ATF for Mercedes W202

[oravla]

Hi there!

I've a 95 C180 Mercedes-Benz (chassis w202) with a 4 speed automatic transmission (MB 722.4). I bought the car 2 month ago with 106k miles. First thing I did, was to do a ATF change (incl. filter). The old fluid was pretty nasty (brown in color) and there was a slight "mud" on the pan. The transmission had some lag when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, but once it changed gear, it was smooth.
I cleaned everything, changed the filter, and used Mercon V. Shift quality was much improved and the shift lag from 2nd to 3rd was gone. Even so, the shifting isn't perfect. At light throttle and full throttle the changes really good. Only issues I feel are:

- The shift point at full throttle is kind of low (between 5400 and 5500 rpm)
- Shift quality at around 1/2 or 3/4 of throttle isn't perfect. I feel some slippage.

Any thoughts? Could it be the Mercon V? or maybe is just a tired transmission?
I was thinking in trying Mopar ATF4+. Since Chrysler uses some MB transmissions, maybe their fluid is better suited.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SF0059]

Mercon V should be the correct replacement for your transmission.

If the transmission is still slipping or shifting funky I would put a bottle of Lubegard Platinum in it. That is a cheap attempt at smoothing things out and will work with your MercV. Worth a shot.

 

[Wolf359]

I wouldn't play games with additives at this stage. You might want to drive it for a little bit like 5k or so and change the fluid again.

 

[tommygunn]

Mercon V should be fine, no problems. That 4-speed auto originally called for Dexron III.

ATF+4 probably wouldn't be a problem, either. ATF+4 was used on the 5-speed auto 722.6

 

[SF0059]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
I wouldn't play games with additives at this stage. You might want to drive it for a little bit like 5k or so and change the fluid again.


I would tend to disagree. Lubegard is one of the few additives I would use anywhere in the transmission life cycle. I just put new fluid and Lubegard Platinum in my Audi and the shifting is noticeably smoother and less hesitant. I think it is worth a shot.

 

[oravla]

Thank you for the answers.
I don't think Lubegard is available in Chile (I've never seen it), so that option isn't practicable at the moment.
I was planning on changing the fluid again in about 5k miles, but I wasn't sure if I should try another brand or spec of fluid. The Mercon V I'm using is from Motorcraft. Maybe I should give the ATF4+ a try.