Well I just changed the ATF and filter in my 300SD using Thomaspin lazy man's guide. I was going to skip draining the torque converter because it looked like a PITA. However I had my son slide under on a piece of cardboard and look for the 5mm allen screw while I hand cranked the engine. I'm glad I did as it probably had 2 quarts in there. Used MB ATF oil and glad it's done, this was a tiring job down under. Now I'll have to tune the auto trans as my car feels sluggish because the trans shifts too early.

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85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

To my knowledge, MB ONLY sells synthetic ATF which is REQUIRED for the 722.6 trannys like in your ML - but this is NOT recommended for use in your SD. I would the fluid and use Dexron III fluid before adjusting your tranny shifting cables, linkage, or vacuum.

HTH,

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Brian Toscano

I think you'll be OK with synthethic ATF in your older tranny. In fact I think you'll love it. I have had synthethic ATF (Redline) in both my cars for a a couple of years now and I'll never go back to regular ATF. My cars shift better when cold and after about 10,000 miles of use, both trannies where smoother than when I started. Not trying to start a big debate here (again) but don't panic and drain the tranny. If you're concerned, call the dealer first and see if he thinks it's a problem.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

I use synthetic fluid in my tranny too. But I use synthetic that is rated for Dexron III. The MB syn fluid does not carry this specification.

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Brian Toscano

It's actually Bilstein ATF that I used.

md21722 wanted to say that Mercedes' synthetic ATF for 722.6 transmission is not DEXRON III-compatible, so it may cause problems (like slipping etc...) with older transmissions which are designed to use DEXRON II/DEXRON III compatible ATF.

Most of the synthetic ATF you bought in retail stores are
DEXRON-III-compatible.