OEM or Aftermarket Transmission Fluid
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 90
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From: Carson, Ca
2003 E500 Sport
OEM or Aftermarket Transmission Fluid
Planning on changing transmission fluid and need your advise.. should i go with OEM from Mercedes or go for aftermarket synthetic one?
thank you in advance for all your help
thank you in advance for all your help
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 162
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From: Rochester NY
07 E550 4M - 11 Audi TT - 99 Expedition EB
I went with OEM since it's not that easy to do a full fluid swap yourself and I didn't want to mix fluids. I did a drain, pan removal and new filter and topped the fluid up with almost 4 quarts. I drove it for about 1000 miles and then did a drain and refill again without removing the pan.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I believe the standard fluid is ATF 134. You can get a case of it from a shell distributor. Typically around $60 for a case of 12 quarts. Punch in your state and check the locations for each distributor, they sometimes have multiple locations but Shell just lists them once.
http://www.shell.us/business-custome...r-locator.html
http://www.shell.us/business-custome...r-locator.html
Senior Member
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84 300d 2009 e320 bluetec (retired)/, now 2012 E350 4-matic blueefficiency automatic
Look in your owners manual for the approved aft. Google that number and bevo mercedes. Follow the link and a list of approved atf will appear. No us in paying dealer priced for repackaged aft. Dealer may be using one or two aft for all of the cars. Kind of like the motor oil. Many dealers use the approved non mercedes brands of fluids.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I made my mind long time ago to buy only MB fluids, or German equivalents.
Shell 134 is just few dollars cheaper and I refuse to be Guinea pig for small savings.
Years on forums show that lot of MB owners, who saved $5 using Zerex instead of MB coolant, sooner or later start overheating topicks.
Was the $5 worth it?
Shell 134 is just few dollars cheaper and I refuse to be Guinea pig for small savings.
Years on forums show that lot of MB owners, who saved $5 using Zerex instead of MB coolant, sooner or later start overheating topicks.
Was the $5 worth it?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 493
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84 300d 2009 e320 bluetec (retired)/, now 2012 E350 4-matic blueefficiency automatic
I made my mind long time ago to buy only MB fluids, or German equivalents.
Shell 134 is just few dollars cheaper and I refuse to be Guinea pig for small savings.
Years on forums show that lot of MB owners, who saved $5 using Zerex instead of MB coolant, sooner or later start overheating topicks.
Was the $5 worth it?
Shell 134 is just few dollars cheaper and I refuse to be Guinea pig for small savings.
Years on forums show that lot of MB owners, who saved $5 using Zerex instead of MB coolant, sooner or later start overheating topicks.
Was the $5 worth it?
Mercedes approves use of some of their new fluids (motor oil) for older models in spite of less protection, e.g. for some of the newer fluids may offer less protection use of 229.51 oil and 229.52 oils for better fuel mileage. Same with thinner ATF for better fuel mileage.
Last edited by dave2001auto; Apr 19, 2016 at 08:01 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
I just use the OEM. Around here, i can get it from the MB dealer at the best price.
Little tip: if you jack up the front of the car and leave the rear wheels on the ground you can get another litre or two out of the torque convertor without actually doing the proper TC drain.
Little tip: if you jack up the front of the car and leave the rear wheels on the ground you can get another litre or two out of the torque convertor without actually doing the proper TC drain.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: VA
THE C350
Used Shell 134 ATF in both my 722.6 and now my 722.9 worked great and meets the 236.14 spec
Did a full flush on the 722.6 and ran with all shell 134 atf for around 40k before selling the car.
My new car with the 722.9 had a full flush around 23,000 miles ago and is shifting great.
Did a full flush on the 722.6 and ran with all shell 134 atf for around 40k before selling the car.
My new car with the 722.9 had a full flush around 23,000 miles ago and is shifting great.
Last edited by samaritrey; Apr 19, 2016 at 10:42 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Used Shell 134 ATF in both my 722.6 and now my 722.9 worked great and meets the 236.14 spec
Did a full flush on the 722.6 and ran with all shell 134 atf for around 40k before selling the car.
My new car with the 722.9 had a full flush around 23,000 miles ago and is shifting great.
Did a full flush on the 722.6 and ran with all shell 134 atf for around 40k before selling the car.
My new car with the 722.9 had a full flush around 23,000 miles ago and is shifting great.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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84 300d 2009 e320 bluetec (retired)/, now 2012 E350 4-matic blueefficiency automatic
I would not call Shell ATF 134 aftermarket for mercedes _.14 ATF. Shell (134) and Fuchs (4134) are official suppliers for Mercedes for the _.14 AFT. Fuchs 4134 MSDS has the base is "group III+" or hydro-cracked with high V.I.
Country of origin (USA vs Germany is no indication of the quality for ATF nor oils today).
Shell advertises semi synthetic while Fuchs advertises Synthetic. Both are likely Group III with Group II additives. The plus is more of a market thing for high VI.
Country of origin (USA vs Germany is no indication of the quality for ATF nor oils today).
Shell advertises semi synthetic while Fuchs advertises Synthetic. Both are likely Group III with Group II additives. The plus is more of a market thing for high VI.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Shell is aftermarket for me.
It is MB approved, so are probably 20 or more ATF around the World, that I will not use neither.
You want to go cheaper, owners of W210 have whole success topic about using Valvoline in their transmission.
Again, I am not here to judge the fluid quality, I am just saying that using non-MB fluid proved to backfire in some cases.
You want to test it, go ahead and report back after 30,000 or more miles.
Just like guys on Valvoline did.
It is MB approved, so are probably 20 or more ATF around the World, that I will not use neither.
You want to go cheaper, owners of W210 have whole success topic about using Valvoline in their transmission.
Again, I am not here to judge the fluid quality, I am just saying that using non-MB fluid proved to backfire in some cases.
You want to test it, go ahead and report back after 30,000 or more miles.
Just like guys on Valvoline did.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
I suspect that many problems encountered by DIYers following their transmission fluid changes might be due to their failure to follow M-B mntce. instructions and/or the proper vacuum drain systems, rater then using off-brand fluids.
Certain ZF transmissions are very unforegiving to DIYers.
Voice of experience here.
relinuca
Certain ZF transmissions are very unforegiving to DIYers.
Voice of experience here.
relinuca
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 493
Likes: 14
84 300d 2009 e320 bluetec (retired)/, now 2012 E350 4-matic blueefficiency automatic
I suspect that many problems encountered by DIYers following their transmission fluid changes might be due to their failure to follow M-B mntce. instructions and/or the proper vacuum drain systems, rater then using off-brand fluids.
Certain ZF transmissions are very unforegiving to DIYers.
Voice of experience here.
relinuca
Certain ZF transmissions are very unforegiving to DIYers.
Voice of experience here.
relinuca
The volume in the cooler is small compared to the tc that many dealers don't drain.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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Mercedes
Pentosin ATF 1 will work however the 1LV is the fluid designed and prescribed for Merc 722's. I normally package all my kits with the Pentosin however you have a MYRIAD of good options for the 722.6 from dealer, shell, fuchs, pentosin, valvoline etc. I'd say just pick a fluid, follow the change procedure and you will be OK. Don't overthink this one.
--Kyle
--Kyle
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Joined: Sep 2022
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slk320
Pentosin ATF1 is Germany and may be approved for the 5G, but is not approved for the 7G transmission. While Shell ATF134 and Mobil approved by Mercedes for the 7G transmission and used by many dealers.
Mercedes approves use of some of their new fluids (motor oil) for older models in spite of less protection, e.g. for some of the newer fluids may offer less protection use of 229.51 oil and 229.52 oils for better fuel mileage. Same with thinner ATF for better fuel mileage.
Mercedes approves use of some of their new fluids (motor oil) for older models in spite of less protection, e.g. for some of the newer fluids may offer less protection use of 229.51 oil and 229.52 oils for better fuel mileage. Same with thinner ATF for better fuel mileage.
