Originally Posted by michakaveli (Post 1667625)

Just caught on to this thread. The '05 Taurus I recently acquired per one of the Taurus forums appears to run well on the M1 ATF as it meets the Mercon V specs.... found a bunch of it @ AutoZone for $41/case (6 quarts).

Now for my E300. I don't like to mess around with fluids from the aftermarket as the transmission is a delicate animal. My intents when I change the fluid in my E w/ the 722.6 tranny are to purchase the MB fluid, but, this thread got me thinking. Since my car is an older model, I'm sure the aftermarket has come up with a comparable fluid to the OEM MB fluid for my tranny. I liked using M1 Turbo Diesel 5w-40 but switched to the Amsoil Heavy-Duty Diesel & Marine 15w-40 since I live in a warmer climate and like the 15w protection. Would the Amsoil ATF work w/ the 722.6 w/o issues? Also what gear oil is recommended for the rear-end? I'd like to replace that as well.

Other E300 owners chime in as well. :D

Originally Posted by michakaveli (Post 1667625)

Just caught on to this thread. The '05 Taurus I recently acquired per one of the Taurus forums appears to run well on the M1 ATF as it meets the Mercon V specs.... found a bunch of it @ AutoZone for $41/case (6 quarts).

Now for my E300. I don't like to mess around with fluids from the aftermarket as the transmission is a delicate animal. My intents when I change the fluid in my E w/ the 722.6 tranny are to purchase the MB fluid, but, this thread got me thinking. Since my car is an older model, I'm sure the aftermarket has come up with a comparable fluid to the OEM MB fluid for my tranny. I liked using M1 Turbo Diesel 5w-40 but switched to the Amsoil Heavy-Duty Diesel & Marine 15w-40 since I live in a warmer climate and like the 15w protection. Would the Amsoil ATF work w/ the 722.6 w/o issues? Also what gear oil is recommended for the rear-end? I'd like to replace that as well.

Other E300 owners chime in as well. :D

Originally Posted by 300B (Post 1667652)

I've been using Pennzoil Multi ATF for about 10k with no problems at all.

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 1667661)

And if it blows up at 20k miles into your experiment, you would have saved a whole $20 on trans fluid, cool saving money is fun! Except overall you will be $2,980 in the hole after a rebuild. But you did save some money on your trans fluid!:D

Originally Posted by 300B (Post 1667652)

I've been using Pennzoil Multi ATF for about 10k with no problems at all.

Originally Posted by gsxr (Post 1667676)

And do you have a Mercedes 722.6, 5-speed automatic transmission? Your profile and signature don't state what vehicle you have....

:blank:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 1667701)

He is trying to prove that everyone including MB is wrong by running regular ATF in his 722.6.:D

If he is successful he saves $20, if not he spends $3k.

Originally Posted by michakaveli (Post 1667677)

I'll stay with OEM MB diff and tranny fluids then... Mainly I was looking for an easier source for the fluids. :D

Originally Posted by gsxr (Post 1667672)

I'll second that. For a 722.6 transmission only, I would STRONGLY recommend only using the factory Mercedes fluid. Order it from Duval if your local dealer's price is too high. I think Phil at MercedesShop can also order it at a decent price. The 722.6 did not specify a Dexron fluid. Only the older transmissions use Dexron fluid (722.1, .2, .3, .4, .5).

For the rear end, I have used Red Line and Mobil-1 gear oil. However in higher-mileage diffs (approx 200k or more), I have had gear whine develop within 20kmi after the switch, on two different 124's. Could be a fluke, but in the future, I'm sticking with the dino fluid. For limited-slip or ASD Mercdedes diffs, I'd use the factory limited-slip gear lube only (photo is here). I change the rear gear oil about the same time as the trans fluid (25-30kmi).

I've had problems with non-MB power steering fluid too... so yes, laugh if you want, but I use MB PSF as well. It's about $7/liter but I change it maybe every 5 years or so. I think I can afford that. I also like that the factory stuff is light tan/gold colored, so you can tell if it gets dirty. With red ATF in the PS system, you can't tell anything. Don't forget to change the PS filter, too...

:thinking:

Originally Posted by 300B (Post 1668611)

My 722.6 tranny is shifting superbly with the Pennzoil Multi ATF which BTW is recommended for the 722.6 in Europe.I'll try to dig up the PDF.

Originally Posted by 300B (Post 1668613)

Why?

You think your car will "explode" by not using OEM fluids?

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 1666553)

I probably should just start using Amsoil 5w40 as well. If Walmart drops Delvac 1 like they have in the past, then its pretty expensive to get from the dealer. So I'll probably just order a case of Amsoil engine oil.