Mercedes-Benz vehicles have more stringent fluid specifications, more complex service procedures, and more interdependent systems than most vehicles. A brake fluid service on a Mercedes isn't just about the boiling point — it affects the ABS system calibration. A transmission fluid service isn't just a drain-and-fill — it requires an adaptation reset to relearn clutch pressures with fresh fluid. An oil change isn't just an oil change — using the wrong spec accelerates the specific wear patterns these engines are susceptible to.
These guides exist to explain the reasoning behind the specifications, not just list the numbers. An owner who understands why MB 229.51 matters on a turbocharged engine is an owner who pushes back when a shop substitutes a generic synthetic. An owner who understands what a transmission adaptation reset does is an owner who asks for it when the fluid is changed.