I would like to change differential fluid (front and rear) and transfer case fluid.
The manual didn't specify gear oils. Does anyone know which fluid I should use?

 

Rear axle: 235.61 --> need VIN to confirm LSD or open differential
Front axle: 239.72 --> buy at the dealer MB 239.71/239.72 Hypoidgetriebeöl A 001 989 88 03-
Transfer case (without Torque-on-Demand): 236.12 --> need VIN to confirm 4MATIC option

Please post your VIN or build sheet to confirm transfer case/4MATIC option.

Buy these fluids at the dealer. Expect the parts guy to have no clue, plan on spending an hour standing at the parts counter (get a coffee if the machine isn't down and a granola bar if the receptionist didn't forget them) while the guy fiddles with the computer and calls three other dealers, then talks with his manager. I share this based on experience. MB dealers (clown shows) are functionally incompetent.

https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/231.1

 

Thank you for the info. Vin : 4JGFF8GE2LA180956
I really don't want to buy from the dealer. Always, overpriced. Please help me out for the list of fluids

 

You have engine 176, not 177. This means rear axle with open differential therefore rear axle fluid 239.71.

You have 4MATIC therefore transfer case fluid 236.12.

Buy from the dealer. It's expensive and overpriced. It doesn't matter, because you bought an expensive German luxury car and prepared yourself for an expensive ownership experience.

From mb.vin:

4JGFF8GE2LA180956
Identification 4JG1679861A180956
Model GLS 580 4MATIC GLS
Order 0070633281
Engine 17698030086707
Transmission 72503503092512
Color Iridium silver - Metallic finish (775)
Interior Leather - Brown (204)
Production 6481279
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz US International Inc (USA)
Delivery Date 2020-01-18

Options
01U Mercedes-Benz Connect - Services for navigation
02J Invalid changeover of world manufacturer to Mercedes-Benz AG (ASF)
085 World manufacturer conversion to Mercedes-Benz AG
08U Mercedes-Benz Connect - Services for Vehicle Setup (HERMES)
09U Mercedes-Benz Connect - Vehicle Monitoring (HERMES)
12B Operating instructions and service booklet-English USA/CAN
12U Mercedes-Benz Connect - Services for Mercedes me Concierge Service (HERMES)
14U Smartphone integration package
15U Pre-installation for MB-Link smartphone integration
16U Apple Carplay smartphone integration
17U Android Auto smartphone integration
1A4
1B4 Communication module, North America version
200A Leather
204A Leather - Brown
215 Adaptive damping system plus (ADS+)
21A
224 Individual rear seats
232 Garage door opener with frequency 284 - 390 MHz
233 Adaptive cruise control Plus (DISTRONIC PLUS)
235 Active Parking Assist
23U Active Stop-and-Go Assist
242 Right electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory
249 Automatic dimming inside rearview mirror and outside mirrors
264 Licence plate for America
266 DISTRONIC PLUS transverse support (DTR+Q)
26U Mercedes-Benz Connect - Remote engine start (HERMES)
270 GPS aerial
273 Exit warning assistant
275 Memory Package (driver's seat, steering column and mirrors)
292 PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side
293 Sidebags in rear
294 Kneebag
297 Electric roller sun blind in left and right rear door
2A1
311 Temperature-controlled cup holder
342B Language of instrument cluster/HU - American
351 Ecall emergency call system
355 Preinstallation for retrofitting navigation system
362 HERMES communications module LTE
365 Hard drive navigation
367 Live Traffic capability
399 Front multicontour seat with massage function
3U7 HU country set for North America
401 Climatised front seats
413 Automatic panoramic sliding sunroof
421 9-speed automatic transmission
436 Driver and front passenger luxury head restraint
443 Heated steering wheel
44V Speed/load index 107H + 111H
461 Instrument with miles display + Engl. lettering
463 Front visual display (head-up display)
475 Tire pressure monitor (TPM)
489 AIRMATIC DC / semi-active air suspension
494 US version
4A7
500 Electrically folding exterior mirrors
501 360° camera
502 Multi-year free map updates
513 Road sign recognition system
517 Digital radio standard, HD (High-Definition)
536 Sirius satellite radio complete system
543 Sun visor with additional function
546 Automatic speed control
549 Connect 20 High (NTG6)
551 Standard anti-theft alarm system (ATA)
581 Automatic climate control
582 Air conditioning, rear
587 Logo projection via mirror
58U Headliner, gray fabric
5A1
608 Automatic high beam control (IHC)
636 Omission - warning triangle
640 SAE dynamic LED headlamps, right-side traffic
666 Product protection for shipment veh. without transport eyelets
690 Emergency spare wheel (minispare)
6A5
6P5 Sales control code for code 475 request
705L United States (USA)
723 Load compartment cover
72B USB package
763 Radio remote control with panic switch (315 Mhz)
772 AMG styling - Front spoiler, side skirts
775U Iridium silver - Metallic finish
77B Contactless gesture control at front
7A1
7A6
7B2 Flared wheel arch (cladding) size L
7XXL North and South America
800 YoM X9/1
810 Premium sound system
840 Glas dunkel getönt
845 Electric folding 3rd seat row
846 Running board in aluminum look with rubber naps
866 Pre-installation for Rear Seat Entertainment System
868 Central display size L
871 Sensor system for trunk lid opening/closing
872 Left and right rear seat heating
874 Magic Vision Control incl. heated windshield washer system
876 Interior lighting package
883 Power locking
889 KEYLESS-GO
890 Automatic rear-end door
897 Front wireless telephone charging
8U6 Assistance system steering wheel control changeover
901 Interior Chrome Package
902 Front comfort seat heating
915 Fuel tank with increased capacity volume 2
93B Integrated starter alternator Gen. 1
986 Different VIN with model year
989 Identification label under windshield
99B Active adjustment damping "Normally Open"
9U5 Control code, wheel diameter, medium (size 790)
A035
A104
B01 48V technology
B12 Tyre-change tool kit
B16 Tailpipe trim of exhaust system
D11
D25
D26
DA2
F167 Model series 167
FX Special version
G031
GA Automatic transmission
H46 Trim elements - Bluish Aluminum Shine (2B93)
HA Rear axle
K15 Control code for service interval 15000 km
K26 Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
K27 Software control for unpowered in position "D"
K31 Noise regulations as per ECE R51-03
K32 Active Lane Change Assist
K33 Extended restart in stop-and-go traffic
K34 Route-based speed adaptation
L Left-hand drive
L3B Sport steering wheel - Leather
M176 V8 spark-ignition engine M176
M40 Displacement 4.0 liter
O16 Software fresh-up 3
P17 KEYLESS-GO package
P20 Driving assistant package Plus
P31 Exterior AMG Line / exterior AMG sport package
P47 Parking Package High
P49 Mirror package
P64 Front memory package
PZX Control code for Sales
R02 All season tyres
RWF AMG double-spoke wheels 21" "mixed tires"
SAB No rating for country set
U09 Leather-clad instrument panel and beltline (embossed imit.)
U10 Front passenger seat with weight sensor
U19 Augmented reality video
U26 Floor mats - AMG
U80 115 V socket
VL Left front axle half
VR Right front axle half

 

Thank you for the info
Can you find transmission fluid as well?

 

Transmission 725 in your car uses fluid spec 236.17.

 

What is the service interval for the transfer case and diffs? The dealer is telling me 40k. The only Mercedes publication I can find is from 2017 and states 60k in some cases. I have also seen reference to it being a "lifetime" fluid.

 

It's not lifetime. Not sure if MB has reduced the service interval from 60k miles on 166 with the traditional chain-sprocket type t/case. 167 t/cases are of the modern type with gears and controllable plate clutches, no chain.

Porsche on the current Cayenne has a 40k mile oil change interval on the so-called "transfer gear", which is the north-south plate-type torque coupling. Because 167 has a plate clutch-type transfer case, a shorter (40k miles) interval makes sense.

 

Same for the diffs?

 

We did all of this at 60k on ours, all fluids and plugs. I recall none being beyond their service period at that point, and the most stress ours has seen is driving across a lawn. I do believe the plugs are due at 60k, which surprised me a bit. You will save a boat load if you go Indi on this service too. Paid roughly $2,500 for every drop of fluid, filter, spark plug to be replaced in ours, all with genuine MB parts/fluids/filters.

 

40K miles driven. I just changed front, rear differential fluids, transfer case fluid, and transmission pan and fluid.
$42 : Motul Motyl Gear SAE 75W85 3 Liters for (front, rear differential)
$11 : Motul ATF VI 105774 1 litter
$50 : Liqui Moly TOP TEC ATF 1950 (5 liter)
$127 : Trans Pan OEM
$20 : transmission adapter tool
Total : $250

 

Diff, aka axle, fluid is not lifetime. Typically axle fluid has a longer life than transmission or t/case fluid, for standard non-limited-slip differentials. Standard axles do not have wet clutch plates, unlike transmissions and modern plate-type t/cases.

AMG and/or limited slip differentials can be hard on oil, depending on driving habits. The reason is wet clutch plates which wear and create tremendous heat.

I change all fluids before 100k miles, axle oil included. Few if any manufacturers these days call for axle fluid change. Some state that transmissions are "sealed for life" which is rubbish. Anything that uses oil for lubrication or cooling needs periodic oil changes.

Interesting that Honda for late model CR-Vs (daughter's car) has oil change intervals spelled out for all components in the car that use oil. Honda imo is the manufacturer that delivers the best consumer total cost of ownership experience. Parts support from the factory, through distributors and dealers is excellent. Hondas are clearly not as exciting as German luxury or performance cars, but they deliver a far more reliable and predictable ownership experience.

 

I stumbled on this thread trying to figure out what transfer case fluid to use on my GLE450. I've looked through the MB Operating Fluid website and purchased a XENTRY WIS subscription, but they appear to contradict each other. I've determined that the approval is either 236.15/236.17 or 239.41 and send an email to MB, to which I am awaiting a response. The MB Operating Fluids website states that that the correct fluid for my vehicle's transfer case is either 236.15 or 236.17 (for Model 167 with transmission 725.0), and specifically states that 239.41 is for Model 167 "without Torque-on-Demand (4MATIC)." XENTRY WIS (BB00.40-P-0239-41A), on the other hand, states the opposite - that 239.41 is for Model 167 "with torque-on-demand transfer case." Having researched what type of 4MATIC versions are in the 167, I've determined that the GLE450 has the "Torque-on-Demand" type, whereas the GLE350 has the non-TOD 4MATIC.

While I wait for MB's response, which they will hopefully provide, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts/opinions.

 

Heard back from Mercedes-Benz today and they advised to ignore the "Operating Fluids" information and follow WIS, which indicates to use MB sheet 239.41.

 

Dealers have questionable credibility. Something to consider.

 

I did not ask a dealer. I contacted Mercedes-Benz AG through the Operating Fluids website and received a response directly from Germany.

 

There are variants of the transfer case within models and after much research, I found the conflict within Mercedes' own literature (WIS vs. Operating Fluids) for the W167. With different transmission fluid approvals, it was important to me to make sure I used precisely what is specified for my vehicle.

 

Hi CHASSIS,

I need yours help, please help me to figure out what fluid to use for front differential, rear differential, Transfer Case...
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic
VIN: 4JGFF5KE5LA176678

Thank you,
Sam.

 

Hi CHASSIS,

I need yours help, please help me to figure out what fluid to use for front differential, rear differential, Transfer Case...
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic
VIN: 4JGFF5KE5LA176678

Thank you,
Sam.

 

Referring to operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com:

Rear axle 75W-85, spec 235.7 or 239.71 with light alloy housing
Front axle 75W-85, spec 239.72
Transfer case spec 236.12 --> I used 236.14 on a W166 and comments can be found on the internet that .14 is backwards compatible with .12.

Buy all of these oils from the dealer. Dealers are generally clueless, or pretend to be, about drivetrain oils. The parts counter guys at the dealer I bought these oils from fumbled around on their computer then walked "in back" to ask a number of people about which were the correct fluids.

Click on the DIY link in my signature for approximate quantities. 167 quantities and/or WIS should be listed on this site somewhere.

Drivetrain oil drain and refill is easy work. Access to drain and fill plugs can be tricky, be sure to check this before starting the project.

Most important step with drivetrain oil replacement: be sure you can open the fill plug, before draining the old oil. If the fill plug is stuck and you have drained the old oil, you will be in a pickle.

 

Thank you for quick respond!
Planning to do this job on weekend,

Also can you decode my VIN # 4JGFF5KE5LA176678 in the nice format like you did on beginning of this thread?

 

Look here: https://mb.vin/vin/590edf27120770679eed84e446e20a39/

 

Thank y
Now I am focused on Automatic Transmission service and have hard time to found at wat temperature to check ATF level.?
My MB i believe: X167 with Mercedes Benz 9 speed transmission
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 4Matic
VIN: 4JGFF5KE5LA176678

Thank you,
Sam.

 

I would have the dealer or Indy do this job.

If you want to diy there aren’t many 9G videos around but there are a couple of them.

I think there is a GLC 9G trans oil diy video on YouTube. 9G is 9G, doesn’t matter the car if it is not an AMG MCT or whatever marketing name is used.

This is a more recent video and the guy does a good job early in the video explaining the multi-position drain plug/standpipe.


Another good one, I think this a MB tech training video.

 

@chassis - Would you be able to let me know the fluid specs for my 2022 GLE 450 4MATIC (4JGFB5KB1NA70349)?

I'm guessing it's going to be the same or similar to the one you provided here:

i'm just unsure if my transfer case has Torque-on-Demand and if my rear axle is LSD or open differential. I have the datacard for my vehicle, but I don't see any mention of these things.

Thanks!