The Mercedes 722.8 CVT, or Autotronic CVT, was assembled at a plant in Germany from 2004 to 2012 and installed in the second-generation A-Class and the platform-sharing B-Class compact van. This is Mercedes’ first and last attempt at creating a continuously variable transmission.
Specifications
| Type | CVT (continuously variable transmission) |
| Number of gears | ∞ |
| Type of drive | front |
| Engine volume, l | up to 2.0 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 300 |
| Recommended oil | ATF MB 236.20 |
| Oil capacity, liter | 6.5 |
| Partial replacement, liter | 4.0 6.0 with drain from torque converter |
| Maintenance | every 50 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~250 000 km |
| Weight, kg | 95 |
In 2004, Mercedes engineers developed a CVT specifically for the second-generation A-Class, designed for front-wheel-drive vehicles with a transverse engine. This was a typical continuously variable automatic transmission of the time, with a push-belt transmission, a rotary oil pump, and a chain-driven oil pump, capable of handling 300 Nm of torque.
Gear ratios Mercedes 722.8
Using the example of a 2010 Mercedes B150 with a 1.5 liter engine:
| Main | 4.22 |
| Range | 2.72 – 0.42 |
| Reverse | 4.86 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- Mercedes A-Class W169 in 2004 – 2012;
- Mercedes B-Class W245 in 2005 – 2011.
Disadvantages of the Mercedes 722.8 gearbox
- The most common problem with this CVT is control board failure, as it is located inside the transmission housing and suffers greatly from overheating. Malfunctions due to metal shavings sticking to the speed sensors are also common.
- This transmission is sensitive to oil cleanliness, and if it is changed less than every 50,000 km, the valve body quickly becomes clogged with wear debris, which can lead to cracks in the housing. A clogged valve body also reduces the bearing life, down to 100,000 km.
- Like all Mercedes automatic transmissions, this CVT has a very reliable mechanical component, but only with sufficient lubrication pressure in the system, and leaks are common. Low oil levels can result in both scuffing and a broken belt.
