Manual Trans Fluid - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TMAllison · #1 02-28-2009, 12:43 PM

Helping a friend.

92 190E Manual - Is dex III the correct fluid?

mjquillici · #2 03-01-2009, 09:17 PM

I use Red Line MTL (manual transmission lubricant) in my 240D and it smoothed out my shifting significantly. I'm planning on putting it in my Accord the next time I change my tranny fluid. I would highly recommend it.

TMAllison · #3 03-01-2009, 10:24 PM

Not concerned about the flavor; moreso the recipe.

IS dex 3 the right recipe?

vox_incognita · #4 03-02-2009, 05:49 AM

In short-no.
Factory recommends the obsolete ATF Type A Suffix A (MB 236.2) for manual trannies up to mid 1990-ies.
http://bevo.daimler.com/downloadf.php?label=en/BB00.40-P-0231-01A.pdf&file=d/d/en/BB00.40-P-0231-01A.pdf&PHPSESSID=5cd9d5414eb17568487fc28d63b7420f
..and Dexron IID(MB 236.6) as "possible to use".
http://bevo.daimler.com/bevolistenmain.php?session_id=&navigation_path=bevolisten&language_id=1

I guess it`s got something to do with the decreasing levels of Zn-Ph additives in the ATF`s newer specs(which may be ok for an automatic,but not so good for a manual transmission).
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=729051#Post729051

WD8CDH · #5 03-02-2009, 04:03 PM

In the "old days" the usual manual tranny fluid of choice was a GL-4 gear lube for most transmissions. When GL-5 gear oil came out and GL-4 became hard to find, some manufacturers started reccomending motor oil or ATF instead of GL-4 oil. GL-5 oil had to much EP/low friction addatives for proper syncro operation but motor oil and ATF still had low enough EP addatives to let the syncros operate.

I would look for the oldest owners manual of a vehicle with the same series of tranny and see if it reccomended GL-4 oil. If so, I have had the best luck with Redline MTL or MT-90 oils, both of which are GL-4. So far, every tranny that I have used Redline in shifted better.

Palangi · #6 03-02-2009, 09:24 PM

Around here you can still find ATF type A at Pilot Truck Stops and at many convenience stores.

compu_85 · #7 03-02-2009, 09:52 PM

You can get GL4 fluids at a VW dealer easily, that's what all their transmissions use. Go to the parts counter and ask for G 070 726 A2. They just developed it, and I can tell you it works quite well in the cold. If you can find redline products you probably want to use 50/50 Redline MTL and MT90.

-Jason

#8 03-03-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

You can get GL4 fluids at a VW dealer easily, that's what all their transmissions use. Go to the parts counter and ask for G 070 726 A2. They just developed it, and I can tell you it works quite well in the cold. If you can find redline products you probably want to use 50/50 Redline MTL and MT90.

This isn't a VW is it? These manuals cannot use gear oil. They use either ATF or 10W30 engine oil.

Redline MTL and MT90 will make a worn transmission shift much worse. If you want to use Redline they make synthetic ATF that should be used instead of MTL.

I personally use Mobil1 Synthetic ATF.

WD8CDH · #9 03-03-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

This isn't a VW is it? These manuals cannot use gear oil. They use either ATF or 10W30 engine oil.

Redline MTL and MT90 will make a worn transmission shift much worse. If you want to use Redline they make synthetic ATF that should be used instead of MTL.

I personally use Mobil1 Synthetic ATF.

I have never seen MTL or MT90 make a worn tranny shift worse (assuming that you pick the correct weight). For the trannies that I have used it in, origionally requiring GL4 or ATF, they have always shifted better, but I have not tried it in a MB tranny specifically.

You are right, Redline does make some good synthetic ATF, some are both ATF and GL4:

http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/6.pdf