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231.0 General gear oils

General

The gear oils approved for MB vehicles are classified according to their application into:

Hypoid gear oils sheet 235.0/.6/.7/.8/.9/.15/.16/.17/.20/.31/.61/.62

Transmission oils sheet 235.1/.3/.4/.5/.10/.11/.12/.13/.27/.28/.29/.41/.71/.72/.74, 236.24

Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) sheet 236.1/.2/.3/.6/.7/.8/.9/.10/.11/.12/.13/.14/15/.16/.20/.21/.25/.26/.41/.81/.91

Frequently the transmission oils fulfill multifunctional requirements, which is why they are used in a wide variety of transmission designs and hydraulic systems. However, where very specific technological properties of the transmission oil are required, special transmission oils had to be formulated for these major assemblies. These are listed on separate sheets of the MB Specifications for Operating Fluids and explain the large number of sheets for transmission oils.

The Mercedes-Benz standard for the corresponding lubricant quality and its area of application for major assemblies installed in MB vehicles is documented using the various sheets.

The overviews on sheets 231.1/.2/.3 provide the allocation of the respective Specifications for Operating Fluids (lubricant quality) to their use in the respective major assemblies.

Requests

Gear oils are, like all lubricants, design-specific materials which only fulfill their task best if they are perfectly matched to the materials in tribological contact with them.

These specific material requirements can be subdivided into structural, technological and material requirements and are the primary properties that vehicle gear oils have to fulfill.

The general requirements, which are not any less important, are classified into shelf life, environmental compatibility, worldwide availability, economy and the constant quality of the guaranteed lubricant properties, which must meet the Mercedes-Benz standards worldwide.
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If prior to starting the vehicle the gear oil temperature is below the critical temperature for the oil used, then either the gear oil should be prewarmed or the transmission should be warmed up while in neutral.

Disposal

All approved transmission oils, either fresh oil or used oil, are valuable substances which can be reused using the appropriate recycling method for the material. The detailed disposal methods can be found in the waste guidelines for the countries.
  1. Hypoid gear oils, Sheet 235.0/.6/.7/.8/.9/.15/.20/.31/.61/.62

    Hypoid gear oils contain a high level of EP/AW additives (Extreme Pressure/Antiwear) and a highly viscous base oil to prevent seizure when the hypoid gears mesh (mixed and boundary friction conditions) and to ensure a high degree of protection against wear. The seal compatibility with radial shaft sealing rings is to be regarded as critical with such high concentrations of additives because the P/S additive systems become thermally unstable at temperatures from 130 °C to 140 °C and this may lead to sludging of the hypoid oil. The resulting deposits on the radial shaft sealing rings then generally lead to thermal overload and this in turn leads to leakage at this component.

    The tooth engagement conditions of the hypoid gears result in a high proportion of sliding and a low hydrodynamic proportion of tooth engagement between the pinion and ring gear. Due to the high tribological load compared to adhesive wear (seizure) and pitting, the performance of hypoid gear oils must be particularly high with respect to these types of wear. The formula of the oils is therefore determined by a high concentration of EP/AW additives and a highly viscous base oil. Alternative oils, e.g. engine oils, cannot be used for these drives. Proof of performance that an oil fulfills the requirements of Daimler AG is provided by internal tests. However, the hypoid gear oils must at least correspond to the US military specification MIL-L-2105 B/C/D and must be classed GL-5 in the quality grade according to API (American Institute of Petroleum).

    Viscosity requirements

    The cold flow behavior is only specified for SAE 75W-, 85W-... oils. Here, the limits according to SAE J 306 c apply, according to which the dynamic viscosity may be max. 150,000 mPa s at –40 °C for 75W oils and at –12 °C for 85W oils. As a result of the tendency to form deposits in the transmission, the polymer content is limited to max. 1 percent by weight for pour point reducers. Polymers as VI improvers for thickening low-viscosity base oils are not permitted.
    1. Hypoid gear oils sheet 235.61

      For AMG rear axle differentials with differential lock (s. Sheet 231.1)
    2. Hypoid gear oils Sheet 235.62

      For rear axle differential 4MATIC (s. Sheet 231.1)
  2. Transmission oils, sheet 235.1/.3/.4/.5/.10/.11/.12/.13/.27/.28/.29/.41/.71/.72/.74, 236.24
    1. Transmission oils, sheet 235.1

      The additive and viscosity properties of the transmission oils are adjusted so that they meet all the requirements placed on manual transmissions with steel/molybdenum synchronization, spur gear axles, MB and ZF transfer cases and reversing gears. Among other things, this results in the fact that the oils ensure a defined friction coefficient of the synchronizer elements, even after a high number of shift operations, without crunching noises. With gears and roller-element bearings, the adhesive wear (seizure) and pitting in particular should be minimized as far as possible.
      1. Viscosity requirements

        The cold flow behavior is only specified for SAE 75W-, 80W, 85W-... oils. Here, the limits according to SAE J 306 c apply, according to which the dynamic viscosity may be max. 150,000 mPa s at –40 °C for 75W oils, at -26 °C for 80W oils and at –12 °C for 85W oils.

        Due to the formation of deposits in the transmission, the polymer content is limited to max. 1 percent by weight for pour point reducers. Polymers as VI improvers for thickening low-viscosity base oils are not permitted. The kinematic viscosity at 100 °C must be at least 9.5 mm²/s. In hot zones, gear oils of SAE grade 90 are also permitted.
      2. Alternative transmission lubricants for commercial vehicle synchromesh transmissions which are operated with transmission oils as per sheet 235.1, 235.5

        If there are no transmission oils according to sheet 235.1 and 235.5 available, the following engine oils can also be used as alternatives:

        In a moderate climate, engine oil of SAE-grade 30 as per sheet 235.12

        In tropical climate, engine oil of SAE-grade 40 as per sheet 235.12
    2. Transmission oils, sheet 235.3

      NMT service kit for MBC (NSG270/NSG400) service kit = complaints about cold-shifting response
    3. Fully synthetic transmission oils, sheet 235.4

      For the Unimog manual transmissions UG3/40, UG3/65, UG100 and the front PTO transmission – as of vehicle ident. end number ... 179909 – the fully synthetic transmission oils are mandatory. Older vehicles can have their oils changed from gear oils according to Sheet 235.1 to gear oils according to Sheet 235.4 when an oil change is due.

      The transmission oils correspond to the ZF lubricant specifications TE-ML01 and TE-ML02 and are consequently alternatives to the transmission oils according to sheet 235.1 in all synchronized ZF manual transmissions installed in MB vehicles, with and without intarders. Furthermore, the approval extends to the MB transfer case VG 2400 without oil cooler.

      Due to the favorable viscosity/temperature characteristics, a good cold-shifting response and, due to the composition of the transmission oil, a good thermal/oxidative stability of the oil at high transmission oil temperatures can be expected.
    4. Transmission oils, sheet 235.5

      The transmission oils are approved for MB and ZF manual transmissions with steel/molybdenum synchronization, MB and ZF transfer cases and offset gearboxes.

      The transmission oils have a low chlorine content as well as a potential for lower oil temperatures under certain operating conditions.
      1. If there are no transmission oils according to sheet 235.1 and 235.5 available, the following engine oils can also be used as alternatives:
        • In a moderate climate, engine oil of SAE-grade 30 as per sheet 235.12
        • In tropical climate, engine oil of SAE-grade 40 as per sheet 235.12
    5. Transmission oils, sheet 235.10

      The partly synthetic transmission oils are approved for the following transmissions:
      • Commercial vehicle manual transmission model G16/G28
      • Citan van transmission 700.7
      • Passenger car front-wheel drive manual transmission SG 150/180
      • All passenger car transmissions 717.4 as of transmission sequence number 7 340 241
      • smart transmission 700.121/410
      Due to the favorable viscosity/temperature characteristics, a very good cold-shifting response and, due to the composition of the transmission oil, a good thermal/oxidative stability of the oil at high transmission oil temperatures can be expected.

      With the use in passenger car manual transmissions which are also installed in cross-country vehicles, the approved transmission oil is usually only used in the event of repairs or for refilling.
    6. Transmission oils, sheet 235.11

      Transmission oils in accordance with sheet 235.11 must not be used for Unimog and MB-trac transmissions.
      The fully synthetic transmission oils are approved for all MB commercial vehicle manual transmissions installed in MB vehicles with steel/molybdenum synchronization with and without oil coolers, in MB transfer cases with and without oil coolers as well as in ZF manual transmissions with steel/molybdenum synchronization.

      Due to the favorable viscosity/temperature characteristics, a good cold-shifting response and, due to the composition of the transmission oil, a good thermal/oxidative stability of the oil at high transmission oil temperatures as well as a fuel savings potential depending on the operating conditions can be expected.
    7. Transmission oils, sheet 235.12

      The engine oils must be used with a common oil system for transmissions used in tropical countries, and for manual transmissions with a torque converter and clutch unit. These engine oils display the very high seizure resistance required for use in transmissions. The oils need not comply with the engine oil pour point specifications in the MB Specifications for Operating Fluids.
    8. Transmission oils, sheet 235.13

      Fully synthetic commercial vehicle transmission oil (for manual transmission)
    9. Retarder oils, sheet 235.27/.28/.29 

      Commercial vehicle retarder oils: The listed products in the table are valid for commercial vehicle transmissions: see MB Specifications for Operating Fluids 231.2. The engine oils are suitable for use with retarders. The oils need not comply with the MB Specifications for Operating Fluids with regard to pour point.
    10. Transmission oils, sheet 235.41

      Dexron VI for AHSC Hybrid
    11. Transmission oils, sheet 235.71

      For automated manual transmission, smart, model 450, 452
    12. Transmission oils, sheet 235.72

      For automated manual transmission smart, model 451, 454
    13. Transmission oils, sheet 235.74

      Front axle gear oil for all passenger car front axles
    14. Transmission oils, sheet 236.24

      The transmission oils are for ZF transmissions 716.7.
  3. . Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.1/.2/.3/.6/.7/.8/.9/.10/.11/.12/.13/.14/15/.16/.17/.20/.21/.25/.26/.41/.81/.91 

    ATF are comparatively low-viscosity gear oils which, due to their universal use potential as a gear oil or a hydraulic fluid, can cover a wide spectrum of applications. The ATFs in the individual sheets differ essentially due to their inherent friction coefficients in tribological contact. This property makes these oils ideally suited for use as functional liquids for automatic transmissions, the shifting comfort of which is heavily influenced by the behavior of the friction value of the ATF, among other things. Therefore, to achieve optimum performance of the vehicles, only the ATF quality (sheet no.) assigned to the major assembly is to be used. The individual ATF qualities will be described in greater detail below.
    1. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.1

      The approved ATF correspond to the currently no longer valid GM specification Dexron II-D or the currently valid GM specification Dexron III.

      The field of application of these ATF includes MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars, ZF Ecomat transmissions, Allison automatic transmissions, Voith-Diwa transmissions and MB automatic transmissions in commercial vehicles and buses except W4B035.
    2. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.2, for MB passenger car and commercial vehicle transmissions with non-ferrous metal synchronization except A-Class front-wheel drive manual transmissions (see section 2.5, sheet 235.10), Allison transmissions, commercial vehicle power steering systems, hydrostatic fan drive.

      The ATF must meet all the requirements of the transmissions with nonferrous metal synchronization. These include, in particular, wear protection against pitting and seizure as well as a defined friction coefficient of the synchronizer components that is as constant as possible over the entire service life. As a hydraulic fluid, the ATF is used for hydraulic power transmission and for protecting the hydraulic unit from wear.

      The seal compatibility must be ensured with all elastomer materials installed. The approved ATF according to sheet 236.2 correspond to the currently no longer valid GM specification Type A Suffix A. The kinematic fresh oil viscosity at 100 °C must be at least 7.0 mm²/s, after shearing (as per CEC- TLPG 7) at least 6.0 mm²/s.
    3. Steering gear oils, sheet 236.3, for all commercial vehicle steering systems, except vans T0 and T1N, power steering systems for passenger cars, except S-Class W220, Power-Pack in the A-Class and cross-country vehicles, manual steering systems L 075 Z for passenger cars as well as manual steering systems in cross-country vehicles.

      In the S-Class W220, in the Power-Pack of the A-Class as well as in the vans T0 and T1N as of/below outside temperatures of –25 °C, the hydraulic fluids according to sheet 345.0 must be used.

      Allison transmissions in model series AT500, MT600, S1000, S2000 and World Transmission in series 3000 and 4000 must only be filled with oils according to sheet 236.9/91 or TES 295.
    4. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.6 and 236.7, for MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars as well as in commercial vehicles and buses (W4B035 only as of major assy. end no. 005733), ZF Ecomat transmission, Voith-Diwa transmission, commercial vehicle and cross-country vehicle power steering systems.

      If the approved ATF as per sheet 236.2 are not available, ATF as per sheet 236.6 can be used in synchronized manual transmissions for passenger cars as a makeshift measure, except GL 76/30-5 and GL 275E (ATF as per sheet 236.2 is mandatory for the two sport transmissions).

      The approved ATF according to sheet 236.6 and 236.7 correspond to the currently no longer valid GM specification Dexron II-D. The kinematic fresh oil viscosity at 100 °C must be at least 7.0 mm²/s, after shearing (as per CEC- TLPG 7) at least 6.0 mm²/s.
    5. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.8, for ZF Ecomat transmissions, Voith-Diwa transmissions, MB automatic transmissions in commercial vehicles and buses except W4B035 and MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars (only in arctic climates).

      The approved ATF correspond to the no longer valid GM specification Dexron II-E, Allison C4, Voith lubricant lists G 607 and G 1363 as well as ZF lubricant specifications TE-ML 14.
    6. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.9, for MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars, ZF Ecomat transmissions, Voith-Diwa transmissions, Allison transmissions.

      The ATF correspond to the valid GM specification Dexron III, Voith lubricant list G 607 and ZF lubricant specification TE-ML 14.
    7. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.10, for MB automatic transmissions with and without controlled torque converter lockup clutch (GKÜB) in passenger cars. These ATF are installed ex works as lifetime oil in all MB automatic transmissions 722.6 with controlled torque converter lockup clutch. In the event of repair work, only the ATF quality shown in sheet 236.10 can be used for refilling in this new generation of automatic transmissions.
      1. All MB automatic transmissions without regulated torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars can either be filled with the ATF as per Sheet 236.10 or the ATF as per Sheets 236.1/.6/.7/.81/.9.
    8. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.11, for ZF automatic transmissions "ZF 4 HP 20" and automatic transmission oil circuit of VW automatic transmission "AG4"

      The approved ATF are usually only used in the event of repairs or for refilling.
    9. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.12, for 7-speed automatic transmissions are also downwards-compatible for all 5-speed automatic transmissions.
    10. Sheet 236.13, repair solution for MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars in the event of the complaint "Double shift jolt after engaging in drive position D".
    11. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.14, for 5-speed automatic transmission 722.6, 7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 in combination with engine 629 irrespective of the production period and the installed oil pan, 7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 up to transmission sequence number 2834526 except vehicles with engine 629, 7-speed automatic transmission hybrid 724.2.
    12. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.15, 7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 as of transmission sequence number 2834527 with engine 113, 152, 156, 157, 275, 279, 7-speed automatic transmission 722.9 as of transmission sequence number 2834527 except vehicles with engine 113, 152, 156, 157, 275, 279, 629.
    13. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.16, this sheet has been replaced by sheet 236.17. Any remaining sheets can be used up.
    14. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.17, for 9-speed automatic transmission 725.0
    15. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.20, for CVT transmissions that are used in Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class vehicles with CVT transmission, model 169, 245 with transmission 722.8
    16. Transmission oils, sheet 236.21, for 7-speed DCT transmission 724.0 in model 117, 156, 176, 242, 246.
    17. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.25, for hydraulic circuit, SLS
    18. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.26 GL-5 hydraulic circuit (gear set), SLS
    19. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.41, for hybrid model 164
    20. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.81, for MB automatic transmissions without controlled torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars, MB automatic transmissions in commercial vehicles and buses except W4B 035 as well as ZF Ecomat transmission, Voith-Diwa transmission.

      The approved ATF correspond to the ZF lubricant specifications TE-ML 09, TE-ML 14 and the Voith lubricant lists G 607 and G 1363.
    21. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.91 or TES 295 for Allison automatic transmission. This oil permits much longer oil change intervals, in particular for Allison transmissions.

      Note for Allison transmissions (extended maintenance intervals): Allison offers a new fully synthetic transmission oil "TranSynd" as per Allison specificationTES 295 which must be ordered directly through Allison. This oil permits much longer oil change intervals in combination with "High-performance filters". Further information on this can be found at the Mercedes-Benz or Allison dealers or in the respective operator's manual.