Feature

Transmission Maintenance
Maintenance is the key to vehicle reliability, and is the
bread-and-butter of the independent workshop. Most
vehicle owners know to get their oil changed regularly –
witness the growth of quick-lube joints – but what about
that automatic transmission?
 March 2017

The maintenance sheets for newer now might prevent something vastly 722.6
Mercedes-Benz vehicles show a more expensive down the road. When the 722.6 NAG1 transmission
transmission oil and filter change was introduced, it was a
once at about 35,000 to 40,000 Let’s take a look at three modern
technological breakthrough: Far
miles. The reasoning is that any Mercedes-Benz automatic transmis-
fewer parts, fully-electronic, and
contamination from wear during sions and the details of their needs.
far more reliable and smooth
this initial break-in period will have than anything before possible,
stabilized and been caught by then,
NAG
even considering the very refined
First, we have the venerable 722.6
so by performing a maintenance 722.3 hydraulically-controlled
“NAG” (New Automatic Gearbox),
service, the trans should be good predecessor. But for service shops,
a five-speed fully-electronic
from there on. And, if you trust that the biggest thing was the new
transmission introduced in the mid
those German engineers know what transmission oil: ATF Dexron III was
1990s with the 210 E-Class chassis.
they’re doing, it is. out, and this new synthetic stuff,
In Model Year 2004 the 722.9
at a considerably higher price, was
Additional maintenance isn’t “NAG2” was introduced in vehicles
in. Some tried using Dexron III,
harmful, may possibly be equipped with non-turbo M113
either to save money, or through
beneficial, but definitely isn’t on the V-8 engines, adding two additional
ignorance or error, and found that
maintenance schedule published forward gears for a total of seven
not only did the 722.6 not like it
by Mercedes-Benz. Yet, most speeds. Recently, the 725.0 “NAG3”
at all, bad things happened fairly
customers will request it, and even was launched, a 9-speed entry in the
soon. A spate of transmission
agree to it when asked, because, race for fuel efficiency.
replacements was the result, often
well, a few dollars
paid for by the shop owner.

Several other features were

introduced here, including a lock-
up torque converter, the deletion
of a transmission oil dipstick (use
special tool W140 589 15 21 00
to check the fluid level), a seal for
the dipstick tube covering, and a
new oil pan and its bolts, which are
sensitive to over-tightening.

One service issue seen often on

the 722.6 is the so-called “pilot
Regular transmission fluid maintenance is much more expensive
with synthetic ATF than it was with conventional Dexron, but
bushing”, which is the electrical
transmission work is much more expensive, too. The visual connector located in the front right
comparison of clean to dirty ATF as seen on this flush machine is a of the transmission just above
powerful customer pleaser. the pan. Early versions of this
Left: In the NAG1 (722.6) transmission, the dipstick was eliminated, but
component had O-rings, which
by using special tool W140 589 15 21 00 you can check the oil level using tended to leak -- slowly, over time.
the dipstick tube. Later generations eliminated the dipstick tube as well.
Transmission Maintenance

This slow drip would often not be

In the NAG1 (722.6) transmissions,
addressed by the customer until it
one common leak source was the “pilot
was almost too late, with slipping bushing” (21), which was the electrical
shifts and eventual loss of power connection to the transmission internal
transmission entirely. The solution valve unit (19). Replacement is an easy
task and the latest version is reliable, but
is to replace the entire part, and to
don’t over-tighten the bolt (22).
be sure to tighten the single central
bolt holding it in place carefully to
specification, a downright miniscule
2.5 Nm, which really is just finger-
tight. But don’t trust your fingers:
Use a good micro-torque wrench,
or risk a repeat failure. The modern
version of this part is quite reliable.

Before we discuss maintenance, it

is a well-known rule that automatic
transmission work always requires
the utmost cleanliness. Even
the smallest dirt particles in the and one for those without. For the
hydraulic components can lead to ‘without’ version you’ll need about 14
malfunctions and a total failure of the liters of approved transmission fluid
transmission. Always clean the work to complete the process. If you have a
area thoroughly before removing any transmission flush machine, follow the
fasteners, covers or plugs. manufacturer’s instructions for how
much fluid to use. Just don’t mix the
Maintenance is straightforward in special synthetic Mercedes-Benz fluid
this model. Start by warming the with standard fluid. Check and correct
transmission to 176 deg. F., clean the fluid level through the dipstick In 2010, the design of the oil pan of the
NAG2 (722.9) was changed, indicating the
the area to keep road dirt out, and tube as necessary, and the oil and need for a different fluid and overflow tube.
drain out the oil pan using the drain filter change is done. Here we see the “newer” version pan, which
plug (replace the copper seal washer has deeper oval indentations (arrows) and a
upon installation, and observe the A word about the transmission fluid: green overflow pipe (visible with the drain plug

tightening torque). Then remove The original 722.6 fluid is no longer removed). The side of the pan is flat, unlike
the older version pan, which has a noticeable
the oil pan, but be careful, since sold, having been replaced by the
angled chamfer. Be sure to follow the WIS
there’s usually still some oil left in fluid used in early versions of the instructions for the version you’re working on.
it. Check the pan for the presence 722.9 transmission. This fluid carries
Mercedes-Benz specification 236.14, filled from below. This is simple if you
of a magnet (if not installed put one
is also known as ATF134, is colored have a filling pump (with the correct
in -- they’re inexpensive from your
red, and can be ordered from your adapter), and darn near impossible if
dealer) and clean any debris out. Pull
local dealer under part number A001 you don’t.
out the old filter and replace it, then
reinstall the pan with a new gasket 989 68 03. Don’t confuse this with
As before, after cleaning the area to
(lightly lubricated with new oil). Again, the newer fluids, which are blue
avoid any road crud from getting in,
observe the pan bolt torque religiously or gold in color. We’ll discuss this
we start by draining out the oil pan:
or it’ll come back to bite you. further in a moment.
Remove the drain screw and pry off
722.9 the overflow tube (inside the pan)
Now, flush out the old oil. WIS has two
The NAG2 transmission completely with special tool ‘Drift’ W722 589 03
documents, one for shops equipped
eliminated the dipstick tube, and is 15 00, allowing the oil to drain out.
with a transmission flushing machine,
At the same time, drain the torque

30 Mercedes-Benz StarTuned
 236.14 236.15 236.17
(Red, (Blue, (Gold)
ATF134) ATF134- A002 989
A001 989 FE) 06 03
68 03 A001 989
77 03 or
78 03
722.6 (NAG1) OK
722.9 (NAG2) Up To
OK
S/N 2834526
722.9 (NAG2) As Of
S/N 2834527 with
OK
engine 113, 152, 156,
157, 275 and 279
722.9 (NAG2) As Of
S/N 2834527 with
engine other than 113, OK OK
152, 156, 157, 275
and 279
725.0 (NAG3) OK

Using the correct transmission oil is critical, and none of the electronic
transmissions can use Dexron III. Also note that these fluids cannot be
mixed and are not interchangeable.

converter -- the 722.6 generally didn’t have a drain plug Wholesale Website
on the torque converter, which is why we used such an
elaborate procedure and 14 liters of fluid; the 722.9 has a
www.mbwholesaleparts.com
drain, so use it, then reinstall the plug with a new seal ring.
The wholesale website was designed as the ultimate
With the oil out, remove the pan, again carefully since there
may be some oil left in there. Pull out the old filter and
information resource for ISPs and Collision Shops
install the new. Clean out the pan (and magnet) carefully who are in the business of servicing and repairing
and install a new overflow tube of the same color (using Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The website features
the wrong one will under- or over-fill the transmission, and detailed information and links to parts knowledge,
may be a source of problems). Searching for the tube part
parts ordering and technical support for Genuine
number in the EPC by VIN helps get this correct. Since the
bolts holding the pan in place are aluminum stretch bolts,
Mercedes-Benz Parts and Accessories. It also
it is absolutely mandatory that they be replaced. The pan features a separate PartsPro section with the ability
gasket, too, of course. to look up a PartsPro dealer.
To fill the transmission with fluid, mount the adapter to
the drain opening and connect your trans oil pump. Now Visit: www.mbwholesaleparts.com
pump six liters into the transmission. Be sure to use the
correct fluid -- more on that in just a moment. Leave the
pump connected.

Start the engine and bring the transmission oil up to

temperature. The exact temperature depends on the
vehicle: With a chamfered oil pan the spec is 113 deg. F.,

March 2017 March 2017 31

Transmission Maintenance

and without a chamfered oil pan the very high sensitivity of the special 725.0 NAG3
the spec is 95 deg. F. in the model transmission fluid to temperature. The NAG3, introduced only recently,
we checked, and if the car has an Its volume changes significantly with is a nine-speed fully-electronic
auxiliary transmission oil cooler the temperature, and if you perform transmission. As with the NAG2,
oil must reach 194 deg. F. before the last step (letting it drain from there is no external control unit, and
the oil starts flowing through it. In the overflow tube until it drips) at be aware that there are two versions:
every case, you should follow the the wrong temperature, you can be up to the end of Model Year 2014,
WIS instructions for the specific certain that the transmission oil level and as of Model Year 2015. These
vehicle you’re working on to be will not be correct. Do we have to differ slightly in how they’re drained
sure. Use XENTRY to measure the explain what happens when there and refilled.
oil temperature, and never “power- is too little or too much fluid in an
brake” the transmission to increase automatic transmission? This is a Replacing the transmission oil and
the oil temperature. Instead, hold the circumstance best avoided. filter is similar to the procedure
throttle at about 2,500 rpm with the in the 722.9 in that you start
transmission in Park. Transmission Oil by draining the pan and torque
We’ve mentioned
Switch off the engine and re-verify it already, but what
the transmission fluid temperature. you need to know
If it’s too hot (i.e., you heated up about transmission
the oil because of the auxiliary oil oil when dealing
cooler), shut off the engine and let it with 722.6 and later
cool down. When it’s correct, start transmissions is
the engine and add either four liters shown in the chart.
(if the torque converter was drained) The original 722.6
or two liters (if the torque converter oil, which is no longer
was not drained) to the transmission sold, was replaced
using the oil pump. Shift through P-R- by the “early, red”
N-D several times with the vehicle 722.9 transmission
completely stationary (brakes on) and oil. Later, the oil
the engine at idle. Shift into P. switched to blue,
and then gold. None The quick-release coupling as of Model Year 2015
Verify yet again the correct
of these oils are has a valve with four positions: Position 1 is for
temperature and, if it is correct,
interchangeable, adding oil, Position 2 is not used in the USA,
remove the pump and adapter
and they must Position 3 is for adjusting the oil level (see text) and
and let any excess oil drain out. It
never be mixed. Position 4 is for draining out the oil completely.
is essential that the engine be at
idle, and the transmission fluid is
not hotter than the specification.
It may be necessary to switch off
the engine and let things cool down
before removing the pump and
adapter. Let excess oil drain until
only drops come out, then install the
drain plug with a new seal washer.

Temperature
Why the obsession with temperature? In the 725.0 NAG3, the filters (32) are part of the oil pan (34), so you have to replace the whole
assembly. Not only must you use the correct torque, but as with cylinder head gaskets, you must
Seriously, it was checked at least
tighten the bolts in sequence (1 through 10) in two stages. WIS covers the details nicely. You can
three times! We do this because of also see the quick-release coupling (30) in this photo.

32 Mercedes-Benz StarTuned
Transmission Maintenance

converter. In early versions of the check in WIS that these values remove the quick-release coupling
NAG3, an overflow tube and bayonet are correct for the vehicle you’re and, using the wrench end of
coupling (a quarter-turn drain plug) working on. assembly tool W725 589 02 90 00,
are installed, and the procedure turn the valve inside so the wing on
is much like the NAG2 mentioned To fill the transmission with fluid, the tool points to Position 1.
above. As of Model Year 2015, the connect the adapter W725 589 00
NAG3 is equipped with a Quick- 90 00 to the filling pump (set to not Start the engine and warm the oil
Release coupling that has four more than 2 Bar/29 PSI to avoid as specified, and when the exact
distinct positions as shown. Use the damaging the pan), and attach the temperature is reached turn the
oil thrower from assembly tool W725 adapter to the transmission. For an valve to Position 3. Let the oil drain
589 02 90 00 to release the quick- oil pump, WIS suggests using Pump until it becomes a thin stream
release coupler, then use the wrench W000 588 06 82 00, but we couldn’t (more than just dripping) and the oil
to turn the coupler so the wing on verify USA availability, so check with reaches one deg. C higher. Turn the
the tool is in Position 4, allowing the your dealership for what they’re valve back to Position 1, reinstall the
oil to drain. Also drain the torque using. Pump in the same amount you quick-release coupling, and switch
converter, and keep track of the drained, plus one-half liter additional, off the engine.
quantity drained from both the pan of the correct fluid (Specification
236.17, colored gold). That covers the basic maintenance
and the converter for refilling. of the NAG1, NAG2 and NAG3
Once the oil is drained, the oil pan Disconnect the filling adapter and automatic transmissions. In a
is removed. In this transmission, install the quick-release coupling. future issue, we’ll discuss some
the pan and filters are a single Using XENTRY, determine the oil of the unique maintenance
assembly. Replace the entire oil pan temperature using the “adjust needs of the 7G-DCT dual-clutch
with the filters. Additionally, the ten oil level” procedure. With the oil transmission first introduced in the
screws holding in the oil pan must temperature less than the specified CLA (117) model. |
be replaced, since they are stretch value (letting it cool off if necessary),
bolts. When installing the new pan,
not only must you observe the
proper torque, but also the proper
torque sequence (1 through 10) as
The
shown in the image. It goes without
‘wing’ on
saying that utmost cleanliness is to the assembly
be observed, and you need a new tool W725 589
pan gasket, too. Start by torquing 02 90 00 is used
to determine the quick-
all bolts to 4 Nm (which is not a
release coupling valve
lot of torque), and then repeat the position, and the
sequence with a 90 degree (1/4 wrench end can turn
turn) final tightening. Of course, the valve with little fuss. *Color is for reference only.

Vehicle Fill temperature Turn to ‘Position 3’ at... Valve to position 1 when thin stream
(As Of Model year 2015) (do not exceed) AND this temperature is reached
205, 207, 213, 217, 218,
222, 231, 253 (Not all 95°F 102°F 104°F
have 725.0 NAG3)
166, 292 131°F 138°F 140°F

Temperature limits in NAG3 transmissions as of Model year 2015. The temperature is read using XENTRY in the “Adjust oil level” procedure. The
temperatures are critical to ensure the proper oil level, so don’t take any shortcuts here. As always, verify the values expected in WIS for your
specific vehicle.

34 Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2017 34