C-class 722.6 transmission
 

My '99 C280 has a gated shifter and you can manually navigate the gears by working the shifter through the gates. I just got my '00 C280 and it has a different shifter: there is only one Drive position and you navigate the gears by pushing the shifter right (+) to upshift and left (-) to downshift. Does anyone know if this is a different transmission? I have seen this type of shifter setup on E-class cars. One of the reasons I ask is that the 722.6 transmission on the earlier C class cars has a history of problems, at least in the earlier model years. I have heard of these trannys completely failing, requiring replacement, after only 70 some thousand miles.

It is still the 722.6 transmission. There are a lot of updates that have ben done to the internals. Its a pretty good trans.
Brian

Thanks Brian, much obliged for the accurate info. How often do you do a tranny service for this transmission. I understand it has the "lifetime" synthetic Fluid and Mercedes has it on a 100k mile service schedule. I am sorry, but I am an old "change the fluids regularly" kind of guy and I am not comfortable with 100 k miles for the transmission service.

We recomend every 60k for fluid and filter changes using the Benz fluid. The .6 has a paper/felt type filter that is effective at catching the garbage but, will restrict a bit over time. (just like any decent filter) If you drop the pan dont flip out about carbon type debris in it, thats normal.



Joe