722.6 ATF
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Indeed ~ Shell owns Pennzoil so it is likely the same product. Shell can't re-lable fluid without read across permission from Benz & the Pennzoil product would have to be listed as approved.
Thus far we have found that people that order Pennzoil product in fact receive it in the Shell packaging.
Thus far we have found that people that order Pennzoil product in fact receive it in the Shell packaging.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
A few months ago when I was looking for Shell 134, I went to a local Shell gas station. I saw Pennzoil ATF but nowhere in the label stated 134. So I ended up with MB ATF, $25 per liter. I figured better to be safe than putting in the wrong fluid.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,151
Likes: 533
Mercedes
Let me go against all the debate here and suggest that if you're paying $400 or so for a fluid and filter change every 39k miles , you'll spend $2000 before 200,000 miles .
I bought a high mileage Benz and replaced the transmission from one being parted out in this forum for $500. It now had 199800 miles. So it cost me less by replacing the transmission , than if I had done 5 costly tranny fluid changes
I bought a high mileage Benz and replaced the transmission from one being parted out in this forum for $500. It now had 199800 miles. So it cost me less by replacing the transmission , than if I had done 5 costly tranny fluid changes
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You are A) Extremely lucky to have found a transmission for $500. This is a $8000+ transmission. B) The transmission you have purchased is a complete unknown. It might be fine for many years. It might fail a day after it's short warranty runs out ~ if it had a warranty.
I would rather maintain what I have in the most cost effective fashion.
I would rather maintain what I have in the most cost effective fashion.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
a) the ride quality is going to suck if you leave old fluid in your tranny for a long period of time. What would you prefer if either option had the same lifetime cost -- terrible ride always and replace tranny every 15 years, or nice ride always and replace tranny every 30 years? (I should also add that my 1999 BMW 540i "sealed" transmission lasted 6 years to 90k ... $5k replacement cost ... traded that in for my new 2005 C230 
)
b) DIY fluid changes can cost under $100 (mine did), if you can get the fluid at a good price. Granted, the cost of the fluid varies greatly, so if the best you can get is $25/qt then even a DIY is going to cost you $350 in fluid and parts. But if you find some around $6/qt then your parts cost will drop under $100. My guess is you'll always be somewhere in between.
So, if you are comparing apples to apples, I suggest you compare DIY fluid changes against DIY tranny swap ... $100-300/service vs $500-1500 used transmission (replacing it yourself) ... or auto shop service $300-400 vs auto shop rebuilt tranny $3000-5000. Either way it's about a 10x ratio.
)b) DIY fluid changes can cost under $100 (mine did), if you can get the fluid at a good price. Granted, the cost of the fluid varies greatly, so if the best you can get is $25/qt then even a DIY is going to cost you $350 in fluid and parts. But if you find some around $6/qt then your parts cost will drop under $100. My guess is you'll always be somewhere in between.
So, if you are comparing apples to apples, I suggest you compare DIY fluid changes against DIY tranny swap ... $100-300/service vs $500-1500 used transmission (replacing it yourself) ... or auto shop service $300-400 vs auto shop rebuilt tranny $3000-5000. Either way it's about a 10x ratio.
Last edited by jkowtko; Nov 26, 2012 at 01:03 PM.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Yep, after my initial investment in the Assenmacher fluid pump, I can now change the fluid in my 722.9 for around $100. Even counting the purchase price of the pump, my first change was still less than what the dealer or indy wanted to charge.
BTW, has anyone found a good USA source for the 236.14 fluid? I was buying Shell ATF 134 from Ryder fleet products, for about $6/qt, but they no longer carry it. It seems I can't find it for less than about $12/qt.
BTW, has anyone found a good USA source for the 236.14 fluid? I was buying Shell ATF 134 from Ryder fleet products, for about $6/qt, but they no longer carry it. It seems I can't find it for less than about $12/qt.
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 200
Likes: 2
2007 c280
I realize this thread is old but a have a pertaining question. Is there any means by which I can use vaccum or a pump to remove the old fluid from the TC?
Im not mega confident cranking the motor to pump the old fluid from the cooler and the TC and was curious if a method has been found to avoid this.
Perhaps by sending a sump hose into the filler tube, or removing a cooler line and hooking it to suction?
I used to use an old windshield washer fluid pump hooked up the the battery with alligator clips to pump the oil from my audi. It was easy, didnt require the car to be lifted on jack stands, and removed all but 1/4 of a qt.
Is there a known method like this on the 722.6 flavor trans?
Thank you gentleman!
Im not mega confident cranking the motor to pump the old fluid from the cooler and the TC and was curious if a method has been found to avoid this.
Perhaps by sending a sump hose into the filler tube, or removing a cooler line and hooking it to suction?
I used to use an old windshield washer fluid pump hooked up the the battery with alligator clips to pump the oil from my audi. It was easy, didnt require the car to be lifted on jack stands, and removed all but 1/4 of a qt.
Is there a known method like this on the 722.6 flavor trans?
Thank you gentleman!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
For technical theory reasons I am not a fan of applying a vacuum to a system that operates on pressure. (I hold this sentiment for brakes and PS as well.)
Sucking from the fill tube will only get fluid out of the sump anyway ... the TQ doesn't drop it's fluid when the sump is empty -- otherwise all that fluid would automatically drain out when you drained and removed the pan.
If you're going to do anything with the cooler lines, the safest thing by far is to let the transmission pump do what it does best ... pump fluid. Just make sure you don't leave the pump running dry ... so as everyone points out, only 2 qts at a time.
Sucking from the fill tube will only get fluid out of the sump anyway ... the TQ doesn't drop it's fluid when the sump is empty -- otherwise all that fluid would automatically drain out when you drained and removed the pan.
If you're going to do anything with the cooler lines, the safest thing by far is to let the transmission pump do what it does best ... pump fluid. Just make sure you don't leave the pump running dry ... so as everyone points out, only 2 qts at a time.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 312
CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
For technical theory reasons I am not a fan of applying a vacuum to a system that operates on pressure. (I hold this sentiment for brakes and PS as well.)
Sucking from the fill tube will only get fluid out of the sump anyway ... the TQ doesn't drop it's fluid when the sump is empty -- otherwise all that fluid would automatically drain out when you drained and removed the pan.
If you're going to do anything with the cooler lines, the safest thing by far is to let the transmission pump do what it does best ... pump fluid. Just make sure you don't leave the pump running dry ... so as everyone points out, only 2 qts at a time.
Sucking from the fill tube will only get fluid out of the sump anyway ... the TQ doesn't drop it's fluid when the sump is empty -- otherwise all that fluid would automatically drain out when you drained and removed the pan.
If you're going to do anything with the cooler lines, the safest thing by far is to let the transmission pump do what it does best ... pump fluid. Just make sure you don't leave the pump running dry ... so as everyone points out, only 2 qts at a time.
As far as the posts from 2012 about getting a new transmission over doing the fluid changes
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 149
2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Changed the ATF and the filter yesterday on my 2003 CLK 320 with the 722.6 transmission.
The car has 71,000 km on it and this is the first time the fluid has been changed.
Look at the difference.
The car has 71,000 km on it and this is the first time the fluid has been changed.
Look at the difference.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
I would drop the pan and replace the filter. That will net about 4 quarts. If you really want to do a full flush, do that first, then this:
http://benzbits.com/722_6/TransmissionFlush.pdf
http://benzbits.com/722_6/TransmissionFlush.pdf
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2000 ml230
Hi All, I just purchased my first M/B it is a 2000 ML320 with 157000 miles on it and I'd like to change the ATF. I'm Sooooo confused regarding all the different spec's. I need straight info. I'm not sure what type of transmission it has. So here are the dumb question's of the day.
1. how do I determine what type of transmission it has
2. what type of ATF should I use for that transmission other than M/B "shell?", please don't confuse me with too many spec's.
I'm not bad at mechanic's so that is not a problem
Thanks in advance
1. how do I determine what type of transmission it has
2. what type of ATF should I use for that transmission other than M/B "shell?", please don't confuse me with too many spec's.
I'm not bad at mechanic's so that is not a problem
Thanks in advance
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Your W163 ML320 has the 722.6 transmission. I assume you are in the USA? If so, Shell ATF-134 is going to be the least expensive and easiest to obtain fluid that is appropriate for your transmission.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 4
From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
which ones are the "approved" ones by MB?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
