Another myth. Can closed.

Meaning what?

Most of the cars on the road use gasoline. What does that mean relative to a diesel vehicle?

I have valvoline clear PS fluid in my SDL. The return hose is weeping ever so slightly.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Same,

The SDL got the PS fluid a few years ago.

The pump leaks all over the place.

My pump is fairly new & leak free so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. I changed the fluid out in 08 when I got the car... but that was only 11k miles ago

-J

I am getting ready to change the (probably original) fluid in my power steering, and every thread about this topic ends up in nothing but an argument about ATF versus "power steering fluid" with no definitive answer so I am confused. I was planning on using the same ATF as I put in my transmission. The (probably original) fluid in my reservoir appears to be ATF. it is red and slippery like ATF.
Here is what my (original to the car) owner's manual says:


and here is what the Mercedes factory maintenance manual specifies:

What's the confusion?

You have ATF in the vehicle and the manual specifies ATF...............

Some brands of power steering fluid are red.

But Bubba down at the barber shop says he uses....!!!

yes, i am capable of reading what the owner's manual says. at this time, my system has no leaks, and i would very much like to keep it that way. i also desperately need to change the fluid and filter sooner than later.
the confusion lies in my previous statement:
"every thread about this topic ends up in nothing but an argument about ATF versus "power steering fluid" with no definitive answer"
if this were such a cut and dry issue, there wouldn't be so many threads, with such strong opinions on both sides, about using ATF versus PS fluid. there is considerable debate and rather informed discussion from both sides of the fence, particularly in older threads where Type F is discussed, and reformulation of ATF versus what ATF was back in the 80's (or earlier).
i get the general impression that it is a hit or miss proposition to put either one in the system, because either one can or can not contribute to leaking.
if current versions of ATF were the ONLY thing to put in, then there should be a more of a "don't use PS fluid" sentiment, and vise versa.
i just called a couple local parts supply places to try to find the Mobil ATF 200, as specified by the previously posted MB spec link. nobody, not even the Mobil distributor, knew what i was asking for.
i think i might just take the advice posted in a previous argumentative thread about which fluid to use, and just go to the MB dealer and buy whatever the parts guy wants to sell me for this application from them.

some more light reading on this subject, just from the Diesel section.
What Power Steering Fluid are you running on your older MB?
What's the Best Power Steering Fluid?
Power Steering Flush Fluid?
Power Steering Fluid/ATF Question
atf or power steering fluid?
Power Steering Fluid--Need to Be Replaced?

The pictures of the maintenance manual in post 20 indicate to use 236.2 or 237.

The first link in this post clearly indicate that 236.2 is ATF type A. I have no idea what 237 is, maybe someone else knows.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Are you saying that Dexron is still being made? Last I heard, they had stopped licensing it. I would like to find some for my fleet, but nowadays it's harder to find than type A.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

The license for Dexron III expired. Dexron III was superseded by Dexron VI, which GM claims to be backwards compatible. There are plenty of companies still claiming to sell Dexron III equivalent ATF, not specifically labeled as "Dexron III."

I think the premise of the question is valid: ATF is recommended, but what kind?

There is sufficient misinformation and the manuals aren't clear. For example, the Haynes manual states ATF Type F, with the obligatory asterisk to consult the dealer. The FSM's state "ATF" but don't specify a type except for the code. The fact it's a code isn't really clear since it appears to point to "page 236.2" or "page 237" and not "see the specs page", type 236.2.

The link for type A is promising, but those are lots of obscure brands. What to do?

Okay, there are other sources. In 2004 (before the GM license for Dexron III was not renewed), the following were recommended types of Dexron III (here: http://www.billsden.org/fileadmin/media/mercedes/slk/docs/man_svc_products_2005.pdf)

It includes some non-Dexron brands like "Valvoline Type D" so using a Dexron-specific labelled product may not be critical. But most of those aren't made anymore, at least not under that name/spec.

Most important may be "what properties of the fluid are important for its use?" You've got friction additives, viscosities, base fluids, etc. For the PS application you worry about pump seals, hoses, steering gear seals, and metal-metal friction. And I'm sure there are other obscure considerations like flash-point.

Then you could add in the possibilty that your steering gear or P/S pump may have been repaired using non-OE grade rubber seals. Oh no! Are the new seals compatible with the spec'd fluid?

I looked up info on differences in ATF. Here's one, there are others.

Brief History of ATFs - Bob Is The Oil Guy

So, Dexron "based" ATF's are probably the way to go. Specifically, Valvoline Maxlife ATF says it meets MB 236.2; and it's the follow-on to Dexron III. There are others, some state they are synthetic blends. If leaks are really a concern, maybe avoid those.

The Bob is the Oil Guy link gives an interesting chronology.

Dexron II first appeared in 1973. The MB maintenance manual from 1981 mentions type A Suffix A.

123's first roamed the earth around 1976. Dexron II was available at that time, yet MB apparently preferred something else as PS fluid.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Meaning that there is nothing different or special about a Mercedes power steering system vice all the others. Now that I think about it, the only major power steering leak I've ever had was on that Lincoln with the Type F.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.