xsboost

I have a E55 amg with a 149k runs and shifts great, just had it at the Drags last week ran a 12.17@113.7, I bought it used not sure if it has a tune. but looks all stock no intercooler split, but it is next on my list of mods.

Anyway what trans fluid do you guys recommend???

sexyxe

I believe Shell ATF 134 is commonly used

Max.H

Dont do it.. Ask any MB tech. Dealers or any real Mb tech won't recommend that. I wanted to do the same. but it "can" causes more problems then its worth. I stay away and done the change twice car runs smooth and fast.

I was advised by my friend who is a MB service advisor, Also several MB techs and indie shop owners all say to do this way. Change the fluid and the filter with MB fluid. Then drive on it for 5k miles and drain another 4 quarts. Because only about 4 quarts will come out at the change. The fluid has to be at operating temperature to check the level. So I would recommend doing it at a good MB indie shop or dealer. Its cheap insurance. GL!

green1212

I have to agree with Max on this. I used the shell atf134 and got a wicked low price from wholesaler out of Miami and that's where the good news stops. in comfort mode, car drives normal, no issues whatsoever but in sport mode, it just not running right. between 30-40 mph, it seems the car do not know what it wants to do or where it should be??? ran perfectly fine before I did the change and I been thinking its software related or maybe a "tune" can correct it but I am afraid I need to replace the fluid back to oem Mercedes tranny fluids. so I agree with Max, just save yourself some trouble and don't be cheap and buy the oem Mercedes tranny fluids! good advice Max!!!!

carguyshu

shell 134 is approved current mercedes fluid & you will see no benefit to buying the dealer branded version.

you are likely experiencing problems b/c the new fluid is more 'slick' & that is amplifying existing transmission issues or the new fluid, which doesn't have depleted detergents, is causing crud to let loose. Get all of the old stuff out. The new spec (which shell 134 is) is much better. Here is a list of fluids that meet the new spec & has been the factory fill on the newer 722.6 trannys for awhile.

https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...236.14_en.html

The original fluid that was in your car was 236.10 spec, which most dealers don't carry anymore as it is inferior and no longer used as factory fill. In fact, mercedes sent out a mandate telling dealers to only use the new spec

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...ate-236.14.jpg

Member Glyn M Ruck helped develop the new standard. Read this thread & his comments with post #6 being important as well as his comments regarding flushing.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...722-6-atf.html

carguyshu

"There is only one approved additive system so whether you buy Fuchs, Benz OE, Febi or Shell it makes no difference." explains why there is no reason to buy the more expensive benz oe fluid. You just need to make sure it is one of the fluids listed that it meets 236.14 specs and you are literally getting the exact same thing. DONT buy the cheap crap like valvoline maxlife, which does NOT meet the 236.14 spec. ONLY BUY A FLUID THAT IS ON THIS SPEC LIST!

HeissRod

Max was saying not to do a flush. He was not against the Shell 134 fluid.

I run the Shell fluid without issue. You may want to check your fluid level after driving around for roughly 30 minutes and getting it up to operating temperature.

carguyshu

if your fluid currently isn't in great shape you need to do a flush (don't do a power flush, just do it per the WIS instructions which are in the thread I linked earlier). Putting in only partially new fluid is not the greatest ideas as "one of the problems is that mixing oxidized fluid with new fluid catalyzes oxidation in the new fluid & shortens it's life. (like putting crap in ice cream)"

xsboost

Thanks for the input.
I will be using the Shell 134, But I think only doing a 4 quart flush when the trans holds 14 quarts, is silly.
A quote from Glyn M Ruck.
There is a HUGE amount of crap spoken on the internet & forums about this issue from - changing your fluid could lead to transmission failure, leave the old fluid in it, to the old fluid is better than the new. What utter bollocks. Time & development moves on and the oil industry has better components available to it than when the earlier generation fluids were developed. What disgusts me is how often ignorant MB Techs that are nothing more than parts changers in many cases pass this misinformation around. Choose carefully who you listen to.

carguyshu

another reason people may think they have problems with a full fluid flush, when really they do not, is b/c the transmission needs to relearn its adaptation settings to work with the new fluid. You can either go into DAS & reset them or do the Sneaky ECU reset. Another option is to just drive and let it act a bit funky for 100-200 miles or so and it will fix itself.

green1212

i agree with the statements, i bought shell 134 b/c it was on the approved list and my personal problem maybe just that: a coincidence that after changing the fluids the ugly gremlin stuck its head out???? i followed the regular fluid change whereby 4 quarts are removed, then i went a step further and proceeded to remove the "old" fluid in the converter by removing the return tranny cooler hose and did 3 quarts removed and replaced at a time until all i got out of the cooler was tranny fluid that looked like the fluid i was putting in. i used 14 quarts of shell atf134 going this route. it was a good removal and replace, measure very well throughout the whole process. the car ran well in either mode before the fluid change and i just wanted to "eliminate" the fluid as the cause by redoing the fluid once more. i am in no hurry since i just did it, i do like the idea of driving couple hundred miles and see if things take care of themselves. and like member said: it may very well be an issue with my transmission also. just damn weird how in comfort mode, shifts and runs as smooth as brand new but in sport mode, doesnt seem to know if it needs to down shift and then it downshifts but then quickly revs up and shifts back up, rpm goes from 2k to 1200 to over 2500 within matter of seconds cruising??? only in sport mode tho...... just damn funny! and not so damn funny!

cetialpha5

Those were some pretty good reads. I take it the shell distributor is still the cheapest place to get Shell ATF 134?

https://www.shell.us/products-servic...r-locator.html

carguyshu

if you can get it from one, its the cheapest I still know of. There wasn't any near me so I just bought a couple cases off ebay at a pretty steep discount.

dpc004

Just ordered Shell 134 ATF from www.wolfetruckparts.com at $5.38 / Qt. They also have flat rate shipping, which saves you $$$.

jcjmw

Do a search on this forum. But, I would advise against doing a trans flush on that high mileage of a car, unless it was done before on a regular basis. I would just do a filter and fluid replacement.

AgSilver

Fuchs Titan 4134 is magic in a bottle. You will be astounded as to the improvement in performance of the 722. That's all MB Germany uses now. The best way is to do a regular service with filter. After 100 miles simply drain what you can (save the drained fluid so you can replace exactly what your drained with fresh 4134). This makes up for what you could not get out of the torque converter. I change the fluid about every 20K miles.

xsboost

Thank You for all the info... I purchased 16 quarts of shell 134, and had it flushed completely, since flush I have about 300 miles and 4 trips down the 1/4 best ET 12.2@114.. my trans with 150k shifts just as good as my buddies 06 e55 with 60k.