![]() ![]() The owner of a Mercedes has to understand that while he or she may have an amazing car it is still something that has been manufactured. Taking a look at the manufacturer’s guide or the owner’s manual can give a better idea of the timing of any differential fluid change. Instead of every 30,000 miles, that required fluid change may occur every 60,000 miles. The best way to think about lifetime fluid is that more miles are to be added before a fluid change is made. The worst-case scenario would the gears breaking down and that will result in some fairly expensive repair work. Neglecting to attend to it can result in a very bumpy ride, which should not happen with the Mercedes. The differential can never be completely ignored. ![]() If the service engine light comes on in the car, it is possible the differential is having some difficulty as far as fluid is concerned. Loud noises that occur whenever switching lanes or turning a corner may be a warning that the differential starting to fail. The differential definitely needs to be serviced if warning signals start emerging from the car itself. It all means that lifetime fluid may have to be changed at one point or another. ![]() However, a steady diet of stop and go traffic or rough driving is going to age the car. The occasional trip to the store type of use will extend the life of the vehicle, and also cause less stress on the differential. The longevity of the car is also influenced by how it is driven. Anyone who purchases a used Mercedes buys a car that has already spent several years or more of its “life”. The assumption is made that this means differential fluid never has to be changed for as long as the person owns the car. Consequently, many mechanics recommend that differential fluid be changed every 30,000 miles.Ĭonfusion can surface when a car owner is told that the Mercedes has lifetime differential fluid in it. The great amount of heat generated by normal driving conditions can ultimately cause the lubrication elements of differential fluid to deteriorate. Unlike a transmission, the differential does not have a filter to keep the fluid clean and dirty differential fluid will eventually cause some internal damage. With that type of activity it is possible that tiny metal shavings can come off the gears and flow through the system as part of the differential fluid. The gears of the differential will turn at the rate of 5000 times a minute or more and are straining against the car’s full weight all the time. Suggest you double check if replacing the differential fluid is really necessary to maintain your warranty at 30K.The differential in a Mercedes will transfer power from the engine to the wheels and at the same time allow the wheels rotate at different speeds. I’d expect you’d get some $$ discount at an inde shop vs a dealership.īTW for what I can see here the recommended interval for normal type service for differential fluid is indeed 30K, but that looks like it means only an inspection of the fluid, not replacement. If warranty issues are of no concern, I’d ask fellow Subaru owners in my area who they use for inde shop work, somebody who specializes in Subarus preferably, and have it done there. Were I in your situation, and the new car warranty is still in effect, and I didn’t want to do the job myself I’d probably let the dealer do it for the fee they charge. And they may require a special friction modifier. Usually they require a special hypoid gear oil for that reason. The gear shapes in differentials are complex and require the proper fluid. And be sure to use the exact fluid Subaru recommends. If the owner’s manual says 30 K, then that’s when to change it. How many miles between fluid changes is car design specific. Suggest to trust Subaru tho, as they are the ones that designed the vehicle. 30K miles seems on the conservative side for differential. If so, for both differentials and the transfer case, that price sounds more reasonable. Do you have a front differential too? This is a 4wd in other words? There may be a transfer case fluid change involved too then. $500 just for changing just the rear differential fluid seems a little pricey. ![]()
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