MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 1997 Complete Repair Manual

MULTIGRADE ENGINE OILS (SHEET 229.5) - BB00.40-P-0229-05A
For use in vehicles/engines refer to ? Sheet 223.2
Hamburg, Germany
Wako's ex Synthe X Wako Chemicals Co.,
Ltd, Odawara, Japan
Wako's Super SyntheX Wako Chemicals Co.,
Ltd, Odawara, Japan
Wintershall ViVA 1
Longlife X SRS Schmierstoff
Vertrieb GmbH,
Salzbergen, Germany
Wintershall ViVA 1
topsynth X SRS Schmierstoff
Vertrieb GmbH,
Salzbergen, Germany
Wintershall ViVA 1
topsynth alpha X SRS Schmierstoff
Vertrieb GmbH,
Salzbergen, Germany
Wolf Masterlube
Synflow DC X Wolf Oil Corporation
N.V., Hemiksem,
Belgium
Wolf Masterlube
Synflow Plus X Wolf Oil Corporation
N.V., Hemiksem,
Belgium
Yacco VX 1000 X Yacco SAF, Saint-
Pierre-les-Elbeuf,
France
Yacco VX 600 5W-40 X Yacco SAF, Saint-
Pierre-les-Elbeuf,
France
York 748X Ginouves Georges
S.A., La Farlede,
France
YPF Elaion Full
Performance SM X YPF S.A. Lubricantes
& Especialidades,
Buenos
Aires/Argentina
ZIC XQ X SK Corporation, Seoul
KR/Rep. Korea
Product name0W-300W-405W-30Customer, town/country
Addinol Super power
MV 0537 XAddinol Lube Oil GmbH,
Leuna, Germany
Adnoc Image, SAE
5W-30 XAdnoc Distribution, Abu
Dhabi/United Arab

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Emirates
Agip Formula LL DC XENI S.p.A. - Refining &
Marketing Division,
Rome, Italy
ALPINE Longlife
SAE 5W-30 XMitan Mineralol GmbH,
Ankum, Germany
Aral SuperTronic GX Aral Aktiengesellschaft,
Hamburg, Germany
Aviaticon Unique DC
5W/30 XFinke Mineralolwerk
GmbH,
Visselhovede/Germany
BP Visco 7000 GMX BP p.l.c., London,
England
Castrol DCO TOPUPX Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Castrol Edge 0W-30X Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Castrol Formula SLXX Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Castrol Formula SLX
LongTecX Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Castrol SLX
Professional Longtec
0W-30X Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Castrol Syntec 0W-30
European FormulaX Castrol Limited, GB
Reading RG8 7QR,
England
Divinol
SYNTHOlight MB
SAE 5W-30 XZeller + Gmelin GmbH &
Co., Eislingen, Germany
Elf Excellium 0W-30X Total Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
Elf Excellium 229.5
5W-30 XTotal Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
Elf Excellium Full
Tech 0W-30X Total Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
FormulaShell Ultra
AB XShell International
Petroleum Co., London,
England
Galax Syntec, SAE
5W-30 XRafinerija Nafte DOO
Beograd, Belgrade/Serbia

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Galp Formula XLD,
SAE 5W-30 XPetrogal S.A., Lisbon,
Portugal
Gulf Avantgarde K
5W-30 XS.A. Espanola de
Lubrificantes, Madrid,
Spain
Gulf Formula
Extreme 0W-30X S.A. Espanola de
Lubrificantes, Madrid,
Spain
Gulf Formula GX,
SAE 5W-30 XGulf Oil International,
London, England
Igol Process Compact
P XIgol France, Amiens -
Cedex/France
INA Futura MB XINA Maziva Rijeka,
Rijeka, Croatia
Labo MB 229.5 XFuchs Labo Auto S.A.,
Rueil-Malmaison, France
Liqui Moly Longtime
High Tech XLiqui Moly GmbH, Ulm,
Germany
megol Motorenoel
New Generation XMeguin GmbH & Co. KG
Mineraloelwerke,
Saarlouis, Germany
Midland Crypto 5W-
30 XOel-Brack AG,
Hunzenschwil,
Switzerland
Mobil 1 0W-40 X Exxon Mobil Corporation,
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel
0W-40 X Exxon Mobil Corporation,
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Mobil SHC Formula
MB 5W-30 XExxon Mobil Corporation,
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Motorex Profile M-
XL 5W-30 XBucher AG Langenthal,
Langenthal/Switzerland
Motul 8100 X-max
5W-30 XMotul,
Aubervilliers/France
Motul Specific MB
229.5 5W-30 XMotul,
Aubervilliers/France
OMV full syn MB XOMV Refining &
Marketing GmbH,
Vienna, Austria
OMV full syn plus
SAE 5W-30 XOMV Refining &
Marketing GmbH,
Vienna, Austria
Panolin Exclusive BD XPanolin AG, Madetswil,
Switzerland

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Pennzoil Platinum
European Formula
Ultra XPennzoil-Quaker State,
Houston, Texas 77002,
USA
Pentospeed 0W-30
VS*X Deutsche Pentosin-Werke
GmbH, Wedel, Germany
Petronas Syntium
3000 LL XPetroliam Nasional
Berhad, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Premium Synthetik
Motorenol XDaimlerChrysler AG,
Stuttgart, Germany
Q European Engine
Ultra XPennzoil-Quaker State,
Houston, Texas 77002,
USA
Ravenol HCL 5W-30 XRavensberger
Schmierstoffvertrieb
GmbH, Werther, Germany
REPSOL ELITE
COMMON RAIL
5W30 XRepsol YPF Lubricantes
Especialidades, S.A.,
Mostoles - Madrid/Spain
Shell Helix Ultra AB XShell International
Petroleum Co., London,
England
Statoil LazerWay B
5W-30 XSvenska Statoil AB,
Stockholm, Sweden
Texaco Havoline
Ultra BM 5W-30 XChevronTexaco
Technology Ghent,
Ghent/Zwijnaarde,
Belgium
Tor Synthetic LL XDe Oliebron B.V.,
Zwijndrecht, Netherlands
Total Activa Energy
9000 0W-30X Total Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
Total Quartz 229.5
5W-30 XTotal Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
Total Quartz Energy
9000 0W-30X Total Lubrifiants, Paris la
Defense Cedex, France
Valvoline SynPower
MB XThe Valvoline Company,
Lexington, Kentucky,
USA
Valvoline SynPower
MXL XThe Valvoline Company,
Lexington, Kentucky,
USA
Wintershall ViVA 1
Longlife XSRS Schmierstoffe
Vertrieb GmbH,
Salzbergen, Germany

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GENERAL GEAR OILS - BB00.40-P-0231-00A
General information
The gear oils approved for assemblies installed in MB vehicles are classified according to their application into:
Hypoid gear oils Sheet 235.0/.6/.7/.8/.9.20
Gear oils Sheet 235.1/. 4/. 5/.10/. 11 /. 12/.13/. 15/.27/.61
Automatic transmission fluids (ATF)
Sheets 236.1/.2/.3/.5/.6/.7/.8/ Sheet 236.9/.10/.11/.20/.81
Frequently the "gear 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 and
these are listed on separate sheets of the Specifications for Operating Fluids and explain the large number of
sheets for transmission oils.
The Mercedes-Benz standard for the corresponding lubricant quality and the area of application for assemblies
installed in MB vehicles are documented in the various sheets.
The overviews on Sheets 231.1/.2/.3 provide the allocation of the operating fluid sheets (lubricant quality) to
their use in the respective 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.
Disposal
All approved gear 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.
Yacco VX 1600 XYacco SAS, Saint-Pierre-
les-Elbuf/France

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1. Hypoid gear oils
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 compatibility with radial shaft seals is
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 resultant deposits on the radial shaft seals then generally lead to thermal overload and this in turn
leads to leakage in 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 drive types. Proof of performance that an oil fulfills the
requirements of DaimlerChrysler 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).
1.7 Viscosity requirements
The cold flow behavior is only specified for SAE, ... oils. Here, the limits apply according to SAE J 306
c, according to which the dynamic viscosity may be max. 150,000 mPas at -40°C for oils and at -12°C for
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. The kinematic viscosity at 100°C must be at least 16.5 mm
2 /s.
2. 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 gear drives and roller bearings, the adhesive wear (seizure) and pitting in particular should be
minimized as far as possible.
2.1 Viscosity requirements
The cold flow behavior is only specified for SAE, 80W, ...oils. Here, the limits according to SAE J 306 c
apply, according to which the dynamic viscosity may be max. 150,000 mPas at -40°C for oils, at -26°C
for oils and at -12°C for oils. Due to the formation of deposits in the transmission, the polymer content is
limited to max. 1 percent b
y weight for pour point reducers. Polymers as VI improvers for thickening

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low-viscosity base oils are not permitted. The kinematic viscosity at 100°C 2 must be at least 9.5 mm /s.
In hot zones, gear oils of SAE grade 90 are also permitted.
2.2 Alternative transmission lubricants for commercial vehicle synchromesh transmissions which are
operated with transmission oils as per sheets 235.1, 235.5.
If there are no gear 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 oils of SAE-grade 30 as per sheet 235.12
In tropical climate, engine oils of SAE-grade 40 as per sheet 235.12
2.3 Fully synthetic transmission oil, sheet 235.4
Completely synthetic gear oils are imperative for the Unimog manual transmission UG 3/40, UG 3/65 and
the PTO transmission -as of the vehicle end No. ...179909 -. 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 gear oils correspond to the ZF lubricant specifications TE-ML01 and TE-ML02 and are consequently
alternatives to the gear 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.
2.4 Transmission oils, sheet 235.5
The gear oils are approved for MB and ZF manual transmissions with steel/molybdenum synchronization,
MB and ZF transfer cases and corner gears.
The transmission oils have a low chlorine content as well as a potential for lower oil temperatures under
certain operating conditions.
2.5 Transmission oils, sheet 235.10
The partly synthetic gear oils are approved for the commercial vehicle manual transmission Model
G16/G28, for the passenger vehicle front-wheel-drive manual transmission SG 150/180 (A class) as well
as for all passenger vehicle in-line transmissions of the model series 717.4 as of transmission serial
number 7 340 241.
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 regard to the use in passenger vehicle front-wheel drive manual transmissions/in-line transmissions,
which are also installed in cross-countr
y vehicles, the approved gear oil is usually only used in the event

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of repairs or for service fills.
2.6 Transmission oils, sheet 235.11
The fully synthetic gear 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.
2.7 Engine 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 these Specifications for Operating Fluids.
2.8 Engine oils, sheet 235.27
Commercial vehicle retarder oils: the products listed in the tables apply to commercial vehicle
transmissions: see MB Specifications for Operating Fluids 231.2. The engine oils are suitable for retarder
use. The oils need not comply with the engine Specifications for Operating Fluids 231.2. The engine oils
are suitable for retarder use. The oils need not comply with the engine oil pour point specifications in
these Specifications for Operating Fluids.
3. Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.1/.2/.3/.5/.6/.7/.8/.81/.9/.10/.11/.12/.13/.20
ATFs 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 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 predestines these oils as function fluids for automatic transmissions whose ease of shifting,
among other things, is considerably affected by the friction coefficient of the ATF. 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.
3.1 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 busses except

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W4B035.
3.2 Automatic transmission fluids (ATF), sheet 236.2 , for MB passenger car and commercial vehicle
transmissions with non-ferrous metal synchronization except front-wheel drive manual transmissions of
the A-Class (see Section 2.5, Sheet 235.10), Allison transmission, commercial vehicle power steering,
hydraulic 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
assemblies from wear. The seal compatibility must be ensured with all elastomer materials used.
If the approved ATF are not available, engine oils according to sheet 227.0, SAE 10W or, depending on
the outside temperature, 20W-20 can be used in the above-mentioned synchronized manual transmissions
as a makeshift measure (queries should be directed to the Abt. Betriebstoffe EP/QWB (EP/QWB
Operating Fluids Dept.).
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 mm
2 /s, after shearing
(as per CEC- TLPG 7) at least 6.0 mm
2 s.
3.3 Steering gear oil, 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 of the A-Class, and cross-country vehicles, manual steering L 075 Z for
passenger cars and manual steering in cross-country vehicle.
In the S class W220, in the Power-Pack of the A class as well as in the Transporters T0 and T1N as
of/below outside temperatures of 25°C the hydraulic fluids according to sheet 345.0 must be used.
3.4 Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) and/or engine oils, sheet 236.5 , for Allison transmission HAT
700
The oils listed here correspond to the Allison-C4 specification. Allison automatic transmissions in makes
AT 500, MT 600, S1000, S2000, World Transmission MD 3000, HD 4000 must only be filled with the
oils specified in Sheet 236.9 or TES 295.
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.
Automatic transmissions in the model series CLBT 750 must only ever be filled with oils according to
Sheet 236.5. Under extreme operating conditions or for off-road use and/or with outside temperatures
higher than 30°C an engine oil of SAE grade 30 and/or 15W-40 from Sheet 236.5 should be used.
Depending on the outside temperature during vehicle operation, the oils used must be selected from the
followin
g diagram according to their SAE viscosity class and/or Dexron specification:

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Fig. 644: Automatic Transmission Fluid Sheet
3.5 Automatic transmission fluid (ATF), Sheet 236.6 and 236.7 , for MB automatic transmissions
without regulated torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars and commercial vehicles and buses
(W4B035 only as of major assembly end no. 005733), ZF Ecomat transmissions, Voith-Diwa
transmissions, commercial vehicle and cross-country vehicle power steering systems. If the approved
ATF according to sheet 236.2 are not available, ATF according to sheet 236.6 can be used in
synchronized passenger vehicle manual transmissions, except GL 76/30-5 and GL 275E (the two sports
transmissions always require ATF according to sheet 236.6) as a makeshift measure.
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 mm
2 /s, after
shearing (as per CEC- TLPG 7) at least 6.0 mm
2 /s.
3.6 Automatic transmission fluid (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 regulated 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.
Automatic transmission fluid (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 corresponds to the ZF lubricant specifications TE-ML 09, TE-ML 14 and the Voith
lubricant lists G 607 and G 1363.
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF), Sheet 236.9 , for MB automatic transmissions without regulated
torque converter lockup clutch in passenger cars, ZF Ecomat transmissions, Voith-Diwa transmissions,
Allison transmissions.

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