izzyz28

I'm going to change the transmission fluid on my 2004 E55. I went to the dealership and picked up some ATF. The guy at the counter did take a few minutes to look up the part number for the fluid. However, once I got home I compared the number to what's been posted on these forums, and it doesn't match. It could be that the fluid I have is just an updated part number, but Im not sure.

The fluid I have is marked as "ATF 134", and has a part number of A001 989 68 03 10. Is this the correct fluid? Thanks!

MBTEK

THE FLUID IS CORRECT, THE 134 FLUID REPLACES THE OLD 722.6 FLUID.

Yacht Master

Some members have reported a change in shift quality in the 5 speed using the reverse compatible 7 speed fluid. Please let us know how your change goes. I don't know the part numbers so I am assuming you bought the "new" 7 speed ATF.

izzyz28

Thank you!

I will be sure to report back with my findings. I just wanted to be cautious and ensure I didn't dump the wrong stuff in there since I've heard so many people say that the correct fluid must be used. What sort of change in shift quality were people referring to? As far as I'm concerned a 700R4 from an Astro van has better shift quality than this thing, so it couldn't get much worse, though much of that feels like torque management to me.

lowprofile

Here's some great info for you.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...ssion-faq.html

Izzy, what's your mileage? You might consider a DIY fluid flush while you are there. As well, there is an electrical connector on the passenger side of the trans which is known to fail and should be replaced. At the very least, check if any fluid has gotten inside of it.

Jon2007E63P30

from my PL post

Note that the specification is 236.14. See the attached application sheet.
But, yes you have the right oil.

izzyz28

Well, I got to the shop around 6:45 this morning and had the job done in about 45 minutes. Very easy to do, though the drain plug on the pan didn't want to come out, so I didn't force it and just removed the pan with fluid in it. The pan was super, super, super clean, which is surprising with 77,000 miles. I saw no service records indicating it was ever changed, and the bolts looked like they had never been touched.

Cleaned the pan and magnet, installed a new filter and gasket, and filled it up with ~3.75 litres of liquid gold($17.50 a quart). I did buy the dipstick, though if I had searched and found the measurement on this forum I just would have used a coat hanger. Very very easy to do and no surprises.

The transmission shifts exactly the same. With everything 100% stock I believe any difference would not be felt due to the ridiculous torque management. I only did a partial change because I didn't know if the car really did have a TC plug, and even if it did the last thing I wanted to do was somehow screw up the plug/threads, so I didn't even look for it. Plus I can't really justify about $150 in fluid. There's just something fundamentally wrong with that.

lowprofile

Glad to hear everything went smoothly.
Just a heads up (after the fact). An alternative to removing the drain plug would be to remove one of the transmission cooler lines (there is a connection by the i/c pump) and run the car to pump the fluid into a container. You can remove ~3 liters this way, then remove the pan.
Did you check that connector plug?

Yacht Master

Good to hear the shifts are the same and your trans is so clean.
Was the new fluid thiner viscosity?

izzyz28

The new fluid did seem to be noticeably thinner, and it was very very red, especially compared to the greenish-tinted reddish stuff that came out.

I did not check the connector because I completely forgot to, but the trans. was totally dry on the outside.

01bolt

I used BG UNIVERSAL SYNTHETIC ATF all seams fine

lowprofile

BG? Opinions tend to run strong on this forum in regards to alternate fluids, however there are few post of people saying, "xxx brand fluid did my tranny in".

£ C43 £ AMG £

Has anyone had the trans oil leak into the car due to the electrical connector needing replacement. I get an oil smell sometimes inside the car., not sure if it smells like auto trans fluid or engine oil

Is the trans ECU located in the passenger foot well (so I can check for oil)?