A video of how I performed the automatic transmission fluid change and oil cooler flush. Improvisation was the name of the game. You do need a compressor but any serious DIY'er must have compressor in his/her garage ... right? There appears to be a lot of mystique and misinformation about this subject of doing your own transmission service. There's a feeling these transmissions are such a complex mechanical/electronic component that us mere mortals should not approach closer than a 3 metre radius from this marvel made from "unobtanium". It's a load of nonsense. Doing the service is very easy and I would say any DIY'er with basic skills prepared to take his/her time and logically work through the process will do a better more thorough job. All the stories about special tools and the oil temperature only being read by the STAR system are urban myths in my book. Sure the transmission is sophisticated but the service is very straight forward. In Australia the dealers want around $800 to $1000 to do the service. All they do is drain the oil, change the filter and if you're lucky drain the TC. They won't flush the old oil from the oil cooler that's for sure. There's also this notion they have specially trained Bavarian Technicians raised in the German Alps and bottle fed Mercedes ATF from 6 months of age. Most times the work will be done by an 18 year old apprentice. No disrespect to apprentices because they have to learn. The first time I had my car serviced at the MB dealer I spoke to the mechanic who did my C320CDI. I'm thinking this guy probably speaks 7 languages and has a PHD because he works at the Mercedes Dealership! He told me he'd only just left the Ford dealer down the road! He did his training with Ford and wasn't put through any sort of Mercedes "Finishing School". I do all the servicing myself now as I'm sick of being fed bullsh*t! The Mercedes C Class W204 is a well engineered car but they still have problems like any other vehicle. I bought mine as a demo and it now only has 48,000km. While doing this transmission service I noticed the sump oil pan is leaking. I'm probably going to have to drop the oil, take it off, clean the surfaces and apply a new sealant. I wasn't expecting these sorts of problems with the German marque. Once you get all the plastic covers off underneath and expose the components it's no different to a Ford or any other rear wheel drive car. They've got a lot of electronics ... so what. So do Toyota's and Hyundai's and their electronics are better and more reliable. Well I guess the leaking engine oil pan will be another video topic!

• published: 22 Aug 2013
• views: 113