How to Change Transfer Case Fluid in a W463 G63
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
G63
How to Change Transfer Case Fluid in a W463 G63
I'm continuing my series on how to do basic maintenance that is apparently difficult to find on the web for this vehicle. Call me a cynic towards Mercedes, but IMO it's just a scheme to have owners take their vehicle to a dealer to get ****ed in the *** on service costs, and it's purposely difficult to find the procedure because of this.. Please take a look at my post history, but I'm going to be posting a ton of these moving forward. If I can help one person or many down the road, that is worth it.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
Now the good stuff:
The Procedure
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
- The cost of materials is ridiculously cheap
- The amount of time required is almost zero
- G classes run on full time four wheel drive. For those reading this who don't know what this means, the G class utilizes the transfer case to run on 4WD all the time and cannot be toggled to 2WD. Vehicles like a Jeep Wrangler are on 2WD, and you switch to 4WD as needed.
- The fluid I drained looked like the differential fluid, and was slightly cloudy with microscopic pieces of metal in it. This is normal in any T-Case/Differential but I'd personally advise you take every step necessary to prevent problems down the road.
- Fluid is cheap. Replacement parts are expensive.
Now the good stuff:
- Expected Time: 30 minutes without a lift, 20 minutes with a lift. two or four post doesn't matter here.
- Difficulty: 1 out of 10. This is easier than an oil change. If you cannot do this or are scared of the procedure, take your vehicle in to a shop for any service moving forward. I don't think you should be working on vehicles.
- Parts: You will need three quarts of gear oil that follows the Mercedes 235.11 spec. If you would like to change out the washer on the fill plug, you would buy one of those as well.
- Important Disclaimer: The 235.11 spec fluid is ridiculously difficult to find, and you won't find it in one or five quart containers. The companies selling this fluid will only sell them in something like a drum. In lieu of this I would advise finding a shop who will sell you some fluid or go with any reputable, quality API GL4/GL5 rated gear oil.
- Tools: The most important tool you will need is a 14mm hex bit. If you don't own one, I'd advise you get one because it's the same bit you will need for the differential fluid change. Preferably something low profile because it's a bit tight on the fill bolt side. You will also need some type of pump. The $10 hand pumps at harbor freight are fine.
The Procedure
- Grab a cold beer
- Locate the transfer case. It's going to be obvious under the car because it's the thing right behind the transmission that has drive shafts going into it.
- Take your 14mm hex bit and break the fill plug loose. The fill plug is located on the passenger side of the transfer case facing forward next to the drive shaft that goes into your front differential. You can't miss it, and it's going to be obvious what it is because it's the gigantic female opening where a 14mm hex bit goes.
- Place a pan under the transfer case, and break the drain bolt loose. This is located at the bottom of the transfer case. Fluid will start to drain.
- Open your beer.
- In a couple minutes, all of the fluid will drain. The spec for the VG150E calls for right at three quarts of fluid, so I would just let the transfer case drain unless you see slow drops coming out.
- clean all of the metal shavings off of the magnet on the drain plug. Re-install the drain plug, torque to 60 foot pounds.
- Stick the suction end of the pump into your new fluid container, and the other end into the fill opening of the transfer case. Pump fluid in until you see fluid dripping out of the fill opening. Mine pretty much went to the last drop on the third quart.
- Torque fill bolt to 60 foot pounds
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
Last edited by jtm893; Apr 15, 2021 at 02:40 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Dubai
ML55 AMG, CL65 AMG, G63 AMG
General information on gear oil
Here is the general advise oil list from MB. You will find good information ob out all kind of gears and the required oil.
See at the end the rear axle oil requirements for the G63.
See at the end the rear axle oil requirements for the G63.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 19
From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 AMG G63 (W463)
I'm continuing my series on how to do basic maintenance that is apparently difficult to find on the web for this vehicle. Call me a cynic towards Mercedes, but IMO it's just a scheme to have owners take their vehicle to a dealer to get ****ed in the *** on service costs, and it's purposely difficult to find the procedure because of this.. Please take a look at my post history, but I'm going to be posting a ton of these moving forward. If I can help one person or many down the road, that is worth it.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
Now the good stuff:
The Procedure
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
- The cost of materials is ridiculously cheap
- The amount of time required is almost zero
- G classes run on full time four wheel drive. For those reading this who don't know what this means, the G class utilizes the transfer case to run on 4WD all the time and cannot be toggled to 2WD. Vehicles like a Jeep Wrangler are on 2WD, and you switch to 4WD as needed.
- The fluid I drained looked like the differential fluid, and was slightly cloudy with microscopic pieces of metal in it. This is normal in any T-Case/Differential but I'd personally advise you take every step necessary to prevent problems down the road.
- Fluid is cheap. Replacement parts are expensive.
Now the good stuff:
- Expected Time: 30 minutes without a lift, 20 minutes with a lift. two or four post doesn't matter here.
- Difficulty: 1 out of 10. This is easier than an oil change. If you cannot do this or are scared of the procedure, take your vehicle in to a shop for any service moving forward. I don't think you should be working on vehicles.
- Parts: You will need three quarts of gear oil that follows the Mercedes 235.11 spec. If you would like to change out the washer on the fill plug, you would buy one of those as well.
- Important Disclaimer: The 235.11 spec fluid is ridiculously difficult to find, and you won't find it in one or five quart containers. The companies selling this fluid will only sell them in something like a drum. In lieu of this I would advise finding a shop who will sell you some fluid or go with any reputable, quality API GL4/GL5 rated gear oil.
- Tools: The most important tool you will need is a 14mm hex bit. If you don't own one, I'd advise you get one because it's the same bit you will need for the differential fluid change. Preferably something low profile because it's a bit tight on the fill bolt side. You will also need some type of pump. The $10 hand pumps at harbor freight are fine.
The Procedure
- Grab a cold beer
- Locate the transfer case. It's going to be obvious under the car because it's the thing right behind the transmission that has drive shafts going into it.
- Take your 14mm hex bit and break the fill plug loose. The fill plug is located on the passenger side of the transfer case facing forward next to the drive shaft that goes into your front differential. You can't miss it, and it's going to be obvious what it is because it's the gigantic female opening where a 14mm hex bit goes.
- Place a pan under the transfer case, and break the drain bolt loose. This is located at the bottom of the transfer case. Fluid will start to drain.
- Open your beer.
- In a couple minutes, all of the fluid will drain. The spec for the VG150E calls for right at three quarts of fluid, so I would just let the transfer case drain unless you see slow drops coming out.
- clean all of the metal shavings off of the magnet on the drain plug. Re-install the drain plug, torque to 60 foot pounds.
- Stick the suction end of the pump into your new fluid container, and the other end into the fill opening of the transfer case. Pump fluid in until you see fluid dripping out of the fill opening. Mine pretty much went to the last drop on the third quart.
- Torque fill bolt to 60 foot pounds
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
Thanks for the post. I recently had the transfer case oil changed on my 2016 G63 and it cost me over A$700 at my local Mercedes Dealer. According to them the oil is 'special' and thus the cost. I wil keep this in mind the next time I get it done
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 1,769
From: Colorado
G550
With the spinoff of its truck division, MB has launched a new website www.operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com that replaces its former "bevo" website. Start with sheet 231.1 to find the gear oil spec sheet that applies to your vehicle. Then open that spec sheet (for example, 235.1) and you'll find a list of compliant gear oil brands. Online parts suppliers (fcpeuro, autohausaz, pelicanparts, etc.) carry MB and several other brands (Motul, Lukoil, Liquimoly, etc.) and can tell you how many liters you need, and can verify the spec. Cost per liter varies with manufacturer and spec, but most are a bit less than $700.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2003 G500
Gear or transmission fluid?
I'm continuing my series on how to do basic maintenance that is apparently difficult to find on the web for this vehicle. Call me a cynic towards Mercedes, but IMO it's just a scheme to have owners take their vehicle to a dealer to get ****ed in the *** on service costs, and it's purposely difficult to find the procedure because of this.. Please take a look at my post history, but I'm going to be posting a ton of these moving forward. If I can help one person or many down the road, that is worth it.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
Now the good stuff:
The Procedure
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
This procedure covers how to complete a fluid service on a VG150E transfer case, which applies to the 2012-2018 G63 AMG. Please do research and YMMV but for any G500 or G550 owner out there, I'd be willing to bet it's the same transmission. I'd be more surprised if those vehicles were not using a VG150E.
The service manual calls for this service every 5 years or 50,000 miles. I just completed mine at 5/40k but IMO, I would change this more frequently for five reasons:
- The cost of materials is ridiculously cheap
- The amount of time required is almost zero
- G classes run on full time four wheel drive. For those reading this who don't know what this means, the G class utilizes the transfer case to run on 4WD all the time and cannot be toggled to 2WD. Vehicles like a Jeep Wrangler are on 2WD, and you switch to 4WD as needed.
- The fluid I drained looked like the differential fluid, and was slightly cloudy with microscopic pieces of metal in it. This is normal in any T-Case/Differential but I'd personally advise you take every step necessary to prevent problems down the road.
- Fluid is cheap. Replacement parts are expensive.
Now the good stuff:
- Expected Time: 30 minutes without a lift, 20 minutes with a lift. two or four post doesn't matter here.
- Difficulty: 1 out of 10. This is easier than an oil change. If you cannot do this or are scared of the procedure, take your vehicle in to a shop for any service moving forward. I don't think you should be working on vehicles.
- Parts: You will need three quarts of gear oil that follows the Mercedes 235.11 spec. If you would like to change out the washer on the fill plug, you would buy one of those as well.
- Important Disclaimer: The 235.11 spec fluid is ridiculously difficult to find, and you won't find it in one or five quart containers. The companies selling this fluid will only sell them in something like a drum. In lieu of this I would advise finding a shop who will sell you some fluid or go with any reputable, quality API GL4/GL5 rated gear oil.
- Tools: The most important tool you will need is a 14mm hex bit. If you don't own one, I'd advise you get one because it's the same bit you will need for the differential fluid change. Preferably something low profile because it's a bit tight on the fill bolt side. You will also need some type of pump. The $10 hand pumps at harbor freight are fine.
The Procedure
- Grab a cold beer
- Locate the transfer case. It's going to be obvious under the car because it's the thing right behind the transmission that has drive shafts going into it.
- Take your 14mm hex bit and break the fill plug loose. The fill plug is located on the passenger side of the transfer case facing forward next to the drive shaft that goes into your front differential. You can't miss it, and it's going to be obvious what it is because it's the gigantic female opening where a 14mm hex bit goes.
- Place a pan under the transfer case, and break the drain bolt loose. This is located at the bottom of the transfer case. Fluid will start to drain.
- Open your beer.
- In a couple minutes, all of the fluid will drain. The spec for the VG150E calls for right at three quarts of fluid, so I would just let the transfer case drain unless you see slow drops coming out.
- clean all of the metal shavings off of the magnet on the drain plug. Re-install the drain plug, torque to 60 foot pounds.
- Stick the suction end of the pump into your new fluid container, and the other end into the fill opening of the transfer case. Pump fluid in until you see fluid dripping out of the fill opening. Mine pretty much went to the last drop on the third quart.
- Torque fill bolt to 60 foot pounds
Congratulations, you just finished a transfer case fluid change in 30 minutes. The total cost of fluid was $60. A dealer quoted me $500 for the change.
Thanks
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 1,769
From: Colorado
G550
Many thanks to jtm893 for the original post and to DVR for bumping it. Stuff like this is why I hang around this forum. I just posted my experience on a brake fluid flush on the sister W463A forum.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 849
Likes: 507
From: NJ/NYC
2005 G55K
I did this a month or so ago and used Amsoil Manual Transmission & Gear Axle Lube in 75W-90 - GL4. API GL-4 Rated Fluid is required due to brass/bronze in the TC. Takes 3 qts on the dot, so getting an extra won't hurt.
2005 G55
2005 G55
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
AMG G65
oil grade for 2018 G65 Transfer Case
Can you help me to find the whole document: General information on gear oils.pdf
I am looking for the oil grade for 2018 G65 Transfer Case?
I am looking for the oil grade for 2018 G65 Transfer Case?
