2019 Freightliner M2 106 Fluid Type Specs

Maintaining your 2019 Freightliner M2 106 with the correct fluids is crucial for its longevity, performance, and compliance with warranty requirements. This guide provides a comprehensive list of all factory-spec fluids for your truck, including types, specifications, and capacities.

Quick reference

Fluid	Type/Spec	Capacity
Engine Oil	Varies by engine	Varies by engine
Engine Coolant	OAT (Organic Acid Technology)	Varies by engine and radiator
Transmission Fluid	Varies by transmission	Varies by transmission
Differential Gear Oil	Varies by axle and application	Varies by axle
Brake Fluid	DOT 4	Consult owner's manual
Power Steering Fluid	Dexron III / Allison C4	Consult owner's manual
Washer Fluid	Commercial washer fluid	1-2 gallons (approx.)
Diesel Exhaust Fluid	ISO 22241 (API DEF certified)	Typically 10-20 gallons (approx.)

Engine Oil

The 2019 Freightliner M2 106 can come equipped with various Cummins or Detroit Diesel engines, each with specific oil requirements. It is imperative to consult your owner's manual or the engine manufacturer's guidelines for the exact oil type, viscosity, and API specification.

Generally, modern heavy-duty diesel engines, such as those found in the M2 106, require oils meeting specific API standards for diesel engines (e.g., API CK-4 or API FA-4, depending on the engine and emissions system), and often OEM-specific certifications. Viscosity will also vary based on ambient operating temperatures, but common choices include 10W-30 or 15W-40.

Common Pitfalls:

• Using gasoline engine oil: Never use oils designed for gasoline engines in a diesel engine. They lack the necessary additives for the higher pressures, temperatures, and soot generation of diesel engines.
• Incorrect viscosity: Using an oil with the wrong viscosity can lead to increased wear during cold starts or inadequate protection at high operating temperatures.
• Ignoring OEM specifications: Always adhere to the engine manufacturer's specific certifications to ensure proper lubrication and to maintain warranty validity.

Intervals: Oil change intervals for heavy-duty trucks can vary significantly based on engine type, duty cycle, oil analysis results, and operating conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended service intervals.

Engine Coolant

Freightliner typically specifies an Organic Acid Technology (OAT) extended-life coolant for the M2 106. These coolants are generally red, orange, or sometimes purple, and offer long service intervals. It's crucial to use a heavy-duty, silicate-free, phosphate-free, and nitrite-free OAT formulation that meets industry standards such as ASTM D6210.

Common Pitfalls:

• Mixing coolant types: Never mix OAT coolant with conventional (green) coolants or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) coolants. Mixing can lead to chemical incompatibilities, additive drop-out, gel formation, and significantly reduced corrosion protection, potentially causing severe engine damage.
• Using automotive coolant: Automotive coolants are not formulated to withstand the demanding conditions and component materials of heavy-duty diesel engines.
• Ignoring concentration: Always maintain the proper coolant-to-distilled water ratio, typically 50/50, to ensure adequate freeze protection and corrosion inhibition.

Intervals: OAT coolants can offer extended service life, often several years or hundreds of thousands of miles. However, regular testing of the coolant's condition and additive levels is recommended.

Transmission Fluid

The M2 106 can be equipped with various transmissions, including Eaton Fuller manual transmissions, Allison automatic transmissions, or other automated manual transmissions. Each requires a specific fluid.

• Allison Automatic Transmissions: Most Allison transmissions, especially those in the M2 106, will specify Allison TES-295 or Allison TES-389 (for older models, although TES-295 is often backward compatible and superior). TES-295 fluids are synthetic and offer extended drain intervals.
• Eaton Fuller Manual Transmissions: These often require a specific synthetic gear lubricant, such as an SAE 50 synthetic transmission fluid that meets Eaton's PS-164 or PS-386 specifications. Never use engine oil or standard gear oil in these transmissions unless explicitly specified by Eaton.

Common Pitfalls:

• Universal ATF: Do not use