Currently have mobil one synthetic fluid in my 86 300sdl transmission, I have read that it is no longer recommended for our older cars.

Is this fluid ok to use:

1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL Base Sedan - Automatic Transmission - Page 1

Does the 300sdl use the 722.3xx? If so doesn't it just require plain DEX III?

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Yes but you cant get dex III anymore, they say its backward compatible but the new fluid is thinner.

Just find whatever is the current replacement for DexIII/Mercon, fill it up and motor on. Cheapest stuff I run in the cars that leak. Usually from Autozone or Walmart. No issues.

Chances are the thing leaks anyway due to age... pump bushing, converter seal, bowden cable o-rings, B1/2 servo covers, etc, etc, etc. 30 year old seals do not retain fluids.

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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]

dexron VI replaced all previous dexron fluids, its a good fluid - remains liquid at pretty low temperatures and has better traction for the clutches (more bite - less slushing)

If you are looking for a fluid close to the old Dexron III formulation and characteristics then Ford Mercon V is pretty close to it. Allison transmission also have two oil ratings, one of which is actually the old dexron III-H formula - TES-389 rating is dexron III-H, The absolute pinnacle of the dexron III type ATF is the TES-295 - but its cost prohibitive in an old transmission, it retails for about 50 dollars a gallon.

Some people love to use swepco ATF in their autoboxes - its pretty stout ATF and the one thign I like about it is how clean it keeps the transmission, It also has the right amount of friction in the shifting of our old units, firm but not bumpy.

All in all its not too special in our old benz transmissions - anything from your autoparts store will work very nicely if you change it out every 20,000 miles.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)