Tranny fluid question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-09-2003, 10:36 AM

On this 1986 300SDL I picked up last week I have a question regarding the tranny fluid. It doesn't specify in the manual what type of tranny fluid to use. Also, in the service book I can't find any entries for tranny fluid so I've no clue what is in her. Should I assume Dexron/Mercon? Is there any way to tell by color, etc., what is in there now? TIA.

lietuviai · #2 11-09-2003, 12:29 PM

I wouldn't asume anything with MB as they have used various types of ATF over the years. Dexron/Mercon may be a safe assumption since that's what a local dealer told me I can use in my '85 300D. If I were you, I would make a quick call to your local MB dealer's service dept to find out for sure.

turbodiesel · #3 11-09-2003, 12:38 PM

Regular ATF, Dextron/Mercon.

Is your '85 300D smoke silver and did you come take a look at my uncle's black 86 300SDL a few weeks ago?

#4 11-09-2003, 01:08 PM

TD, yes. Did you eventually sell it?

I'm going to call the dealer who serviced this car and see if they have any records still on it. Maybe I'll get lucky.

turbodiesel · #5 11-09-2003, 01:12 PM

It's on ebay again. Where did you get yours?

#6 11-09-2003, 09:06 PM

Down south Jersey....Bayville. I'll be putting up the 300D for sale within a few days. I hate to sell her, but not enough room in the driveway so she's gotta go. Good luck with the auction.

turbodiesel · #7 11-09-2003, 09:09 PM

What would you be looking to get for it? I am looking for another diesel.

Gurkha · #8 11-10-2003, 01:35 AM

You can use either Caxtrol TQ ATF fluid or better yet Mobil-I ATF which offers the best protection and is reccomended by MB.

sixto · #9 11-10-2003, 01:40 AM

I believe the spec is Dexron III/Mercon. Mobil 1 ATF works.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

samiam4 · #10 11-13-2003, 11:42 PM

I'd call your dealer.

"You can use either Caxtrol TQ ATF fluid or better yet Mobil-I ATF which offers the best protection and is reccomended by MB."

This advice is WRONG. Neither of these products is approved by MBUSA. Not to say that they are not good products... but why not use approved fluids??

Michael

Gurkha · #11 11-14-2003, 04:27 AM

It is funny to see that MB here in India put a sticker on their tranny declaring Mobil-I ATF used, MB is also exclusively using Mobil-I engine oil for their gas and diesel engine.

samiam4 · #12 11-14-2003, 01:48 PM

Where do you get your rummored information?

Yes MBUSA suggests for dealerships to use mobil-1. But actually, they publish an approved oil list. Interestingly, there are many oils on the 229.3 spec list.

Go to the M-Class page by wolfgang. He's got MB's oil spec on it. By the way, you will note that at the bottom it has "new fill oils" and there is NO mobil-1 coming from the factory in their oil pans. That was a urban legend started by Marshall Booth.

Mobil-1 transmission fluid is NOT approved. Detron III/Merc for early transmissions. MB specialty fluid for late models.

Cannot comment on the India Mercedes market. Just USA!

Michael

sixto · #13 11-14-2003, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by samiam4
Mobil-1 transmission fluid is NOT approved. Detron III/Merc for early transmissions.

Michael,

Where does it say Mobil 1 ATF is not approved?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

samiam4 · #14 11-14-2003, 06:38 PM

It was from Stu Ritter's copy of MBUSA's approved lubricants.

Call MBUSA and ask for the technical department. Then ask for a copy of the currently approved coolant and lubricants.

I hear lots of ppl using M-1 transmission fluid. It maybe a great product, my point was pivoting on what was approved. I've gotten really long life out of my 722.1XX and 722.2XX transmissions following factory information. Hope I got the transmission series correct...

For the 1986-1995 E class, MB recommends mercedes 001 989 21 03 Detron III/Mercron ATF.

Michael

rickjordan · #15 11-14-2003, 07:50 PM

Unless MB has published a new list, Mobil or Mobil 1 ATF is NOT one of the 12 approved brands. As surprising as that may be, it is true. Mobil 1 motor oil is recommended for FSS cars, but not their ATF. The following are approved ATFs unless specificlly stated in your mowner's manual to ONLY use MB tranny fluid.
As written in the MB Approved Service Products List:
Castrol Dextron-III/Mercon ATF F-30341
Castrol Transmax M-22257/22096
Chevron ATF Dextron III F-30108/30159
Exxon Superflo ATF Dextron III F-30111
Havoline ATF Dextron III/ Mercon F-30321
Texaco ATF Dextron III/Mercon F-30321
Pennzoil ATF D-22413/ F-30110
Quaker State Dextron III/Mercon F30161
Sunoco ATF Dextron-III/Mercon F-30176
Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF D-22413/22431
Valvoline ATF Type D
Again, Mobil is not listed in any way, shape, or form.