While I'm sure oil threads are the main domain for fluid wars, I was interested to find how spirited discussions can get about what fluid to put in the 722.6 transmission. I suppose I'm leaning in the direction of using Redline D4 (according to Redline, it meets the MB 236.10 spec but it's not on the MB approved list)....looks to be as good a synthetic for this application as any. I suppose I could also be persuaded to use Fuchs 3353 instead. But I really can't see the point of spending $20 a quart for the MB branded stuff, especially since I'm sure all I could get is stuff that meets the 236.14 spec (yes, I know it's backwards compatible but it is thinner).

Everything is complicated, of course, by the fact that the MB approved list is only in part motivated by quality considerations....there are surely business/profit considerations that could motivate them to omit a perfectly good fluid. On the other hand, any manufacturer can SAY that its fluid is 236.10 compatible....but how can the consumer really know?

Opinions (preferably informed) anyone?

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I use Mobil one,wish they made a Trick Shift that was compatible.I use syntheic cause 722.605 trans have problem with a bearing,and I part time race.Being syntheic I can strech my fluid change to every 80,000 miles.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I have Red Line D4 in my 722.625 and it works fine. Zero issues. Note that my car is a 1997 so I was able to drain the converter too. Later models without the converter drain will end up with a mix, but as mentioned earlier, this should not be an issue.

FWIW, the D4 is the higher-viscosity (7.5) Dex-III type fluid, 236.10:
Red Line Synthetic Oil - Automatic Transmission Fluids - D4 ATF

D6 is the thinner (6.4) Dex-VI fluid (236.12, 236.14):
Red Line Synthetic Oil - Automatic Transmission Fluids - D6 ATF

Personally, I prefer the thicker D4 for my 722.6 tranny. I'm not a fan of thinner fluids, which in general were developed for fuel economy reasons. Note the D4 has a significantly higher VI than the D6, and the D4 VI is higher than most other similar fluids. I'm using the D4 (or High Temp) in all of my 722.3 and 722.6 transmissions.


Side note: Valvoline MaxLife is one of the cheapest 722.6/NAG1 compatible fluids available, that I know of. This is a thin Dex-VI fluid though, probably closer to 236.12 spec, although they do not specify anything other than "NAG1" on their site:
Valvoline.com > Products > Automatic Transmission Products > Automatic Transmission Fluid > MaxLife® DEX/MERC ATF

Mobil-1 ATF should also work fine in the 722.6 despite the fact that Mobil does not specifically mention Mercedes or NAG1 in their application list. I believe there are other threads confirming long-term usage of M-1 ATF in the 722.6 tranny. Mobil-1 is also a Dex-III fluid (7.4 viscosity) although the VI is a bit lower than Red Line D4.
ATF | Mobil 1™ Synthetic ATF
Mobil 1™ Synthetic ATF


YMMV, etc...

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

does it firm up your shifts

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Which fluid...?

Valvoline have two ATF that are suitable for this transmission, One is maxlife and one is called import multivehicle full synthetic (blue jug)

The blue jug one has a hot viscosity of 7.5 cst as the original MB fluid had while the red jug max life is a tad lower (6.5 cst). Both are priced the same at retail locations.

To drain the later style transmission you once fill up the sump and then undo a cooler line and drain it into a jug 2 or 3 qt a time with engine running - then fill er up the same from the dipstick tube. (I do gm4T65E filter service like that too without spilling a drop)

Once done - check the level and install the cap lock.

The original 722.6 transmission fluid is very close to dex3 but had some traction additives in it along with being full synthetic, very close to toyota TIV (its not synthetic though). As time has gone ahead a lot of other transmission manufacturers have copied/mimicked the technology of the 722.6 box and have similar ATF

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I am using PetroCan Multi Vehicle Syn, which meets the MB specs, but it is only available in Canada. I am really happy with the shifts, smooth as silk.
Moving forward I would use Valvoline MaxLife, as it also meets MB specs and is much cheaper. See attached image, nicely provided on another thread.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'98 E300 DT
'87 190D 2.5 turbo RIP
'92 S500 Sold
'03 3.2TL-S A-Spec

I thought there was another Valvoline option but I couldn't remember the details. Thanks for the info! You are correct, their Import Multi-Vehicle (IMV) is recommend for NAG1.

Valvoline.com > Products > Automatic Transmission Products > Automatic Transmission Fluid > Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid

I find it interesting that the MaxLife is listed as "synthetic", while the IMV is "full synthetic". I would expect the MaxLife to be significantly cheaper since it sounds like a semi-syn, or a blend? If they are the same price... I'd use the blue jug "full" synthetic IMV, plus the IMV has higher viscosity and VI.

Thanks for the info!

If price is the primary concern, I'd use one of the Valvoline fluids, as they are likely to be significantly cheaper than most other .10/.12 fluids. Based on the new info above, I'd lean towards the Import Multi-Vehicle if the price is about the same as MaxLife.

If price is not a concern, or at least not a major issue, I'd still use the Red Line D4. My vague recollection is that the Valvoline fluids are $4-$5 per quart, Red Line is $11-$12, most of the OEM (Shell/Fuchs/etc) are $12-$15, and the OE dealer stuff is nearly $20/qt.

I have found that the MAG-1 full synthetic ATF is also suitable, they dont actually say mercedes benz NAG1 or anything but they do claim that their ATF is SFU (safe for use) in place of shell 3403 M115 ATF which was the factory fill of the 722.6 transmissions.

Its VI and viscosity are suitable too.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

the full synth IMV gallon is 23 dollars plus tax here in my neck of the woods (desert more like)

same for the maxlife ATF unless you find it at walmart (I have not found it yet) - but their website used to advertise it @ 16/gallon

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

GSXR-
How do you decide between Redline D4 vs High Temp for a mercedes transmission? The High Temp is pretty thick at operating temperature. Thanks.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

Also-
Where does one buy Valvoline IMV? I cannot find (even online) at Napa, Autozone, Oreilly Auto, Walmart, etc.

Advance Auto has it on their website, but I don't have one of those anywhere near me. Thanks.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

this was attached to an email I sent to mag1 - its a bit bonkers honestly, because they say NO in the jeep apps (most probably due to atf+4 formulation laws) but say its suitable for the shell..

Uploaded with ImageShack.com

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The local oriellys near my house has it nearly all the time. try to order it on their website and pick it up.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)