Lioninstreet

I finally made the time to transfer this info over from originally posting it on "the other" merc forum back in 3/2018. This post is about a 5 minute read and has quite a bit of research in it. So if your thirsty, go grab a beer.

My '12 R350 (gas) P2 is about 2 months old (to me). With just over 100k (EDIT 9/19 : now 20 months and 113k) on the clock, it was prolly a CPO trade just after the CPO warranty ended. Not knowing how well this two owner R-class was kept, it seemed like a good idea to start fresh with everything fluid, lube, spark plug, and filter related.

What kicked me in this direction was that my power steering pump was whining a bit when the car rolled off of the car carrier (I had it shipped to me in Florida from Manheim Auctions in Little Rock). It just needed to be topped off with about 1/4 bottle, no signs of leaks, just a bit low after 100k. Maybe the MB techs ignored PS fluid during standard services? (Naa, that would never happen...). I was then greeted with the harsh reality that a liter of the MB power steering fluid is $24 at my local stealership (turns out the BeVo compatible fluid is about 8$).

I saved $800 to $1k over OE on all this stuff on my SLK55 (believe it or not), so I started by looking on-line for a consolidation of the w251 BeVo fluid specs and capacities. What little I found had some contradictions with a few personal opinions peppered in. So I started to put this list together for myself using EPC.

Unfortunately, after a lot of cross-referencing, only about 20% of what's shown as compatible with the Merc branded chemicals in BeVo is distributed in North America. So to make it easier, I've included the stateside approved product brands and products I found and where I was able to source it. The other data (remaining models, etc.) I dropped in for the rest for y'all to reference.

Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids: Engine Oil, Gear Oil, ATF, Coolant, Brakefluid

2011-2012 R350 m276.958 3.5L:
Engine Oil: 7.9 qt / 229.5 / Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 / RM European
Spark Plugs: Bosch ZR6Sii3320 / Commonly available on line
Coolant: 10.0 qt / 9.5l - 326.0 & 326.6 both approved / Motorex Coolant G48 / Amazon

2006-2010 R350 m272.967 3.5L E35:
Engine oil: 8.5 US qt / (8.0l), 229.5 / Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 / RM European
Spark Plugs '06-'07: NGK PLKR6A / Commonly available on line
Spark Plugs: '08-'10 Bosch Y7MPP33
Coolant: 10.0 qt / 9.5l - 325.0 & 325.6 both approved / MB 000 989 (01 or 08 or 09) 25 / Zerex G-48 / NAPA

2006-2007 R500 m113.971 5.0L:
Engine Oil: 9.0 US qt / (8.5L), 229.5 / Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 / RM European
Spark Plugs: NGK PFR 5R-11 / Commonly available on line
Coolant: 11.1 US qt / (10.5 l) - 325.0 & 325.6 both approved / MB 000 989 (01 or 08 or 09) 25 / Zerex G-48 / NAPA

2008 R550 m273.963 E55 5.5L:
Engine Oil: 9.5 US qt / (9.0L), 229.5 / Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 / RM European
Spark Plugs: NGK PLKR7A / Commonly available on line
Coolant: 12.7 US qt / (12L) - 325.0 & 325.6 both approved / MB 000 989 (01 or 08 or 09) 25 / Zerex G-48 / NAPA

2007 R63 m156.980 6.2L:
Engine Oil: 10.1 US qt / (9.6L), 229.5 / Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 / RM European
Spark Plugs: NGK T20035N / Commonly available on line
Coolant: 12.2 US qt / 12l - 325.0 & 325.6 both approved / MB 000 989 (01 or 08 or 09) 25 / Zerex G-48 / NAPA

2007-2012 R-Class Diesel om642.xxx 3.0l:
Engine Oil: '07 9.5 US qt / (9.0L) - '08-'12 9.0 US qt / (8.5l) - 229.51 / Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 / Walmart
Coolant: 10.0 qt / 9.5l - 325.0 & 325.6 both approved / MB 000 989 (01 or 08 or 09) 25 / Zerex G-48 / NAPA
AdBlue: 7.3 US gal / (27.5L) / All Diesel Exhaust Fluid DEF that are ISO 22241 approved cross over

All R-Class 722.9 Seven Speed Transmission ATF Fluids (this gets a little tricky):
ATF Fluid: 722.9 all pre August 2010* 9.5 US qt / (9.0L), 236.12 / MB 001 989 45 03 13 (now superseded by 236.14)* / MB 001 45 68 03 / Shell ATF134 / Amazon
ATF Fluid: 722.9 post August 2010* 9.5 qt / 236.15 ATF 134FE / MB 001 99 77 03 or 001 99 78 03 / most BeVo approved brands available on line / (ATF 134FE now superseded by 236.7 ATF D971)* MB 002 989 06 03 / Ravenol ATF M9-G Serie / Blauparts.com

* see below & attached TSB's and photos to see which transmission you have for certain

All R Class Models:
Diff Fluid Front: 1.2 US qt / (1.1L) 235.7 / MB A 001 989 33 03 / Fuchs Titan Sintopoid FE75w-85 API-GL5 - RM European
Diff Fluid Rear: 1.2 US qt / (1.1L) 235.7 / MB A 001 989 33 03 / Fuchs Titan Sintopoid FE75w-85 API-GL5 - RM European
Transfer Case Fluid: .53 USA qt / (.5L) / 236.12 MB A001 989 45 03 13 / Fuchs Titan ATF 3353 - RM European
Brake Fluid: .85 US qt / (0.8 L) 331.0 / 000 989 08 07 (approved DOT4 plus) / No Approved alternate fluids shown
Windshield Washer Fluid: 8.0 US qt / (7.6L) MB SummerFit A001 98680 71 10 @ 100-1
PS Fluid: 1.3 US qt / (1.2L) 236.3* / 000 989 88 03 replaced by Q 1 46 0001 (approved Dextron III ATF)

* See notes below

Filters:
This one isn't rocket science. If your an OEM only vendor kind of person, Hengst and Mann/Hummel are the primary suppliers Mercedes filters (including fleece) and you can easily find them aftermarket on-line.

But there is one filter for the Airmatic suspension compressor that many overlook when servicing. And it isn't sold separately on the R, ML, or GL class. You can spend $250 retail to get it (and get some peripheral hoses and brackets along with it). Or you can use the $10 cross over below.

Considering how much road dirt ends up under a car where this filter is located (under the car) and how much an Airmatic compressor costs, I would change it every 20k-30k. With so many Airmatic pumps failing between 60k and 100k, it's interesting that this filter is not sold separately by Merc or even mentioned in the owner's manuals .maintenance/service list...

Airmatic Compressor Filter assembly: MB 251 320 00 69 / filter only: Mann WK32/7 / Commonly available on-line $10

Pano-Roof / Sun Roof:
While I'm at it, I'm also doing a full clean out and re-lubrication on the Pano Roof too (WIS instruction sheet attached). This is also a neglected maintenance item and failures are quite expensive on this one too...

First the grease. Merc calls this stuff Gleitpaste (001 989 14 51, now superseded by 001 989 46 51) complex grease (NLGI Class 2). This specially formulated and only sold by Merc in large $95 500g tubs. The Mercedes product MSDS shows it as a blend of mineral oil, synthetic hydrocarbon oil, and special lithium soap as a thickening agent. I've found a few companies like ECS Tuning selling smaller quantities of Gleitpaste for about $12. So there is really no need to research a comparable substitute.

Second is the little 1 oz bottle of pano-roof oil (A001 989 50 51, now superseded to A 000 989 36 60) that lists out at $65. It is called special lubricating sliding compound oil and is also sold as convertible top seal quieting lubricant. Per the Mercedes product MSDS, this stuff is actually a preparation of perflourpolyethers (PFPE). That means it's made by Dupont / Chemors. They invented PTPE for aeronautical and aerospace use back in the sixties and call this particular product Krytox GPL105. 1 oz bottles are all over fleabay and amazon for about $25. Both the lubricating "oil" and Gleitpaste are special purpose products, so IMHO it's best to specifically stick with them instead of experimenting with over the counter substitutes from somewhere like NAPA, Pep Boys, or Advance Auto.

Notes:

Evaluating Recommended Compatible Products:
When reviewing products, especially those from companies not on BeVo, be aware that that they must be distinctly marked with the label indicating the approval of Mercedes-Benz, (e.g. “MB-Approval 229.51”). Labels referring only to the BeVo number (e.g. “MB 229.51” from Febi, Swag, some Pentosyn, etc.) stating "recommended", "compatible" and so forth don't actually have the approval of Mercedes-Benz. So use at your own risk.

Engine Oils
I first checked with the local Walmart for a BeVo compatible oil. They had the Mobil 1. But I was using it regularly a few years back I started hearing a lifter clatter at cold start up on my SLK55 with only 6k miles after a change. So I switched brands to Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5w30. This based on the advice of a Mercedes tech who's only been doing Mercs since the early 70's. Lifter clatter was now gone for the life of the oil change.

Then I found on-line some friction testing done here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7JVj...ature=youtu.be
and after cross referencing, ended up with Total.

While informal, Total's Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5w40 is one of the higher rated oils (actually much higher than the Mobil 1 or the Liqui Moly) of roughly 250 oil brands checked using this test (.06mm / .002" of wear after a five minute friction test w/ 1kg weight). Not to mention it is shown as approved on BeVo.

Several others approved oils rated better, but most showed wear of over .1 to .15mm (.004" - .006"). And I couldn't find an approved oil that tested any better than the Total 9000 available stateside. You may have different results sourcing oil than I so please post what you find available and who the supplier is.

Tranny Fluids:
Apparently Merc has made some major internal changes on the 722.9 since 2006. The first batch up thru what appears to be up to the 2011 model year. Those used good 'ol Red ATF134. After 2010, the trans became known as the NAG3 and things changed over to the blue ATF134FE, then to D971. The ATF 134FE is more commonly available, but was only used for a short time before the D971 was phased in. Unfortunately D971 is not that common stateside and there are only a few approved manufacturers. I only found it from one supplier at the time of this writing.

So if you're got a 2011-2012 and going with the ATF134FE, you should prolly do a full drain and flush that includes your torque converter instead of just dropping the pan and replacing 4-5 quarts. This just to assure you're not mixing the FE with the D971 or vice versa.

How do you know which transmission you have? The simple way according to the attached TSB's is to get under the car and look at the dimples in the bottom of the pan, four deep dimples in the bottom of the pan, don't use the red fluid...

Power Steering Fluids:
I actually ended up at the dealer for a quart of PS fluid to fix the initial issue that led me into all this. After giving them my VIN, they gave me a bottle of pn# Q 1 46 0001. Once I started looking into BeVo I was surprised to find that the cross reference showed the pn# was different. It shows as 000 989 88 03. By cross referencing it turns out that the Merc 000 number is the same fluid as the Merc Q number fluid. And, the Q number is the fluid referenced in the August 2007 Mercedes factory approved service products guide.

This is a great reference for 2008 and older cars and is a pretty easy to find.pdf on-line. So that means that all the following 12 Dextron III Mercon ATF fluids are approved:

Castrol Dextron III/Mercon ATF, Castrol Transmax M22257/22096, Chevron ATF Dextron III, Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF, Exxon Superflo ATF Dextron III, Havoline ATF Mercon/Dextron III, Pennzoil ATF D, Quaker State Dextron III, Sunoco ATF Dextron III, Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF, and Valvoline ATF type D.

Note that all of these are all Dextron type III (not type VI, V, or a catch all III&IV fluid). Type III was used by GM pre-2006, some Ford pre-2006, early Honda/Accura, and etc. It is still typically available locally.

Brake Fluids:
Choices are pretty limited and things get a bit confusing. Brake fluid sold in North America is classified by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) under its own rating DOT3, DOT4, DOT5 and DOT5.1 specification and these are widely used in other countries. All R Class (in fact all Mercedes 2005-2018 use DOT4+ fluid, a low viscosity version of DOT4. However, there is no formal DOT designation called DOT4+.

The BeVo compatibility code is 331.0 but only shows the part number 000 989 08 07. The supplementary codes printed on the container (11th and 12th digits of number) essentially have logistic functions. A bit of research discovered two commonly used substitutes Pentosin Super DOT4 and Febi Bilstein 23930. Both are available from either Pelican Parts and RM European. The former is also common at some of the local auto parts stores here in the states. Cost is roughly 35%-40% less than the Merc bottle.

Wiper Blades
This one is pretty easy, just make sure your getting the blades that have the quick-lock mechanism on them and are curved. The factory supplier is purportedly Valeo, 28" Driver Front, 21" Passenger Front, 12" hatch. I personally prefer the Teflon coated and Trico NEO or Trico Force. But again, make sure whatever brand you use, that they have the quick-lock mechanism instead of the traditional U design.

Disclaimer:
This write up was done over several days of checking and double checking completeness. However no express or implied guaranty of accuracy is given. As a dead President use to say, "trust but verify." I'm also not related to any of the supplier or manufactures listed.

If you can think of anything maintenance related that I've missed or happen to need something that's not shown, PM me and I'll look it up for you. Also if you find a compatible product in BeVo that I missed, please post what it was and where you found it. And if you would, hit it me with a thanks if you're able to use any of this.

CDC55AMG

Thank you for posting, I will have to look into the Total Quartz oil as I have been using Liqui Moly Leichtlauf 5w40 with CeraTech additive on the R500 and my CLS55 though I do have a couple jugs of Molygen for the CLS55 for the next oil change.
Thanks again!

Belal

did you notice any good effect of adding CeraTech to the car?
I have a 2014 E550 4MATIC (m278 engine) with 144K miles on it, I was thinking of adding it to see if it helps improve MPG as they claim, also there is a small amount of rattling when I turn on the car that goes away in 2 seconds of starting the car, I do have the upgraded timing chain and I was thinking it the camshaft but I read on a thread that it was oil not reaching the top and OP added CeraTech and it has been good ever since.

CDC55AMG

I only ran Ceratec a couple times before switching to liqui moly Molygen 5w-40 but I really did not notice much of any difference. Maybe over a longer period I would have. According to liqui moly Ceratec is not to be used with Molygen since the additive package is superior already. Infact I still have a bottle of Ceratec around that I might use in my lawn mower and power washer engines.

Lioninstreet

Wifey had an accident with our gas powered '12 a wile back. Luckily, she was just shaken up & uninjured. The R on the other hand had a very minor sub-frame tweak and insurance felt it better to total it. Bummer.

I refuse to buy a Merc diesel from this vintage, so for the last 2 1/2 years I've been watching for a comparable '12. I just couldn't find one to my liking. Well, I actually found one or two, but they were just stupid money. Well-equipped gas powered 12's are pretty tough to find.

Finally I compromised. I just grabbed a clean, 2 owner '11 P2 in the super rare Lasurite Blue metallic (silvery light blue metallic flip flop). It's being shipped down to me in South Florida from Manheim Atlanta over the weekend. Mileage is actually within 1k miles of where my '12 was when it went to the graveyard. Condition reported was 4.2 out of 5 (fingers crossed on that).

My new '11 has 3rd row A/C, H/K, Keyless Go, directional Bi-Xenon's, second row DVD, heated front seats with the 7th middle row seat, and the icing on the cake, an OE trailer hitch. There are still a few things missing like roller blinds, full Air-Matic, A/C in the seats, and a Pano roof (some say the single glass sunroof is preferable over Pano as the mechanicals don't break as easy). It also only has the 19" wheels instead of the AMG 20's. But that's an easy swap-over when I need tires.

So it isn't actually fully loaded. But it's close enough for me to feel like I scored.

Even though my '12 had that clean looking diamond white metallic, had the better m276 motor, pano, and 20's, the '11 has that amazing looking silver blue metallic, DVD, Bi-Xenons, middle row seat, rear AC, and the OE hitch. The rest is a match, so I'm settled with the compromise.

All that to say, I guess I have to change my signature block. One thing for sure. I'm glad I posted all this cross over maintenance data here. I have another R to refresh now.