722.9 A89 transmission in 2015 ML350 vs. 2016 GLE 350
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2015 ML350
722.9 A89 transmission in 2015 ML350 vs. 2016 GLE 350
I own a 2015 ML350 bought used off a lease. Maintenance manual says change transmission fluid at 77.5k miles. Did a little research and previous version of 722.9 transmission (without code A89) had a recommended fluid change at 39k miles. It looks like Mercedes upgraded the 722.9 transmission and the transmission fluid for the code A89 722.9 transmissions.
But then I did a little more research and the 2016 GLE 350, which I believe has the same naturally aspirated 3.5L v6 engine and the same 722.9 code A89 transmission, as the 2015 ML350, has recommended transmission service at 60k miles. The 2016 GLE 350 and 2015 ML 350 are basically the same car. The 2016 GLE 350 has slightly altered headlights, grill, taillights and larger COMMAND screen. The differences are cosmetic, and the engine and drivetrain are the same, even the weight of the cars is the same.
So why did Mercedes do such a drastic change to the service interval of the 722.9 code A89 transmission, from 77.5k on the 2015 ML350 to 60k on the 2016 GLE 350, on nearly identical cars? Did they conclude that 77.5k service interval is too long, so they shortened it to 60k for subsequent model years? Anyone got info or know the answer?
But then I did a little more research and the 2016 GLE 350, which I believe has the same naturally aspirated 3.5L v6 engine and the same 722.9 code A89 transmission, as the 2015 ML350, has recommended transmission service at 60k miles. The 2016 GLE 350 and 2015 ML 350 are basically the same car. The 2016 GLE 350 has slightly altered headlights, grill, taillights and larger COMMAND screen. The differences are cosmetic, and the engine and drivetrain are the same, even the weight of the cars is the same.
So why did Mercedes do such a drastic change to the service interval of the 722.9 code A89 transmission, from 77.5k on the 2015 ML350 to 60k on the 2016 GLE 350, on nearly identical cars? Did they conclude that 77.5k service interval is too long, so they shortened it to 60k for subsequent model years? Anyone got info or know the answer?
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2015 ML350
FCPEuro blog post
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/mercedes-be...-modifications
FCPEuro recommends 722.9 7gtronic plus (latest version of 7 speed) get serviced every 77,000 miles and upgrade to 235.17 9gtronic transmission fluid, which was developed for the 9 speed transmission.
FCPEuro is obsoleting 235.15 fluid, and back spacing 235.17 fluid for thr 7gtronic plus transmission.
FCPEuro recommends 722.9 7gtronic plus (latest version of 7 speed) get serviced every 77,000 miles and upgrade to 235.17 9gtronic transmission fluid, which was developed for the 9 speed transmission.
FCPEuro is obsoleting 235.15 fluid, and back spacing 235.17 fluid for thr 7gtronic plus transmission.
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Three MB's: GLK, ML & E - Class with Panam Grill
Always heard that the transfer case are connected to the transmission and Transmission oil change would change the oil in the transfer case. just heard from the dealer that my 2015 ML-350 has a separate transfer case that get its own sperate fluid that needs a separate oil change that a transmission service doesn't cover ..is this really true??? is this a way to get people miss a transfer case fluid change?
Out Of Control!!
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Always heard that the transfer case are connected to the transmission and Transmission oil change would change the oil in the transfer case. just heard from the dealer that my 2015 ML-350 has a separate transfer case that get its own sperate fluid that needs a separate oil change that a transmission service doesn't cover ..is this really true??? is this a way to get people miss a transfer case fluid change?
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central Florida
'15 C400 and '15 ML350
I have noticed the same interval confusion on my w205. Depending on the year they say different things.
FWIW I changed my 2015 ML350 fluid at 80k and the fluid was still in good visual shape. not abnormal amount of metal on the magnet and no shifting issues. I bought the car with 36k so its possible the dealer did a service then making it CPO but I doubt it.
I noticed a slight improvement in shift smoothness after the change. I only did the 4-5qts in the pan, no flush.
FWIW I changed my 2015 ML350 fluid at 80k and the fluid was still in good visual shape. not abnormal amount of metal on the magnet and no shifting issues. I bought the car with 36k so its possible the dealer did a service then making it CPO but I doubt it.
I noticed a slight improvement in shift smoothness after the change. I only did the 4-5qts in the pan, no flush.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
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2015 ML350
Always heard that the transfer case are connected to the transmission and Transmission oil change would change the oil in the transfer case. just heard from the dealer that my 2015 ML-350 has a separate transfer case that get its own sperate fluid that needs a separate oil change that a transmission service doesn't cover ..is this really true??? is this a way to get people miss a transfer case fluid change?
There's separate transfer case which uses 236.14 red fluid for 4 matic.
There is no separate transfer case fluid for 2RWD, just have to change transmission fluid.
Was wondering did anyone use 235.17 fluid on 7 speed transmisson?
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Three MB's: GLK, ML & E - Class with Panam Grill
Thanks to all. its confirmed that the 215 ML 350 4 MATIC has a separate transfer case to change seperate from the transmission service at 60K. Good luck for all not to miss both services at this interval as I get burned with the 2010 GLK 350 fiasco that required a 39K Transmission service that lots of people missed and ended up with a complete transmission overhaul between 50-60K...what a nightmare that was....
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,695
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Thanks to all. its confirmed that the 215 ML 350 4 MATIC has a separate transfer case to change seperate from the transmission service at 60K. Good luck for all not to miss both services at this interval as I get burned with the 2010 GLK 350 fiasco that required a 39K Transmission service that lots of people missed and ended up with a complete transmission overhaul between 50-60K...what a nightmare that was....
Does anyone have MB documentation for an ML W166 that states otherwise?
Last edited by chassis; Apr 24, 2021 at 04:30 PM.
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Mercedes 2013 E350 4matic, 2013 ML350
W166 4Matic with 722.9 transmission is much better than E350/C300/GLK350 4Matic because it had separate transfer case using chain and separate fluid than transmission. It also had bigger front transfer shaft and front differential. I had E350 2013 4MATIC at 120K front transfer shaft broke close to front differential and broke catalytic converter and oxygen sensor cost $2500 to fix. At 175k got problem in transfer case in hidden u joint in transfer case and for MB that mean replaced transmission at $8k because it part of transmission even it can fix separately and had WIS on how to do it. See in youtube many post about broke front shaft for C300/E350/GLK350 4matic. For w166 4matic the chain in transfer case become protection for transmission and to fix it very easy no need to touch or take off transmission at all only replace chain maybe around 100K. So now if I need 4matic I will choose w166 not w212 4matic because later could cost a lot to maintain transmission/transfer case or front differential or front drive shaft.
Does anyone had w166 4matic ever had problem related to transfer case or front differential?
Does anyone had w166 4matic ever had problem related to transfer case or front differential?
