mrathell

So I went to the parts dept at the MB dealership Friday to get a litre of tranny fluid to replace the fluid in my transfer case (2013 GL450). I was intent on purchasing ATF134 based on threads I read on here but the parts guy said I should use ATF134FE because what ever is used in the tranny can be used in the transfer case. True, not true?

It sounds correct to me.

I've also noticed that some (not all) of the online sites that sell German car specific parts/fluids also list ATF134FE as the fluid for transfer case on the X166.

Do you guys not use ATF134FE because you haven't seen any official MB guidance that says you can?

MBENZTECH

ATF134 goes into all transfer cases of the SUV's. But you can use the blue one, no issue there.

mrathell

I used ATF134FE (blue) and all is fine.

Sierra117

How often should one do this service?

mrathell

I do it every third oil change.

Sierra117

Do you order a kit online and have the mechanic do it or?

I've been wanting to do this for a while.

mrathell

Nope. It's much much too easy of a job to pay someone to do it. It is easier than doing an oil change. If it takes you longer than 15 minutes, you are doing it wrong

Seriously though, all you need is an allens wrench and purchase a bottle of ATF134 (red) or ATF134FE (blue) fluid from your local Benz dealership. There is a fill hole and a drain hole right on the transfer case. No need to jack up the car.

This is probably the easiest maintenance item on the car (well this and changing the front & rear differential fluids).

arsupisemnet

So many "experts" here
"ATF-134 is not the same as ATF-134 FE. Shell actually makes two fluids for that reason, 134 (meets MB spec 236.14) and 134 FE (meets MB spec 236.15). The 134 FE fluid is for the newer 722.9 transmissions produced after June 2010. It is blue in color and it is not backwards compatible"
Here you go original info https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...-bulletins.pdf

mrathell

Dude before being Mr smart @$$, you should read the doc you provided first. The doc YOU provided is for changing the TRANSMISSION fluid, NOT the transfer case fluid.
THIS thread is regarding changing the TRANSFER CASE fluid.

You do know the transfer case and the transmission are two completely different components in the car right?

I don't consider myself an expect, that's why I went to the Mercedes Benz dealership and asked the experts there. I think I will take there word. They said I could put either one in the transfer case, so if you have a problem with that, please take it up with them

ATF-134 has been in there since the last time Mercedes did work on my car and when I replaced it recently I used ATF-134FE. The car is running like a gem with 153,000 miles on her with the original transfer case......hmmmm


LOL....experts LOL

arsupisemnet

Now mister funny guy. Read that document once again and try to comprehend about compatibility between two fluids. "The two different types of oil cannot be mixed"
And yes i do know what is transfer case and what is a transmission. As a matter of fact i can rebuild either one of them, by the way i also rebuild engines as well just as a hobby.
Next time you consult MB technician keep in mind two things
1) At best they will do that WIS tells them to do
2) They keep their food on the table by fixing your broken car. For them doesn't matter if your transfer case go bye bye.
Anyway proper way of doing things will be looking into WIS info.

mikeolive

Newbie here so I accept any comment/criticism. I recently purchased my first Mercedes, a used 2015 GL350 Bluetec 4matic. Per Carfax records, it was well serviced over its prior 80,000 miles, but I’m not sure exactly what service was performed, i.e. did the transmission really get the 77,500 mile service. The maintenance manual doesn’t even mention the transfer case. I have set out to do a full service of all fluids including transfer case.

I think it’s clear that the A89 7-speed transmission uses the ATF-134FE (Blue) fluid and I have 8 liters on order.

But the correct transfer fluid is ambiguous. Through the various forums and vendors, I see inconsistent recommendations. Through Google searches, I came across the Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids (MB BeVo-online). Using this source, the Sheet 236.15 specification applicable to my vehicle confirms the use of 134FE (Blue) fluid for my transmission. Interesting, the title of Sheet 236.15 is “Automatic transmission fluids (ATF, Transfer/automatic)” and may imply that this is the spec for the transfer case as well. However, this specification also states in bold, “Application in vehicles/major assemblies refer to Sheet 231.1”.

Going to Sheet 231.1, it again confirms Sheet 236.15 for the 7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 with code A89. However, for the Transfer case (4MATIC), model 164, 166, and several others, the applicable Sheet is 236.12. Sheet 236.12 lists only two approved fluids for the transfer case, neither of which are a ATF-134 (RED) or ATF-134FE (Blue). There may be acceptable substitutes, but the two MB approved fluids are: MB 236.12 ATF 3353 A 001 989 45 03- and Fuchs Titan ATF 3353. I don’t know what color these fluids are, but I bet they are red. I’m planning to order some Fuchs Titan ATF 3353 for the transfer case.

I would attach these spec sheets but I don’t think newbie are allowed. Comments welcome.

Mike

mrtoofay

Transfer case is red, If you are unsure, just buy two quarts of each. It should use a little over 1 quart. Have a work light shine on the drain plug as you drain to see the color of the fluid. If red, add red, if blue, add blue. Return the unused bottles afterwards. Or in case the transfer case is red (which it will be) then save the blue for the next transmission fluid change. If you are having an indie doing it, stand next to him to make sure what drains out.

You can never complete drain out the fluid, so, you'll always be mixing some old fluid with the new. That's why blank statements about just adding blue fluid to transfer case is not wise. I have dealer service advisors and local indies telling me it's ok to add 10w40 mobil one to my GL350 bluetec. They really don't know as much as you think.

While you are doing the transfer case, don't forget to do the differentials as well. They are often forgotten and super easy to do.

mrathell

Even if you want to re-purpose that bulletin to refer to transfer cases (and it doesn't), the bulletin itself even makes the statement that a transmission and/or torque converter may be delivered with trace amounts of ATF-134FE in them but after installation of the part the user will need to use the fluid appropriate for their vehicle/part that may not be ATF-134FE. It even warns NOT to try and clean the part prior to using a different fluid type. So apparently some degree of fluid mixing is allowable based on the bulletin you provided.

I'm definitely not trying to tell people what to use in their car because that's their decision but the bulletin that doesn't have anything to do with transfer cases, appears to be more trying to tell people not to mix fluids (30% of one type and 70% of another) opposed to mixing it with the residue of a prior fluid type (99% new of one type and 1% old of another). That is why the bulletin you provide only refers to the transmission and torque converter because when changing your tranny fluid you will never be able to drain all of the fluid from the tranny and torque converter. There will still be a significant amount of the old fluid in there. The transfer case is different, simple gravity will drain most of the fluid out.

I've owned three GL's (two gl450's & a GL550). My 2009 GL450 had 225K miles before selling it, the 2011 GL550 had over 300K miles before selling it and the current 2013 GL450 has about 153K miles. All had their original transfer cases and differentials and I mixed fluids types on multiple occasions with no adverse affects. These are real world experiences, not someones re-purposing of a bulletin and subjective opinions.

With that said, I've read threads of people who were religious about their maintenance and only did things by the (WIS) book but still ended up with major problems.

So in the end, its your car, do what you want and please please take the advice of your MB tech any day over us knuckleheads on a internet forum because my success or others success may not equate to success for you whether it's by-the-book or not.

Forrest Gump 9

Damn, and all this time I’m running redline 75w-90

oh well, 120k and still hauling ***

v6pwr

If one is trying to be safe and want to stick with what's already in there, wouldn't it be ok to loosen the fill plug, get a Qtip and dip it in to see which color fluid is in there and get that type?

I already bought the blue fluid to do the transmission, but I'll probably check what color is in the transfer case and get the same one that's in there.

For the differentials, which fluid are y'all using?

mikeolive

The specified front and rear differential oil is 75W-85. I plan to do a fluid change soon and have purchased Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube. Not exactly per spec but the Mobile 1 was readily available without a trip to the dealer or special order.