well, i need to work on my tranny.... and i dont have the 50 bucks to get
mobil 1 atf.... so i am going to buy normal transmission fluid... does any one have any sugestions...

i have a 1983 300sd... what type does it take... dextron or aft....

any suggestions..

I've been using the Dexron in both the SD and the SDL. You'll be fine with that.

Dex III, I use the cheapest I can find. Haven't had a problem in easily 100K miles+ combined with the vehicles.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

If money is an object, a store brand DEXRON III will work just fine. Usually cheaper by the gallon.

My view is you can't take it with you, yet I'm frugal with my purchases. I do exactly what was by tangofox007, by the gallon is the way to fly. With motor oil too.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

ok, i do have about 3 qts of mobil 1 atf laying around...
what if i mixxed it with dex iii.... what do you think...

I wouldn't mix the two. Either go with the dex III or purchase some additional Mobil 1 if your feeling spendy this week.

I didn't want to pay the $50 for the Mobil 1 either but it:

-Runs smoother
-Shifts Better (nice firm shifts now)
-Works great even from startup in subzero temps (shifting waaay more responsive/quick than on DEXIII in the cold)
-rarely have to top it off.....when I ran DexIII I had to add about 1/2 a qt a month to keep it up at full.....it doesn't leak (all new seals 2yrs ago...so I have no idea where it went) but on Synthetic I have to add about 3/4 of a quart every 6-7 months or so......
-Probably better for the tranny overall, keeps it clean, probably lubricates better
-Slightly extended change intervals......

So I am glad I shoveled it over and went with it.

Then again I spend pretty much all my income on my car.....but thats just me

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I was an installer for a major transmission chain many years ago. All they use is drum oil. I was told dextron is thicker than type F. Also, transmission fluid level should stay the same. The only way it drops is from a leak onto the ground, into the radiator from the cooler, or through a vacuum line from a ruptured modulator diaphram. Best overall maintenance IMHO is scheduled fluid changes & no abuse. Enjoy, Paul.

__________________
1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

Drum oil?

I'd just buy some extra mobil 1. I just changed over a couple of weeks ago and I do notice smoother shifts and maybe a bit more power. I used 6.75 qts to refill on the SDL after draining tranny, torque converter and changing filter. I don't know if the trannys are the same on the SD and SDL. I paid about $6/qt at advance auto so you shouldn't be out too much if you just buy some extra. If you're changing the filter have some towels handy - it's quite a lot of atf that stays in the pan and then proceeds to try and find your floor.

__________________
-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Wow, low$$ Oils big tag for repairs?
Go on line Google or Yahoo - look on MB recommended ATF - you can see all
Use ATF from Shell.
The best one is from MB ATF - Oil from the Auto transmission maker.
You can get on line.

Chances are if you did an analysis on the cheapo stuff I use versus the high dollar dino, it'd be the same. I've had no problems what-so-ever with the cheap stuff. We're talking THOUSANDS of miles here combined in vehicles.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

An oil truck delivered trans fluid into our 275 gal. above ground tank. Too slow & costly to open quart cans for a high volume business. Never a problem with the fluid. Paul.

__________________
1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

ok these 123 cars are at the newest 21 years old & the oldest 30 years old. The trannys have never been noted as a weak point (most people still are running on the original tranny). So why would anyone want to switch to synthetic now? Is 20+ years of service & still running good a statement why regular dex 2 or dex 3 is now junk?

Buy whatever brand you like your tranny can handle it.