cross post from benzworld re: Mercedes tranny oil..any thoughts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chlubb · #1 02-03-2008, 05:17 PM

This was copied from the post at the following link, any thoughts?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1351093-interesting-transmission-fluid-information.html?highlight=transmission+failure

A customer of mine sent in a part we produce to have us look at it. His stationary showed he owned a transmission shop. I had to call him today to get some information on our product, but he seemed like a really nice and intelligent guy so I asked him about the hub-bub of Mercedes transmission fluid and related subjects.

Come to find out he was a wealth of information. The reason that MB spec's their own fluid is not the fluid itself, but an additive that they have put in after the fact. He went on to say that as long as we used a Mercon V fluid, we would be fine. The additives in Mercon V are virtually identical to the MB stuff.

He went on to add that the 722.6 transmission is used in a host of Chrysler vehicles even including some Jeeps and they are all using Mercon V. He told me that if I was to simply drain out the pan and refill each year, changing the filter every other year, I would never be into his shop with a failure. I asked if every year was overkill and he said no. While the fluid may do ok to 60k, the strains put on that fluid every day and how pitiful the filters are make him want to change it frequently. I figure $15 per change on non filter years is pretty damn cheap.

His preferred fluid that he uses in his own vehicles, is Valvoline Mercon V synthetic. For the price (~$3.50/qt) he said it is about as good as you can get.

The wealth of knowledge that he had demonstrated to me that he was not just talking out of his butt.

Use this information as you wish, but I am going to follow his advise and do a drain and fill this weekend. Will do it every year from now on.

mbdoc · #2 02-04-2008, 08:12 AM

There are many claims from many companies about their fluid.
None that I've talked to would guarantee to replace a $4000+ transmission if it failed.

IN fact 2 years ago we had a customer that used BG fluid & the trans failed with-in 6 months of changing to their fluid. They claimed it wasn't a lubrication related failure!

Hard to prove otherwise as only a planetary bearing had failed!

Why would MB go to such trouble to have a special formula of fluid made if just any OFF the shelf fluid would work??

YOU are WASTING natural resources by changing fluids that often!
Also will cost you more than a every 50K fluid change with the correct fluid!

chlubb · #3 02-04-2008, 09:00 AM

Doc,
Agreed on all points.
However, knowing that they shared the tranny with Chrysler vehicles, the point was semi-valid that Chrysler owners would probably not be willing to pay $18/L for tranny oil.
I guess the question is, which cars are using this tranny and what oil do they use?

mbdoc · #4 02-04-2008, 11:02 AM

The latest MB list is $15 & the same fluid at Chrysler is $13.75.

Since both suggest limited fluid changes I doubt that anyone would really care those prices.

chlubb · #5 02-04-2008, 04:17 PM

thanks, good intel!!

btw, my dealers here charge $18 and $25 for the oil so its getting a little insane.

mbdoc · #6 02-04-2008, 05:04 PM

Have you checked HERE or on-line.

chlubb · #7 02-04-2008, 05:10 PM

yes, but $15 + shipping is about the same as $18 locally. The $25 dealer should be shot, they got pissed when i said it was normally $15-18, they didnt care that I walked out.

MB DOC, i wrote you a reply in my "Saga cont.." post a few below, would you mind taking a look at it.