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I don't see a cover for it, and if there is, how would he see it as part of an oil change? (especially since oil changes should be done whereby the dealer extracts oil from the top...)
He said he thinks it's the crush washer....I don't know why he didn't come get me in the waiting room. But, I'm getting it changed anyways to be sure from a local shop. I went on amazon, bought a dip stick tranny oil only to find out it can't be check. In miles not kilometers, and I drove 40K at city driving and now the last 7K highway. Plus when I get it changed, I'm going to watch and look if there was a leak.
Last edited by AgilityControl; 03-28-2017 at 10:36 PM.
I don't see a cover for it, and if there is, how would he see it as part of an oil change? (especially since oil changes should be done whereby the dealer extracts oil from the top...)
I have the direct injection engine and the 7G Tronic Plus transmission.
He said he thinks it's the crush washer....I don't know why he didn't come get me in the waiting room. But, I'm getting it changed anyways to be sure from a local shop. I went on amazon, bought a dip stick tranny oil only to find out it can't be check. In miles not kilometers, and I drove 40K at city driving and now the last 7K highway. Plus when I get it changed, I'm going to watch and look if there was a leak.
Thanks sir.
Can you not use the dipstick and break open the cover using a screwdriver? Sorry I don't have the plus tranny but I thought one can retrofit the dipstick so it would work? Pardon the ignorance
Can you not use the dipstick and break open the cover using a screwdriver? Sorry I don't have the plus tranny but I thought one can retrofit the dipstick so it would work? Pardon the ignorance
There is no dipstick for tranny. It is filled underneath from what I understand. They check fluid level with thermal gun somehow. I'm still learning about it, but I'll be there when they change it. Of course I'm a little worried how the shop will do.
I've read about 20 threads and been searching, and I'm still not convinced if I should get 236.14 or 236.15 fluid. I know you mentioned to check with your VIN to determine your transmission type, but perhaps I'm not sure what you all mean by that. I've checked my VIN on a couple free VIN decoders, but none mentions the 7G Tronic or 7G Tronic PLUS.
I've found a couple sites to run my vin and here are 5 relevant pieces of info I get for transmission: Transmission: 722964 03 901043 [transmissionType = GA]
Engine no: 272948 32 015126
Transmission Code Version 64
A89-Reduced Friction
Release date was March 2012
My car was built right around change to the 7G Tronic PLUS, so that's what is causing my uncertainty. Unfortunately, none of the VIN checking sites I found mention the terms "7G Tronic" or "7G Tronic PLUS".
Originally I was convinced after reading multiple threads that it was the 7G Tronic (because of no push button start) and was going to get 236.14, but after going to ECS Tuning to buy a kit and dropping in my year, make, model, it was prompting me to get the 236.15. The key component for ECS Tuning going 236.14 or 236.15 is whether or not it has the A89-Reduced Friction requirement. (No requirement = 236.14, Requirement = 236.15). My car, per the VIN checking site, has the requirement for reduced friction.
I think ECS is reputable, but still want to be 100% certain.
I've even gone so far as to sign up for an EPC at https://epc.startekinfo.com (and I'm very likely using it wrong), but I can't find the answer there.
any help is greatly appreciated.
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
No - the new 236.15 Blue transmission fluid is for 722.9 Plus transmissions only. The present formulation is not reverse compatible.
i have this same question. ECS seems to be the only one using code A89 as the predicator between the two fluid types. While the MB bulletin in this thread seems to state otherwise.
i have this same question. ECS seems to be the only one using code A89 as the predicator between the two fluid types. While the MB bulletin in this thread seems to state otherwise.
Anyone figure this BS out? I have a 2012 C300 7G Tronic NOT Plus because no Start/Stop and M272. I have the ECS kit for A89 Reduced Friction which includes the Blue .15 fluid not the Red .14 because it was changed in 2010. Do all 722.9 transmission after mid 2010 receive the A89 and require the Blue .15 fluid not just the 2013 7G Tronic Plus?
Anyone figure this BS out? I have a 2012 C300 7G Tronic NOT Plus because no Start/Stop and M272. I have the ECS kit for A89 Reduced Friction which includes the Blue .15 fluid not the Red .14 because it was changed in 2010. Do all 722.9 transmission after mid 2010 receive the A89 and require the Blue .15 fluid not just the 2013 7G Tronic Plus?
Just did a flush on my 2008 C300 about a month ago, after all my reading and tech responses.
Yes, any tranny 722.9 or 722.9 Plus uses the 236.15 spec blue oil after mid 2010.
Also, No you can't and is not recommended to use 236.15 oil in a mid/pre 2010 722.9 transmission.
If yours is a 2012 it will be the 236.15 oil spec.
Although I ran across a few who changed and never reported back if anything ill happened.
I stayed with spec recommended 236.14 oil for my tranny. Threw me for a loop when I first started reading up on doing a transmission oil change.
In all seriousness, I guess in a way it never has been fully answered. When I called my local MB dealer the tech referenced a change in clutch material surface and a couple other subtle changes and how it was to improve gas mileage. I had read a couple instances where some mentioned 236.14 oil the cause of conductor plate issues somehow. It's pretty confusing to be honest but in the end just recommend to stick with same type of fluid spec as manufactured with. Can't find a specific MB bulletin that recommends switching. They all say don't mix and unless you do a complete tear down of tranny would never get all out to prevent mixing at very minor levels.
Last edited by catmandoob; 09-19-2017 at 08:36 PM.
Just did a flush on my 2008 C300 about a month ago, after all my reading and tech responses.
Yes, any tranny 722.9 or 722.9 Plus uses the 236.15 spec blue oil after mid 2010.
Also, No you can't and is not recommended to use 236.15 oil in a mid/pre 2010 722.9 transmission.
If yours is a 2012 it will be the 236.15 oil spec.
Although I ran across a few who changed and never reported back if anything ill happened.
I stayed with spec recommended 236.14 oil for my tranny. Threw me for a loop when I first started reading up on doing a transmission oil change.
In all seriousness, I guess in a way it never has been fully answered. When I called my local MB dealer the tech referenced a change in clutch material surface and a couple other subtle changes and how it was to improve gas mileage. I had read a couple instances where some mentioned 236.14 oil the cause of conductor plate issues somehow. It's pretty confusing to be honest but in the end just recommend to stick with same type of fluid spec as manufactured with. Can't find a specific MB bulletin that recommends switching. They all say don't mix and unless you do a complete tear down of tranny would never get all out to prevent mixing at very minor levels.
Ok. What about the change interval? The fact that all 722.9 after June 2010 use the 236.15 fluid, does that mean its interval is 76k miles and not 40k?
Ok. What about the change interval? The fact that all 722.9 after June 2010 use the 236.15 fluid, does that mean its interval is 76k miles and not 40k?
I think that is a never ending debate to a degree just because MB has switched their position a couple of times it seems. I remember thinking awesome never going to do a tranny flush again with my W202
Whichever one you are comfortable with
I don't really feel confident saying either way, one way wastes money the other can waste a tranny. I didn't read up as much on the .15 spec since I wasn't using it.
From what is out there and available to read from MB it seems every 80k miles. But you know what they say about assuming.
Anyone figure this BS out? I have a 2012 C300 7G Tronic NOT Plus because no Start/Stop and M272. I have the ECS kit for A89 Reduced Friction which includes the Blue .15 fluid not the Red .14 because it was changed in 2010. Do all 722.9 transmission after mid 2010 receive the A89 and require the Blue .15 fluid not just the 2013 7G Tronic Plus?
i went to the dealer, gave them my vin and they gave me the blue stuff so that was helpful trying to sort it out. when i looked through the book on my 2012 it said every 40 or 4 years so im just going by that.
its frustration because when you start researching this on the forum there is a lot of dead ends and people who post the wrong info.... my head was spinning for a few days...
If A89 Reduced Friction is found in the VIN decoder, then you use 236.15? Otherwise, .14?
I bought a 2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC with the M272 engine and no start-stop and the VIN decoder does not list A89 Reduced Friction so I guess I'll have to use 236.14 and change ATF every 40k miles or 4 years. Right?
If A89 Reduced Friction is found in the VIN decoder, then you use 236.15? Otherwise, .14?
I bought a 2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC with the M272 engine and no start-stop and the VIN decoder does not list A89 Reduced Friction so I guess I'll have to use 236.14 and change ATF every 40k miles or 4 years. Right?
The verdict is that after some time in 2010 they changed from Red to Blue ATF. A89 is in all cars after 2010 so your 2012 C300 will use Blue fluid REGARDLESS 7G Plus with ECO or not.
BUT your service interval is still 40k not 78k due to that only applying to the 7G Plus.
Do not trust what VIN decoder site says 100%, if anything only about 80% of the info is correct. I just used a VIN from 2011 I found online WDDGF8BB5BR180087 and it shows A89 on EPC Datacard, but https://www.vindecoderz.com/ does not show it. You can easily see these mistakes when searching for cars online. You have decodes that tell you the car has premium pack, spoilers, aluminum trim, but when you look at the pictures of said car they have no premium, no spoiler and like burl walnut.
The verdict is that after some time in 2010 they changed from Red to Blue ATF. A89 is in all cars after 2010 so your 2012 C300 will use Blue fluid REGARDLESS 7G Plus with ECO or not.
BUT your service interval is still 40k not 78k due to that only applying to the 7G plus.
The verdict is that after some time in 2010 they changed from Red to Blue ATF. A89 is in all cars after 2010 so your 2012 C300 will use Blue fluid REGARDLESS 7G Plus with ECO or not.
BUT your service interval is still 40k not 78k due to that only applying to the 7G Plus.
Do not trust what VIN decoder site says 100%, if anything only about 80% of the info is correct. I just used a VIN from 2011 I found online WDDGF8BB5BR180087 and it shows A89 on EPC Datacard, but https://www.vindecoderz.com/ does not show it. You can easily see these mistakes when searching for cars online. You have decodes that tell you the car has premium pack, spoilers, aluminum trim, but when you look at the pictures of said car they have no premium, no spoiler and like burl walnut.
Thank you for all this great info. Can you please confirm using your EPC if tjis VIN has A89 or not? Thanks.
See below.
I don't see A89 on yours, but we have the same transmission. Mine is 722964 03 529661 so I don't see why it wouldn't be the blue fluid. You can always drain a bit to verify.
See below.
I don't see A89 on yours, but we have the same transmission. Mine is 722964 03 529661 so I don't see why it wouldn't be the blue fluid. You can always drain a bit to verify.
Thank you for the PDF. Did you car have A89 listed in EPC or not? It will definitely be interesting to drain a bit of fluid and check its color and compare that to not having A89 in the options list.
However, I was advised not to change the ATF now, even if it's past its 4 year interval, because the car only has 5,920 miles. I'll do that next year or wait until I have 30-40k miles on the car. What do you think?
Mine does list A89 and so does every other 2010+ I've looked up, not sure why yours would be the exception unless someone messed up the datacard. I recommend you do it every 40k miles OR 4 years whichever comes first. That means you are 2 years overdue and should do it asap. Sure the oil won't be so bad because the car only has 5k miles, but Mercedes specifically states 40k or 4years, so no harm in listening to them.
Just called the dealer where the car was purchased and he said my 2010 C350 4matic requires the 236.14 fluid. It's manufacturing date is 2010-01-14. He didn't know which transmission I have. I have the push/start button so I read a lot of contradicting information here.
The only owner before me never changed the fluid and it has 53k km on it. I want to flush it but I'm not sure which fluid to use.
Just called the dealer where the car was purchased and he said my 2010 C350 4matic requires the 236.14 fluid. It's manufacturing date is 2010-01-14. He didn't know which transmission I have. I have the push/start button so I read a lot of contradicting information here.
The only owner before me never changed the fluid and it has 53k km on it. I want to flush it but I'm not sure which fluid to use.
The push-start button has nothing to do with the transmission. I think you have that confused with the start-stoo eco button.
The 7G+ we're fitted starting in 2010 but not sure if your car will have it. Only way to be sure is to inspect the transmission fluid pan visually. Refer to my post above.
I've posted this on another thread but I'll post it here just in case, my car is a 2010 c350 with 53000 km. The tranny fluid was never changed. The car was mainly used for short trips. I contacted a few mechanics and they said since it was not serviced at 40k/4years, I should not touch it. It might cause more damage than good.
Any thoughts on this?