What type of transmission fluid do you use? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel Dan · #1 08-21-2006, 10:37 AM

There has been considerable discussion of motor oil types, but my search of the forum archives yielded less discussion of transmission fluid.

All I found is that some people use the "official" MB fluid, and others use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF fluid. Are there other fluid types to choose from? How about non-sythetic alternatives to the standard MB fluid? What rating does the fluid need to have in order to be okay for the Mercedes?

By the way, I will be changing the fluid on a 1987 300D, if that matters.

Thanks,
Dan

sixto · #2 08-21-2006, 11:29 AM

Any Dexron III or Mercon fluid will work. Even Dexron II for that vintage MB but I don't think it's widely available.

Sixto
93 300SD

carnut · #3 08-21-2006, 12:56 PM

I use Dextron/Mercon 5. full synthetic.

pawoSD · #4 08-21-2006, 02:42 PM

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF, it made a big difference and I will keep using it forever.

Hit Man X · #5 08-21-2006, 04:04 PM

Cheapo DexIII/Mercon.

dieseldiehard · #6 08-21-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Dan

There has been considerable discussion of motor oil types, but my search of the forum archives yielded less discussion of transmission fluid.

All I found is that some people use the "official" MB fluid, and others use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF fluid. Are there other fluid types to choose from? How about non-sythetic alternatives to the standard MB fluid? What rating does the fluid need to have in order to be okay for the Mercedes?

By the way, I will be changing the fluid on a 1987 300D, if that matters.

Thanks,
Dan

Some members get excited when another oil thread gets started but it doesn't bother me. I am using Mobil 1 ATF in my favorite '87 300D. It had a rebuilt transmission. The other diesel is getting plain Dexron III. I can't say I notice any difference whatsoever but I wanted to baby the '87 and I won't change the fluid for perhaps 4 years because we don't drive that car very much so I'll get a lot of time out of a transmission service!

JamesDean · #7 08-21-2006, 07:04 PM

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF...~$5/qt.

sailor15015 · #8 08-21-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF, it made a big difference and I will keep using it forever.

Same here. $6 a quart times 6 or 7 quarts is $42 a year, max. Dirt cheap compared to the $1300 the p/o payed to have the tranny rebuilt on the '84. Granted, however, that since it was done at around 120k miles, the problem was more likely a miss-diagnosed vacuum problem because it had been taken in a couple of times before with a complaint of "hard shifting".

rudolfgreen · #9 08-21-2006, 08:23 PM

AMSoil synthetic, a noticable improvement..

Hatterasguy · #10 08-21-2006, 09:05 PM

I use Mobil 1 ATF.

If your going with regular fluid, use what ever DexIII/Mercon is cheaper. I used Autozone's house brand for a bit. They are all about the same, not changing it is what causes problems.

IndianaJo · #11 08-22-2006, 07:11 AM

The transmission shop I worked in for 5 months put Dexron 3 in Mercedes, just like everything else. It was a premium shop, good reputation in town. Neither of the mercedes I r&r'd had burned fluid, just trash from worn clutches& bands. You can smell burned fluid, it's stinko. If a car doesn't burn the Fluid (modern GM's do), and the car hasn't been driven through high water, I not sure why to change the fluid ever, except 3 months before you rebuild the transmission because the clutches are worn out. Most burned fluid (not GM) is caused by worn out clutches and slipping.

Rudolphrocks · #12 08-22-2006, 01:33 PM

Royal purple MAX ATF 8.14 a qt. Good stuff and its purple!!

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nokileka · #13 08-22-2006, 02:58 PM

ATF Type Ford is good for really hard shifts. Big improvement compared to ATF Dextron III. Can help even worn out clutches to handle some more mileage.