differential fluid replacement schedule




Not a cheap service as the auto filter is part of the auto casing and that part needs replacing along with new bolts. So 5 years or 125,000km, whichever comes first. We have a 9 speed box and 4Matic.
If you plan to own the vehicle to high mileage, replace the oil per MBAG’s schedule. Where no schedule is provided (axles), change the oil before 100k miles. Expect dealers to have no clue which axle oil should be used, because MB doesn’t specify changing it. Use the bevo site, WIS and this forum to select the oil.








I hope this helps you.
Cheers




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No damage to vehicle, so I guess all parts replaced are part of the normal requirement.
I might buy the part next time and save 10-15% trade from spares and have service dept fit it during service. Savings all add up as normally no parts discount if Service Dept invoice me as part of service. I did same with brakes and discs and saved close to $500 or 20%.
Again you need to provide your veh VIN to ensure all parts supplied are correct for your build state if you go down that path.
Get approx quote first from Dealer for this work.
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Rear and front differential must use the same oil. 253.15 /235 7 spec 75w85. I used Redline 75w85 gear oil. But most synthetic 75w90 are also useful.
Rear diff. Drained 800ml. At 120k km odo.
Not bad.
Easy to refill thru the side fill plug.
Front diff. Drained 500ml. At 200k km odo.
Not bad. Red wine color. I could go 300k km easy.
The side fill plug has no room for 14mm hex socket space. The top black cap was not easy for filling. So i used Mytyvac to pump 550ml oil to the drain plug hole thru a plastic fitting and silicone plumber tape, then quickly replace the drain plug with some spill.
I believe most owners can call them lifetime oil.
or
replace at around 300k km(200k miles) if you drive a lot or you are bored.
Last edited by sn202020; Apr 7, 2023 at 04:26 AM.
But still I don't want to replace T.C. gear oil utill I drive more than 300K km, because i saw the rear and front diff. gear oil condition that was not bad at 200K km oil replacement.
Last edited by sn202020; Apr 7, 2023 at 04:52 AM.
Document AR33.25-P-0300-01LWX Drain/pour in front axle gear oil
referencing the sheet BB00.40-P-0235-07A which is
MB 235.7/ 235.74 FE-Hypoidgetriebeöl
001 989 33 03 12
75W-85
Document
AR35.31-P-0523LW Drain/fill rear axle gear oil
referencing the sheet BB00.40-P-0239-71A which is MB 239.71 hypoid gear oil
A 001 989 88 03
75W-85
Transfer case uses MB 235.15 spec document BB00.40-P-0235-15A
I have all docs attached. I might missing something, please let me know.
Document AR33.25-P-0300-01LWX Drain/pour in front axle gear oil
referencing the sheet BB00.40-P-0235-07A which is
MB 235.7/ 235.74 FE-Hypoidgetriebeöl
001 989 33 03 12
75W-85
Document
AR35.31-P-0523LW Drain/fill rear axle gear oil
referencing the sheet BB00.40-P-0239-71A which is MB 239.71 hypoid gear oil
A 001 989 88 03
75W-85
Transfer case uses MB 235.15 spec document BB00.40-P-0235-15A
I have all docs attached. I might missing something, please let me know.
but the Redline gear oil has all the MB specs.
https://www.redlineoil.com/75w85-gl-5-gear-oil
click tab of OEM Compatible. then see.
MB 235.15
MB 235.62
MB 235.7
MB 235.74
MB 239.71
MB 239.72
MB A 000 989 73 04
MB A 000 989 88 03
MB A 001 989 59 03
MB A 0012 989 33 03
MB A 002 989 02 03
Front Dif/ Rear Diff/ Transfer Case.
Also I read 75W85 is mainly for the mileage efficiency of the old 75W90.
So i won't hesitate to put generic 75W90 synthetic instead of 75W85.
Anyway, you can still buy all the different OEM bottles from the MB dealership,
but I am a cheap guy, I do not waste money for the MB OEM oils.
but the Redline gear oil has all the MB specs.
https://www.redlineoil.com/75w85-gl-5-gear-oil
click tab of OEM Compatible. then see.
MB 235.15
MB 235.62
MB 235.7
MB 235.74
MB 239.71
MB 239.72
MB A 000 989 73 04
MB A 000 989 88 03
MB A 001 989 59 03
MB A 0012 989 33 03
MB A 002 989 02 03
Front Dif/ Rear Diff/ Transfer Case.
Also I read 75W85 is mainly for the mileage efficiency of the old 75W90.
So i won't hesitate to put generic 75W90 synthetic instead of 75W85.
Anyway, you can still buy all the different OEM bottles from the MB dealership,
but I am a cheap guy, I do not waste money for the MB OEM oils.
Ravenol, Liqui Moly, Pennzoil and Castrol are my preferences (and what is on sale)
Get this, now I found another document BB00.40-P-0231-01A in which MB recommends to use
Rear Diff spec 239.71 and Front Diff Spec 239.72 (75W-85) for Model 253 (2016 - 2019)
So Redline should work just fine, thank you for the link.
Still don't know why different specs in all documents, very confusing.




Still don't know why different specs in all documents, very confusing.[/QUOTE]
I believe that the change in the front diff oil spec was driven by wearing components in the front diffs between 2006 and approx 2010. Many W164s had this problem which is expensive to repair and the updated spec was part of the solution.
see this post for more https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ilure-fix.html
Last edited by BlackML550; Apr 20, 2023 at 07:53 AM.
TC has similar concept as trany, there is a little tube you have to pull in order to drain the fluid, and use pump to get oil up in the case. Could be easier but not bad. Diffs are simple, except front I couldn't get H14 with socket, had to kick out the bit and user it without socket using wrench.
Old fluids:
Transfer Case

Rear diff

Front diff

In TC and rear used Ravenol, simply because I had 2L of it and it meets the spec

Front diff, one dealer told me to use MB 235.7/ 235.74 another 239.72.
I would use Ravenol as it has almost all specs, but 239.72 but has 239.72
So I used Red Line as it covers them all.
Ravenol stinks so bad vs Red line ))
Alternatively, this guy shows you how to do it with FCP Euro parts at 21:55 in this video. If I had a lift like he does, I'd probably do more of this stuff myself as well

Take care
Joel
Alternatively, this guy shows you how to do it with FCP Euro parts at 21:55 in this video. If I had a lift like he does, I'd probably do more of this stuff myself as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TtYJuJDbks
Take care
Joel
Last edited by DanD.; Dec 5, 2023 at 12:45 PM.



What is "1"?
That is the TC overflow plug (1) . However MB instruction document says refill thru the drain plug (2) like this YouTube
But when I did my TC job, I drained 150ml by drain (2), then I pulled out the plastic level pipe inside of (2), then it drained another 500ml. So total 650ml drained, which was the same new oil amount I refilled thru the overflow plug(1) instead of (2)
Last edited by sn202020; Oct 6, 2025 at 05:38 AM.









