Transmission fluid for 2012 gl450?
 

Red, blue, etc??? Brand???

Depends on if your vehicle has the A89 option code. If it does, blue (low friction). Pentosin is an often recommended brand.

If its 2012 then more than likely it has A89 code, then you are looking at the Blue fluid, you can select any brand as long as its 236.15 speck, Pentosin, Fuchs, LiquiMoly, Febi etc, whatever your taste is.
Punch in your VIN number to datamb.com and you should see the option A89 in the options list, then you`d know for sure.
Don`t forget to change the pan bolts, they are one time use and cheap enough.

tranny fluid
 

I highly recommend the top grade of Amsoil signature

This doesn't make sense. Why change them out, not like you tighten them so much that they stretch or anything? (sounds like a cash grab lol)

They are supposedly stretch bolts.

Note they are aluminum, and threading into an aluminum housing. Perhaps MB did not want to use steel bolts going into the aluminum, because of galling - but there are steel bolts going into aluminum all over the engine.

Stretch bolts on a resilient rubber gasket seem utterly retarded.

MB loves the single use fasteners. Those and wheel bolts make no sense to me, but MB hasn't checked with me for my opinion yet. I'm at a loss to understand the use of aluminum too. Porsche has had multiple instances of them causing problems (shearing off) with their engines and continues to use them. Unlikely with the transmission pan, but I'd prefer steel. Maybe it is because of the .2 KG savings.

I reuse some of the single use fasteners, but I've read the pan bolts aren't good candidates for that. Putting your VIN into FCP Euro's website will get you the proper fluid as well.

Fluid and bolts
 

I have changed tranny fluid on the 7 speeds over 20 times with 4 different fluids … Nothing comes close to Amsoil signature and as far as bolts … it’s not even a conversation .. spend the time shopping bolt prices .. have found them as cheap as $1 per.

In what respect, what are the differences, any testing is done? Is this your opinion or anything to back it up? I understand you have changed it over 20 times and believe me, I`m not asking to be an ass, just trying to get more info.
I`m checking the data bulletin in their website now and I see its a multi vehicle ATF, thats first thing to raise an eyebrow, second I see 236.1 then 2-3-5-6-7-9-10-11 on and on but I don`t see 236.15.
Again I`m not disrespecting what you are saying, as a brave person myself, I took the chances of getting hung by my feet here or another forum and used Valvoline Multi Vehicle ATF in my 722.6 more than 10 years ago.
​​​​​​​Cheers

Amsoil transmission fluid
 

Ok I will start with that most forums I am on when you throw out recommendations most people will start and do their research. I have done my research and have used many brands… starting out with Shell.. won’t touch it ever again .. fluid looked horrible at only 20k miles. All the fluids I have used are specifically for the 7 speed tranny INCLUDING AMSOIL. I highly suggested the SIGNATURE series. Please go to Amsoil and do your research . I will start you out with 1 link … the signature series was tested in taxi-cabs at 180,000 miles. We have it in 4 of our MB’s and also a Ford Powerstroke 7.3.
Make sure you are reading about the AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic ATF…it is spec at 236.12 236.14 236.15 and 236.41
When I am comparing over 20 changes this includes how well it shifts, color of fluid, how much metal and junk is in the bottom of the pan and magnets. Nothing comes close to Amsoil… the last couple of Amsoil changes felt like a waste of my money .. pan was spotless and fluid looked fantastic.
https://amsoilcontent.com/ams/lit/da...tins/g3110.pdf

Yes you are correct, please disregard my comment about the specs of the ATF, I was looking at the blue label bottle, I should’ve checked the red one. Indeed it says 236.15. My apologies on that.
So please tell us more about the history of the car and fluid changes.
At what mileage you switched to Amsoil and how many miles on the vehicle now? What was the interval length?

Amsoil
 

I have maintained 4 different SUV..163 and 164 chassis . Have put thousands of miles on the 4 vehicles … Do yourself a favor and try Amsoil the proper spec and see the difference . Any current 164’s have 160k miles and 125k miles both running amsoil from front to back in everything . Trannys since around 80k on both … I have maintained many MB’s since the 70’s

Your anecdotal experience sounds great. But referring to the manufacturer's own website isn't necessarily great research. What composition or manufacturing process makes Amsoil superior? I haven't found anything about that.

Amsoil
 

It sounds like you are definitely questioning my experience and background etc. I did not send any of the fluids to a lab like you would have preferred. My “anecdotal” experience is just my years of maintenance work on MB’s. Example on my 2006 ML500 all fluids were changed to Amsoil (both front and rear axles, motor, tranny and transfer case) mileage went up from 19.0 to over 21.0 mpg and stay there on freeway trips.
I am done with this post thanks and make sure you tell us your preferred fluids and please include all your lab work and testing .

No, I am not questioning your experience. You seem to have a hard time with anyone you perceive to other than wholeheartedly accept what you say without wanting more information. I didn't suggest you send anything to labs or do testing. I simply asked if you had the information, as your initial post was not simply a recommendation, but at least an implicit claim that Amsoil is defacto the only worthy ATM fluid. My recommendation simply said that many people on this site (who are also very experienced mechanics) recommend Pentosin. I didn't make any further claims about it, recognizing opinions are opinions.

Amsoil
 

You are absolutely correct that opinions are just that including all of yours. Your opinions of me are just that also.. read a few quotes of helpful info and you formed a very strong opinion of me.
Please in the future just skip over my thoughts and experiences.. don’t really have the time or energy to try and change your mind about anything .