Greetings!

I'm looking for the exact factory recommended specification of ATF for my 1984 300D Automatic. Type _ Suffix _ ATF made by Shell as an example. I was able to source the exact ATF for my W115 manual transmission - Type A Suffix A and am now looking to replace the W123 as well.

https://www.lubefinder.com will likely sell this in 1L bottles.

Many thanks!

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html

The sponsor of this forum has a YouTube video at this site:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3GgjAi6kc

Then, you can probably find the compatable fluid with the MB fluid.

You can visit this site for a long list of comparable fluids:

https://mercedesforum.com/forum/general-tech-5/correct-transmissi-n-fluid-300d-460/

Febi 08971 is close to what was originally manufactured in the 70s and 80s for W123s. https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/en_US/article/febi/08971

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I have used Dexron III ATF in my 1985 300D for years with no problems whatsoever. Recommended by my local Mercedes independent shop.

On the suggestion of my buddy who is an M-B factory trained Mechanic & indie shop owner, I use the Valvoline Dexron stuff, he says the M-B dealer stuff is better but that's out of my budget .

Twenty years of hard driving o new and rebuilt 722. slushboxes, no problems yet .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I didn't realize the dealer still sells ATF for the W123, if thats what you're saying? If so, I can just get it there...

The TYPE A SUFFIX A (TASA) ATF recommended for the W115 manual transmission is not available from the dealer in 1L quantities anymore.

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html

Dexron 3 (no longer made) today's equivalent is DEX-MERC (says it's compatible with Dexron 3)

I have the same transmission in my 300SE and that's what I've been using for years without problems

If its Dexron III then the factory recommended specification should be MB 236.1?

it is still sold:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dexron-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-Litres/dp/B015UQYDQA/ref=asc_df_B015UQYDQA/

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

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From:
Mercedes-Benz Factory Approved Service Products August 2007
Order No. S-0473-08B (8/07)

Page 7:
"Approved Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid 1
Castrol Dexron-III/Mercon ATF F-30341
Castrol Transmax M-22257/22096
Chevron ATF Dexron III F-30108/30159
Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF D-21571
Exxon Superflo ATF Dexron III F-30111
Havoline ATF Mercon/Dexron-III F-30321
Texaco ATF Mercon/Dexron-III F-30321
Pennzoil ATF D-22413/F-30110
Quaker State Dexron-III/Mercon F30161
Sunoco ATF Dexron-III/Mercon F-30176
Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF D-22413/22431
Valvoline ATF Type D

"1 Please see your Mercedes-Benz Center regarding applications. Do not use in 722.6 or 722.9 transmission!"

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Marshall Welch
Seattle, WA
1982 300D-T

Just slam some atf in that *****. U wanna get fancy go-to Napa and get the **** that the label is in German. Done.

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I forgot you're in the UK. I haven't seen dexron 3 sold here for years and even if you go to the US amazon it's almost non existant.


Also is your 1984 300D a euro without a turbo? In that case your transmission model is 722.4 I believe. Different from mine (and a US 84 300D had 722.3) but still I believe it's using Dexron 3 or equivalent.

Cheers! Yes, its an 1984 NA 300D Auto. I can find atleast 2 brands that sell it here.

I'm not entirely convinced that Dexron III equivalent is actually as good as the original but I'm aware that's an entirely separate debate!

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

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Based upon what rationale would dex II not be as good as Dex III?

Dexron history is here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON#1973_%E2%80%93_DEXRON-II(C)

And more importantly, the Dexron spec archives (not explicitly called Dexron II, III and IIIH, because those do not exist any longer) are on pages 32-39 here:

https://www.aftonchemical.com/Afton/media/PdfFiles/Specification_Handbook.pdf

My observation is that going from Dex II to III ensured more objective test result analyses, better viscosity retention, and less oxidative thickening that affects cold flow pumpability.

I dont see any downside to Dex III from Dex II.

I recall that Dex III H was a 100k mile "lifetime" fluid when it came out. I havent looked in there at the details and deltas for IIIH. Since each Dex III was backwards compatible, I suspect that all the Dex/Merc type fluids out there comply with IIIH.

But again, not seeing a good rationale for why II would be better. Dexron IIE put in place shift timing tests, which indicated that the friction characteristics should be the same. See attached. Unless someone can come up with a rationale as to why the older pre-IIE specs are better for non-electronic controlled ATs, Im just not seeing any basis. The newer fluids should have superior add packs oxidative and viscosity stability, etc.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

Good info.

Post #9 is good too

So to summarize: You can either use Dexron 3 or Dex-Merc.

Dexron 3 came out in 1993 so if you want to be really original you can go online and find some 40 year old cans of Dexron 2 and put that in

Got it! Now that this has been sorted, I've read incredibly positive reviews of Redline D4 and Amsoil ATF. Both specifically list compatibility with Dexron II, III, 236.X etc.

I would never use synthetic in my motor but am considering using it in my transmission and differential.

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html