nimbusbeer

Hi,
Just need to top off my low fluid in my 2006 E500.
What type? And any good place to get it? I'm not in a hurry, so mail order ok. Thanks! (tried searching, but don't want to screw up and get the wrong stuff)..

Thanks again!!

Cheers,

F1Fan

This is around the time MB went to a 7 speed transmission, 722.9 7G Tronic. I believe it originally used the 'red' Mercedes transmission fluid, the one that is MB236.14 approved. Later years, they switched to the 'blue' fluid. It is important to note that the two fluids should not be mixed together. So therefore it is super important to get the correct fluid for your car. If this was my car, I would first look in the owner's manual to see what they specify. Next, I would stop by the Benz dealer and talk to the parts department. Give them the VIN and they can tell you which fluid. If you just want to buy a quart, just get it from the dealer. But if you are looking to do a drain, change filter, etc., then order it online from a place such as FCPEuro. They have maintenance kits that uses Pentosin ATF134, which has MB236.14 approval.

Btw, how do you know you need to top it off? I thought the car does not have a transmission dip stick?

nimbusbeer

Yeah, bought a dipstick on amazon. Haven't checked it yet, but pretty darn sure the fluid is low. Otherwise, more serious problems. But it went into limp mode, which is apparently what happens with low fluid. I guess I'll just run by the dealer and see if they'll sell me some fluid. Planning on checking the level tomorrow. Unfortunately, no owner's manual. The only one I can find online doesn't specify exact trans fluid.

Note; fcpeuro is showing red as the transmission fluid. I guess I should be able to detect the color from the dipstick, no?

Thanks for the input.

ot1

I would input your VIN into a decoder site and find out what trans you have if a dealer is not close-by. Or you could downshift and see how many gears you have. My 2006 E320 CDI is a 5 speed (722.6)

nimbusbeer

The VIN check comes back as a 7 gear transmission. Which is what I had thought.

F1Fan

Try this link. 2006 E500 Owner's Manual.

Yes, use the dipstick and wipe it with a white paper towel. It should be some shade of red. Might be more of a dark or faded reddish color. But won't be anything close to a blue color.

Edit: I looked myself and the only reference I could find was on page 484. It only states 'MB Automatic Transmission Fluid'. Not helpful!

tjts1

Can't use the dipstick on the 7 speed 722.9.

OP, your transmission is going into limp home mode. You need to pull codes from the TCM and find out what's wrong. Simply adding fluid is not going to fix your problem. Adding ATF to the 7 speed is quite an adventure.

nimbusbeer

So you're saying the dipstick I bought won't work in this transmission? Confused. So how does one check the level? Further confused as to why adding more fluid wouldn't solve the problem if it is just low.

It did go into limp mode two or three times prior to it now remaining in limp mode. I should have known something was up. I guess hoped it was just a fluke. But if the level is indeed low, and I add some fluid, you're saying that wont solve the problem?

I've got a computer I can hook up to it, but still learning how to read that device . UGH... was hoping this would be simple. Haven't had the car long, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the fluid was just low. Oil was low too when I got it.

Thanks.

Hoping to do this myself, cause I'm sure the shop will charge an arm and a leg to do anything...
Cheers...

tjts1

Nope, the dipstick you bought is for the 722.6 which has a dipstick tube. The 722.9 is "sealed for life" nonsense. Watch the video and you'll understand. MB doesn't want you checking the ATF level. Unless you see an obvious leak adding fluid won't fix the problem and in order to add fluid you need to drop the pan and install that plastic filler neck in the pan. Either way, you're dropping the pan.

First thing I would do is use an MB scan tool to read codes from the trabsmission. A generic OBD2 code reader won't do it.

nimbusbeer

Am I getting this right, that the 722.9 doesn't have a fill tube? UGH. Guess the repair shop will be getting a few hundred more bucks out of me. Ouch. What a ****ed up design.

nimbusbeer

I've got the "iCarsoft MBII" so I'll hook it up and see what it is telling me. Hopefully, nothing too horrible. Thanks for your help.

tjts1

Icarsoft is a good tool.

kajtek1

7G does have fill tube and owners can check fluid level.
It only got more complicated, due to design, who IMHO prevents idiots from overfilling transmissions and starting fires as result.
It is complicated 1st time, but with iCarsoft scanner all you need to do is get under level car and open the plug at 80C to confirm the level.
Not saying getting under level car has to be easy, but once you find the way, the next time is a breeze.

ps2cho

If there’s no visible signs of a leak, your conductor plate is probably done. And on 722.9 it’ll need dealer to reprogram it. Not many other issues with either .6 or .9 outside of conductor plate

Inspect for leaks, clear codes, and prep for $1500-2k fix.