Introduction
The introduction of the innovative 9G Tronic automatic transmission, which replaced the 7G Tronic system, featured lots of vital improvements. The later model is not only more fuel-efficient, but it also has smoothly shifted gears. But this gear consists of intricate parts that make it incredibly complex. You don’t want the gear breaking down because it can be pretty expensive to repair. Fortunately, there are several maintenance tips to ensure your gearbox does not break down and leads to expensive repairs. In this article, we share with you proven tips to keep your gearbox in good order and give you peak performance.
When Should You Service your Mercedes-Benz 9G Gearbox?
Not only is it important to take your Mercedes-Benz for an oil change, but you also need to ensure that it is done in strict compliance with the official maintenance schedule. As the manufacturer of the 7G and the 9G automatic transmission system, Mercedes Benz determines the most opportune moment to take your vehicle for servicing. This ensures not only extends the gearbox’s useful life but also avoids needless breakdowns.
Mercedes has several automatic gearbox types, for example, torque converter or dual-clutch automatic transmission. The transmissions are often denoted by names like 7G-DCT, 7G-Tronic, and 9G-Tronic, to mention but a few. The service interval will be based on the specific gearbox type that your Mercedes has.
Change gearbox oil
Mercedes includes automatic gearbox oil change in both your A and B maintenance plans. Changing the oil is done regularly but only at approved Mercedes Benz dealerships. Considered preventive maintenance, changing the oil does not take long and ensures the reliability of your gearbox is prolonged.
The automatic transmissions used in Mercedes –Benz use hydraulic oil known as ATF. The oil coats the gears within the transmission, which allows the gear changes to be done via the solenoid valves. Gearbox fluid, just like any other automobile oil, degrades and loses its lubricating properties. One symptom of this is a realization that gear changes are performed less efficiently. You will notice roughness and jerks that are quite uncharacteristic of a car of Mercedes Benz quality. Additionally, gearbox oil contains cooling properties that aid in controlling the temperature.
Fortunately, avoiding these symptoms is incredibly easy. Experts advise regularly changing the oil to ensure the lubricant condition does not become poor. Apart from replacing the old oil with the new one in accordance with the specifications of the manufacturer, it is also advisable to change the filter of the gearbox. This completely gets rid of any debris that may have remained in the transmission.
How much does it cost to change the automatic gearbox oil of your Mercedes Benz?
Many factors go into determining the cost for changing the gearbox oil of a Mercedes Benz automatic transmission. Key among these is the model and type of the transmission. These determine the hours needed to change the oil and the quantity of the fluid that will be used. In general, however, it costs between €200 and €400 to change the oil of an automatic transmission gearbox. Granted, this may vary from one dealer or region to the next. However, if it is too high or too low, you will need to move on.
Most repair shops will readily give you a no-obligation quote. Look for a dealership that offers the best prices and give reliable service.
Important Tips to Keep Your Automatic Transmission in Great Shape
The above are some of the regular maintenance tips to ensure your vehicle’s automatic transmission works like clockwork. In this section, we discuss the best practices for caring for your automatic transmission. Sticking to the tips below will help prolong the life of your transmission and improves its performance. Read on to learn about great tips for looking after your transmission.
Don’t make transmission shifts when the vehicle is in motion- it is advisable to wait until coming to a complete halt before you shift from D to R, and vice-versa. This is vital in protecting the gearbox gears from being damaged.
Press the brake- another habit you want to develop when behind the wheels is to always keep brake pedals depressed when you stop in a traffic jam or at traffic lights. Avoid accelerating or, in the case of a gearbox that is dual-clutch, shifting the selector lever.
Best to use N for Prolonged Standstills-If you find yourself caught in a jam that makes you motionless for a couple of minutes, you will be best off using N on the gear lever. This tip is applicable to gearboxes that have torque converters and not dual-clutch ones. It stops the converter from creeping constantly, reduces fuel consumption as well as cools the transmission oil.
Stick to the maintenance schedule- the obvious advantage of respecting the maintenance schedule is that it takes care of the transmission. Another thing is that it prevents potential breakdowns that come from the natural wear and tear of the internal components of the transmission system. Above all, make sure you always use premium quality lubricants and genuine Mercedes spare parts.
Conclusion
Mercedes automatic transmission systems, especially the 9G Tronic and 7G Tronic, are expensive pieces that feature precision engineering. They are made of intricate parts that make them incredibly expensive to assemble. That is the reason you don’t want your automatic transmission to become faulty. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep your transmission system performing at its peak.
It is important to stick to the maintenance schedule as directed by the manufacturer of the automatic transmission. Also, change your gearbox oil and filter regularly to extend the life of your transmission system. Most importantly, you want to ensure that only premium-grade lubricants and genuine parts are used when servicing your car. The benefits of proper maintenance of your gearbox are many. It enables early detection of problems which makes fixing them cheaper. Also, regular, scheduled maintenance will extend the life of your gearbox for many years.