magnet. Hammer back any pan damage from previous overtightening.

5. (Optional) Drill hole in pan at low point and install a drain kit available from most auto supply houses. Make sure the kit protruding inside the pan doesn't interfere with anything on the transmission.

6. Replace filter. If it’s a metal screen filter, it can probably be cleaned and reused.

7. Position gasket on pan. Some gaskets have four holes slightly smaller than the rest to allow four bolts through the pan and through these smaller holes to hold the four bolts and gasket in place.

8. Hand tighten pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern. After that, use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to proper ft-lbs as per manufacturer.

9. Refill the transmission using only the amount shown as “refill capacity” in the owners manual (or an equal amount that was drained), using the type of fluid specified for the vehicle.

10. You now have replaced the trans fluid and filter according to manufacturer’s requirements. Fluid is changed in the pan only.

You can stop here and go to Step 17 if you just wanted a regular drop-the-pan fluid change. For a complete exchange of the fluid (including transmission body and torquer converter) continue with the next steps.

11. Obtain the total system capacity of the vehicle from the manufacturer. Have this amount - plus a bit more - of fluid readily available.

12. Disconnect the oil cooler line from the oil cooler. Tickle the ignition to find the flow direction. Direct the stream of fluid toward a receptacle. It is better to use a clear length of hose with a shoplight laying next to it so you can see when all the old fluid has left the system.

13. Start the engine, let it idle to pump out old trans fluid until you start seeing air bubbles.

14. Stop the engine. Refill transmission through fill tube with fresh fluid - same amount as pumped out (usually about 2-3 quarts).

15. When either the fluid color brightens or the total capacity has been replaced, shut the engine off and re-attach the oil cooler line. All trans fluid has now been changed.

16. Button everything back up. Clean up the mess.

17. Recheck the fluid level. With the car on level ground, set the parking brake and the transmission in “Park” or “Neutral.” Let the engine idle for a few minutes. Shift the transmission through all detents, pausing momentarily at each position, before returning the lever to “Park” or “Neutral.” Check the fluid level again and check for leaks. Refill fluid so it is slightly undercharged. This way it can be properly checked and topped off after a long drive.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Just got the oil changed in my 1994 s500. 8.5 quarts of syn. Just got the car Saturday but loving it so far. Tomorrow will get the transmission fluid changed out. Had a 1972 280SEL and put 245,000 on it and never had transmission problems. Rusted panels caused me to sell it.

I had the dealer do a trans flush with new synth fluid on my 'new' 99 210 at 79,000 miles. They charged $129. I though that was ok, since I haven't the time these days, or obviously the equipment to do it either. I have noticed an improvement in shifting since the change, it is more solid. Or, it may be self adjusting to my driving habits.

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DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

That's a very good price. A quick calculation shows 8 liters, $11.50/liter = $92 just for the fluid. I doubt they changed the filter or cleaned the pan, which should be done at the first change.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K